Pingtung County fishers have collected more than 57 tonnes of marine debris under a reward program introduced by the local government in 2022 to mitigate the impact of ocean waste on marine life and marine ecosystems.
Under the program, Pingtung fishing boats have brought in 57.9 tonnes of trash they found while operating in the open sea to 23 security inspection centers at their home ports across the county in exchange for home-grown agricultural or eco-friendly products, the Pingtung County Environmental Protection Bureau said on Thursday.
Last year, a reward points system was launched, allowing fishers to exchange the waste they collect from the sea for household appliances, which provides a further boost to the program aiming to reduce marine debris at the source, the bureau said.
Photo courtesy of the Pingtung County Government
Protecting marine ecosystems is a critical and urgent task, with surveys showing 8 million tonnes of plastic, the main component of marine debris, enter the ocean globally per year, the Pingtung County Government said.
Plastic particles in the ocean eaten by fish are eventually consumed by people through the food chain, and as such represent a major threat to the environment and ecosystems, it said.
A fishing boat skipper surnamed Chiang (江) said that due to the reward program, he is now more motivated to look for marine debris.
“Though a small action, it will change the whole picture as long as everyone becomes part of the program,” he said.
To encourage foreign fishers to also join in the initiative, the bureau has printed booklets explaining how it works in six languages — English, Indonesian, Thai, Malay, Filipino and Vietnamese.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Taiwan Travelogue (臺灣漫遊錄), which earlier this week became the first Taiwanese novel to win the International Booker Prize, is to be adapted into a television series through a Taiwan-Japan coproduction, producer Chang Chen-yu (張辰漁) said yesterday. Chang, a producer at World Softest Production Film Co, wrote on Facebook that the company had been searching for projects with international appeal that retain a strong Taiwanese identity after colleagues and Japanese partners strongly recommended the novel. After reading the book, Chang said he immediately decided to pursue the screen rights. “A great story has the power to transcend time and borders, and connect countless people,”
RSS