The controversy over the oil spill in the Kenting National Park is intensifying. As everyone gets busy pointing fingers, it is more important to focus on what Taiwan has learned from this incident.
The government has repeatedly declared that Taiwan is an "oceanic country." However, our national blueprint lacks anything to do with "sea conservation." Our administrative and legal systems have ignored the fact that we are an island surrounded by sea waters. The past imposition of martial law and bans on against sea travel has made people increasingly distant from the sea. The weathering of the oceanic culture means that ocean is no longer treated as an important resource or public asset. We are still far away from a pollution-free ocean environment. This so-called "oceanic country" has no sustainable oceanic thinking. Taiwan may be surrounded by sea waters, but it is a "landlocked state" from this standpoint.
Establishing a relevant government unit, and drafting relevant laws and policies have become the most important tasks for today's oceanic states. Among them, Canada stands out. The country's government body in charge of maritime affairs was under the Department Natural Resources. As the said department focused primarily on the exploration of non-biological resources, the two split. In April of 1995, Canada finally established the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, placing it in charge of fishery and ocean conservation. It then merged with the coast guard to strengthen its enforcement capabilities. In addition, Canada thereafter enacted the Oceans Law. As marine conservation must be based on scientific research, the country also established several large research institutes. Only by such clear delegation of duties, a powerful legal basis, and solid research can the problems of the oceans be effectively resolved.
In the past, the administration of relevant government organs in Taiwan was often spearheaded by the drive of individuals, and lacked "due process" in the handling of public policies. As marine resources are the foundation of sustainable national development, the protection of the marine environment is critical to the ecology and the welfare of mankind. The establishment of a government body in charge of marine affairs must be done with collective wisdom and extreme caution. It should be done based on the following principles: the power of the body must be comprehensive, the body should primarily focus on coordinating the existing agencies and strengthening efficiency and finally the administrative system must be symplified.
At least three options exist for Taiwan's establishment of such a body. One, establish an ocean headquarters under the Executive Yuan to integrate marine conservation, coastal management, and coastal patrol mechanisms; two, establish a department of marine and fishery affairs, focusing on the conservation of marin conservation, and integrating marin and coast management, and fishery agency; three, consider establishing a Water Resources Department to integrate management of rivers and oceans based on concepts other than economic development.
Taiwan's marine and coastal affairs are currently in the hands of the Environmental Protection Administration and the Coast Guard Administration, among others. In terms of manpower, vessel facilities, enforcement, marine environmental protection, and administrative coordination, these bodies are inadequate. The oil spill in Kenting shows this.
In addition, the division of labor in protection of wetlands, coral reefs and various other marine conservation zones is also currently very unclear. Responsibilities are being moved around, frequently resulting in argument. The situation is very disadvantageous to the protection of the marine environment. Therefore, rethinking the management of marine affairs and resources should be a task of the utmost urgency for Taiwan, a task critical for the sustainable development of the country.
Chiau Wen-yan is an associate professor of marine environment and engineering at National Sun Yat-sen University.
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