Concerted public and private efforts are safeguarding vulnerable marine ecosystems.
A research vessel collects data about dissolved oxygen levels, underwater noise and microplastics and other waste for Kuroshio Ocean Education Foundation based in the eastern county of Hualien. (Photo courtesy of Kuroshio Ocean Education Foundation)
Having grown up in the stunning coastal environs of eastern Taiwan’s Hualien County, Lin Dong-liang (林東良) has always felt drawn to the sea. It is only natural, then, that he has dedicated his life to deepening his understanding of marine ecology. With an eye toward expanding his knowledge on the subject, Lin completed a tour guide training program through Hualien-based Kuroshio Ocean Education Foundation (KOEF) in 2008 and has since taken on the roles of volunteer, instructor, project manager and director. Today he serves as chief executive officer (CEO) of the foundation.
Established in 1998 as the country’s first marine conservation group, KOEF is committed to inspiring love and respect for the ocean through environmental education, research and science-based advocacy. Over the years, the nonprofit has coordinated an array of activities for the public while tracking dissolved oxygen levels; microplastics and other waste; underwater noise; and cetacean species, behavior and population statistics.
“Taiwan is blessed with abundant ecological variety,” Lin said. “The study of sea creatures like dolphins and whales is of utmost importance because they’re indicators of marine ecosystem health.” Multitudes of migratory animals travel along the warm Kuroshio current that flows up Taiwan’s east coast, according to Lin. Combined with the deep waters off the shore, the area provides the ideal environment for dolphins and whales, which explains why about a third of the world’s 90 cetacean species have been spotted there.
Government agencies and local businesses are promoting responsible whale watching tours as part of efforts to boost ecotourism and environmental education. (Photo courtesy of Ocean Conservation Administration)
In 1990, the animal order was listed as protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act promulgated in 1989 with the aim of preserving biodiversity and maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Despite this, cetaceans are still exposed to a range of human-induced threats such as boat engines, fishing nets and pollution, the CEO said. “Plastic waste is particularly alarming as it has infiltrated marine environments across the entire globe, even deep-sea habitats,” Lin said. “It’s essential to raise awareness of the issue, but at the same time we need pragmatic solutions.”
The CEO is heartened to see a growing number of enterprises, local government agencies and nongovernmental organizations (NGO) join the global campaign to organize beach cleanups and strengthen the public’s understanding of the far-reaching consequences of ocean debris. Companies are increasingly sponsoring the projects of environmental groups as a form of corporate social responsibility, he said. In terms of public-private cooperation, KOEF and academic and research institutions across the country have cooperated with the Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA) under the Cabinet-level Ocean Affairs Council on numerous related projects, underscoring the government’s staunch commitment to preserving the health of the seas.
Safe Haven
According to OCA Director-General Huang Hsiang-wen (黃向文), over 15,000 marine species have been recorded in Taiwan’s surrounding waters, with the country posting a biodiversity score of 93 out of 100 in the Ocean Health Index, compared with the global average of 86. Contributing to this variety is the large assortment of ecosystems in the area, including coral reefs, deep-sea habitats, estuaries, mangroves and seagrass beds.
Despite the country’s excellent biodiversity score, several studies have reported sharp declines in marine life populations, Huang said, adding that the numbers highlight the urgent need for action. To this end, the OCA is holding awareness campaigns, conducting scientific studies, designating protected areas, implementing conservation regulations and establishing partnerships with the private sector.
Case in point is the Chinese white dolphin, also known as the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin or Sousa chinensis. The population has dropped to around 60 due to industrial development, pollution, reduced food sources, water activities and underwater noise. The Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture declared the dolphins endangered in 2008 and announced plans to protect them, calling for the establishment of a marine sanctuary, long-term monitoring of their numbers and reduction of human interference in 2014.
Nearly 3,000 diving professionals are enlisted by the Ocean Conservation Administration to help remove marine debris. (Photo courtesy of OCA)
The sanctuary proposal initially encountered strong objections from the industrial and fishing sectors, but through the OCA’s tireless efforts to negotiate with fishers’ associations and local communities, the regulation finally took effect in September 2020. It is now a major wildlife habitat covering an area of 763 square kilometers stretching from waters off the northern county of Miaoli down to the western county of Yunlin. “The creation of the wildlife sanctuary for the Chinese white dolphin marked another important step forward in our commitment to environmental stewardship both at sea and on shore,” the director-general said. “We’ll continue integrating public and private resources with cross-departmental capabilities to carry out a broad range of conservation projects.”
Joining Forces
As of 2020, 44 protected marine areas in Taiwan encompass 5,304 square kilometers, accounting for about 8 percent of the country’s ocean area. In addition to establishing preserves, the OCA conducts surveys on biodiversity hotspots, water quality and marine animals including birds, cetaceans, fish and turtles. To carry out these tasks, the administration enlists nearly 3,000 diving professionals.
Community engagement can significantly help bolster the effectiveness of such efforts, Huang said. For this reason, her administration launched a locally led marine conservation project in 2020 promoting environmental protection, habitat restoration and citizen science, the latter of which solicits public participation in the design, observation and analysis of scientific research. The initiative is already paying dividends, with the number of groups involved in conservation jumping from 18 in nine cities and counties to 38 in 14 cities and counties since it began.
Among the OCA’s cooperation partners is the Taiwan Environmental Information Association (TEIA) based in Taipei City. Since its founding in 2001, the association has worked to monitor and assess marine litter and coral reef health while offering EcoDiver training and certification courses developed by U.S.-headquartered Reef Check Foundation. Courses are designed to empower ocean enthusiasts to take an active role in preserving the oceans.
Divers certified by Taiwan Environmental Information Association establish a comprehensive coral reef monitoring network spanning Taiwan proper and its outlying islands. (Photo courtesy of Shieh Hyee-sin)
TEIA Deputy Secretary-General Sun Hsiu-ju (孫秀如) said her organization started conducting coral assessments in 2009 using in-situ surveys of benthic habitats. “While enjoying the beauty of the underwater world, volunteer divers can contribute a great deal to coral reef protection,” Sun said. “Their observations provide baseline information for government policymaking and allow scientists to assess the status of the reef ecosystem over time.”
Like KOEF, TEIA is concerned about ocean waste and seeks to close the information gap on the precise distribution, quantities and sources of marine plastic. Beach cleanups organized by the association over the years have attracted more than 4,000 volunteers, collecting tons of debris as well as valuable data used in educational programs and targeted pollution prevention initiatives.
A hand-drawn illustration by artist Lin Song-lin depicts the diversity of marine life and habitats in Taiwan. (Photo courtesy of Taiwan Environmental Information Association)
“Given that plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats to our oceans, we’re advocating action by waging public information campaigns and actively engaging in the policymaking process,” the deputy secretary-general said. “We aim to help the government realize its ambitious goal of phasing out all single-use plastic by 2030.” TEIA has been closely collaborating with the Cabinet-level Environmental Protection Administration and other NGOs to formulate a two-pronged approach reducing societal reliance on plastic and removing it from the environment at the end of its life cycle.
As a maritime country and responsible member of the international community, Taiwan has a crucial role to play in safeguarding ocean life. “Working in tandem with environmental organizations, local governments and members of the public, we’re making steady progress on conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources,” the OCA’s Huang said. “It’s our duty to advance ocean sustainability for the benefit of life on this planet for generations to come.”
Write to Kelly Her at kher@mofa.gov.tw