The Legislative Yuan on Friday passed a conservation law aimed at improving the protection of marine ecosystems by designating areas to be protected and closing core zones to civilian maritime traffic.
Under the new marine conservation act, the Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) is authorized to form an advisory committee composed of academics, conservationists, fishers and indigenous Taiwanese, with the latter two groups making up at least one-third of its members.
The committee’s role would be to plan and review the designation of marine conservation areas, which would have core and buffer zones, with each subject to distinct rules and regulations.
Photo courtesy of the Taiwanese Coral Reef Society
For a conservation area to be established, two-thirds of the committee members would have to vote in favor, and a majority of members must be present at the time of voting.
Core zones would be closed to civilian maritime traffic, and those caught entering the area and refusing to leave could be fined NT$50,000 to NT$500,000, the bill stipulates.
However, people who mistakenly enter a core zone and leave after a warning would not be fined. However, if they return to the area within two years, the penalty would apply.
Meanwhile, military vessels carrying out operations or patrols related to national security or defense would be able to enter the core zone, as would ships involved in search and rescue, scientific research and other activities.
Activities including aquaculture, the harvesting of marine organisms and construction of marine projects in buffer zones could be allowed with government approval, but those caught without permission to carry out such activities would be fined NT$30,000 to NT$300,000, the bill stipulates.
Activities that are essential for indigenous cultures or rituals would not be subjected to the restrictions in buffer zones, it added.
The act stipulates that the overall policy guidelines for the management of marine conservation areas would be formulated by the council in consultation with other relevant agencies, and then submitted to the Executive Yuan for approval.
The designation of marine conservation areas and related restrictions would take into account the interests of fishers, indigenous Taiwanese and others, OAC Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
RSS