An international conference on the impact of sand dredging in the ocean took place May 31 in Taipei City as part of ongoing government efforts to protect Taiwan’s marine ecology, according to the Ocean Affairs Council.
Organized by National Taiwan Ocean University with OAC sponsorship, the one-day event was attended by more than 200 experts, government officials, diplomatic corps members and nongovernmental organization representatives from Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and the U.S.
During her opening remarks, OAC Minister Kuan Bi-ling said ocean sand dredging in waters surrounding Taiwan is damaging fishery resources and destroying marine habitats and submarine cables.
Kuan said that as a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan has taken steps to deter such illegal activities in compliance with the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.
While serving as a legislator, Kuan and her fellow lawmakers proposed amendments to the Sand and Gravel Excavation Act and Law on the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf of the Republic of China to increase the penalties for illegal sand dredging.
The Coast Guard Administration under the OAC expelled a total of 3,991 sand dredging ships in 2020, before the amendments were passed in early 2021, Kuan said, adding that the number dropped to 665 in 2021 and 224 last year.
This conference is a great opportunity for experts and policymakers to exchange views on the issue, formulate countermeasures and enhance public awareness, Kuan said. The minister also called on the Chinese authorities to step up law enforcement efforts to crack down on sand dredging in the ocean. (SFC-E)
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