The Taiwan chapter of a Chinese non-profit environmental protection group donated NT$2.1 million (US$65,400) yesterday to the Taiwan Environmental Information Association (TEIA) to fund a survey of coral reefs and a squid conservation project.
George Chen (陳田文), head of the Taiwan chapter of the China-based Society of Entrepreneur Ecology (SEE) and chairman Capital Securities in Taipei, presented the money raised from SEE members in Taiwan and China at a press conference to mark the chapter’s establishment.
Chen said the seas around Taiwan are home to abundant and diverse marine life, but long-term public ignorance of marine ecology and heavy pollution has caused a rapid depletion of many local marine populations and had put the survival of coral reefs and marine life under threat.
“Our ocean resources are becoming increasingly exhausted and the world under the surface of the ocean is gradually becoming a silent ocean desert that threatens coral reefs and marine life,” said Chen, a keen scuba diver.
Taking squid as an example, Chen said some species live around coral reefs, but as a result of over-exploitation, pollution and drastic climate change, the coral has declined to the extent that the squid now lay their eggs mainly in discarded fishing nets or garbage.
He expressed hope that the sponsorship program would arouse public awareness of the importance of marine life protection and help restore the marine ecosystem.
TEIA secretary-general Chen Rui-bin (陳瑞賓) said Taiwan’s coral reefs are in decline and he hopes more people will take action to protect the marine environment.
Kuo Dao-jen (郭道仁), who is responsible for carrying out the squid conservation program, said he has more than 30 years diving experience and a good understanding of the species. He expressed his fear that there will be nowhere for the squid to spawn within 10 years.
A NT$39 receipt for two bottles of tea at a FamilyMart was among the NT$10 million (US $312,969) special prize winners in the January-February uniform invoice lottery. FamilyMart said that two NT$10 million-winning receipts were issued at its stores, as well as two NT$2 million grand prizes and three NT$200,000 first prizes. The two NT$10 million receipts were issued at stores in Pingtung County and Yilan County’s Dongshan Township (冬山). One winner spent just NT$39 on two bottles of tea, while another spent NT$80 on water, tea and coffee, the company said. Meanwhile, 7-Eleven reported three NT$10 million winners — in New Taipei
Considering that most countries issue more than five denominations of banknotes, the central bank has decided to redesign all five denominations, the bank said as it prepares for the first major overhaul of the banknotes in more than 24 years. Central bank Governor Yang Chin-lung (楊金龍) is expected to report to the Legislative Yuan today on the bank’s operations and the redesign’s progress. The bank in a report sent to the legislature ahead of today’s meeting said it had commissioned a survey on the public’s preferences. Survey results showed that NT$100 and NT$1,000 banknotes are the most commonly used, while NT$200 and NT$2,000
ANNUAL EVENT: Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in Daan Park, with an event zone operating from 10am to 6pm This year’s Taipei Floral Picnic is to be held at Daan Park today and tomorrow, featuring an exclusive Pokemon Go event, a themed food market, a coffee rave picnic area and stage performances, the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism said yesterday. Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in the park as attractions, with an exclusive event zone operating from 10am to 6pm, it said. Participants who complete designated tasks on-site would have a chance to receive limited-edition souvenirs, it added. People could also try the newly launched game Pokemon Pokopia in the trial area, the department said. Three PokeStops are
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