After a decade of preparatory work, the Cabinet-level Ocean Affairs Council was launched in April 2018, and is taking the lead in transforming Taiwan into a true maritime nation.
The OAC, based in the southern port city of Kaohsiung, implements regulatory frameworks to transform the country, as well as consolidates the work of over 20 central government organizations into one policymaking body.
During the OAC’s opening ceremony, President Tsai Ing-wen said its formation was an indication of government determination to concentrate on marine affairs stemming from consensus that the ocean is a critical resource in Taiwan’s sustainable development.
Patrol vessels by the Coast Guard Administration are front and center at safeguarding Taiwan’s sovereignty and fishing rights. (Courtesy of CGA)
A raft of regulations has since been promulgated to safeguard the country’s marine rights and interests while promoting related industries. These include the Ocean Basic Act, National Ocean Policy White Paper and Salute to the Seas initiative encouraging the people to understand and engage with the ocean.
According to OAC Deputy Minister Tsai Ching-piao, Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone covers five times the area of its landmass. It is imperative to amass data on current conditions in the country’s ocean territories in terms of environmental conservation, scientific research and threats to public security, he said.
As part of charting this course, he said the OAC is conducting a comprehensive survey of the country’s marine areas while exchanging information with like-minded partners such as Australia, Japan and the U.S.
Aspiring sailors try their hands at Bali Ferry of Tamsui District in New Taipei City. (Photo/Jimmy Lin)
Case in point is a memorandum of understanding concluded last March between Taiwan and the U.S. on forming a coast guard working group to protect maritime resources, combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and conduct joint search and rescue operations.
Tsai said exchanges and cooperative efforts are also ongoing with Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, through dialogue and reciprocal visits. Connections with the OAC’s counterparts in Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam continue to deepen via memorandums of understanding and Taiwan’s membership in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, he added.
Another critical element of ocean governance involves the rapidly expanding renewable energy sector. The OAC has been working to facilitate exchange of knowledge and expertise on offshore wind power development with countries like France, Germany, the Netherlands and the U.K.
Public facilities such as the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology in Keelung City, northern Taiwan is playing a key role in enhancing public affinity with the ocean. (Photo/Chen Mei-ling)
Chiau Wen-yan, an academic specializing in ocean affairs and maritime spatial planning, calls to fast-track a marine area administration act the OAC has been promoting together with two other laws concerning maritime conservation and industrial growth in accordance with the OBA. Such legislation would dovetail with U.N. and E.U. legislation on marine spatial planning adopted in over 70 countries and territories since 2009 and 2014, respectively, he said.
As a longtime advocate of integrated ocean affairs management, Chiau is encouraged to see significant progress made following the formation of the OAC and the government’s recent decision to recruit more personnel with strong marine affairs backgrounds.
OAC’s Tsai also highlights the need to foster a robust mindset among policymakers and the public. In caring for the ocean, the government is safeguarding life on the land, he said, adding that the seas must never be taken for granted. (SFC-E) (By Pat Kao)
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(This article is adapted from Ocean State in the January/February Issue 2022 of Taiwan Review. The Taiwan Review archives dating to 1951 are available online.)