The marine ecosystem is looking over the abyss. In the seas surrounding Taiwan, the decline of the fish catch has become a serious concern.
We are a matter of weeks away from local elections, yet it seems that ocean conservation is almost entirely absent from the policy agenda of candidates: No ocean conservation policy has been presented.
While local governments have been waiting for the central government to pass legislation on this issue, they have been sitting on their hands, taking precious little action to safeguard the ocean. It is becoming increasingly apparent that to save the ocean and the marine ecosystems around Taiwan, local governments have to play a much more active role.
For more than 30 years, Taiwan’s fishing industry has been dealing with a raft of serious problems, including marine ecology destruction, decline in fish biodiversity and overfishing. The excessive consumption and overexploitation of the ocean have caused serious damage.
Local governments, responsible for designated areas of water surrounding Taiwan, could make an impact on the deteriorating situation, but to do so they have to put in much more effort.
First, local governments need to facilitate communication with the local community, and raise awareness about how it should view its relationship with the ocean.
It should bridge the gap between decisionmakers and local communities, providing environmental guidance to improve conditions in the industry and introducing forward-thinking initiatives inside the Marine Protected Area (MPA).
Local communities need to learn how to improve their relationship with the ocean, how to use its resources properly and responsibly, and to deepen their understanding of how the ocean can give back.
The main purpose is to create a win-win situation in which the ocean and communities can coexist, to guarantee that local economies and ocean conservation can thrive.
Second, the capacity to patrol the MPA must be enhanced. For the MPA to work, strict enforcement is key.
However, not enough law enforcement officers can be sent from the central government to local areas. Local governments should play a bigger role in patrolling and monitoring the area.
Local patrol teams should be organized to find people who contravene the regulations, and report on them.
These teams should also be responsible for the safekeeping of signs in the MPA, ensuring they are not vandalized or concealed. Patrol teams should also educate and inform tourists and residents of the value of the MPA.
Third, local governments should invest more in scientific monitoring. As all problem-solving strategies are based on experimental fact, it is crucial to obtain scientific data to analyze the root and nature of the problems facing Taiwan’s ocean environment.
The data would also be useful in maintaining the livelihoods of fishers and people in the hospitality sector.
The central government should pass an ocean conservation bill as soon as possible.
However, to recover our ocean’s biodiversity, local governments are essential. Local governments should consider these propositions and put them into practice effectively.
Since last year, Greenpeace has advocated for the passage of an ocean conservation bill with 10 demands. The central and local governments should act on this concretely and substantively.
Greenpeace has visited villages and towns along the coast and in outlying islands to discuss the issue with local communities, and it has won the support of more than 20 environmental organizations. More than 280 stores and thousands of people have also responded to its call for the ocean conservation bill. It is apparent that the public support this issue.
The elections are around the corner. Local governments and candidates should highlight ocean conservation in their political agendas.
Taiwan needs to commit itself to protecting the ocean, take action to save the ocean and make the most of the next four years.
Tommy Chung is director of the Greenpeace Taiwan “Project Ocean.”
Translated by Liu Yi-hung
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