Recently, a wave of “marine ” citizen science trend has gradually developed in Taiwan. These citizen scientists have become a sector that government departments and NGOs are working hard to cultivate. Actions of these marine citizen scientists can improve marine resource monitoring capability, effectively establishing a marine database. They can also help to promote public participatio n in marine affairs, assist them in understanding surrounding marine resources, increase their marine knowledge and quality, and facilitate the development of behavior friendly to the marine environment.   To encourage the public to participate in marine citizen science action, the OCA designed a marine citizen science emblem this year. The plan is to use the marine citizen science c ultivation project and games to promote public participation. The goal is to promote marine conservation concepts. The marine citizen science promotion plan can enable more people to understand and participate in the project, which can be beneficial to understanding the ocean. Reporting and exchange of real-time information is encouraged. The OCA encourages the public to understand the ocean and build marine conservation awareness to achieve the core value of the marine citizen science project. This is not only about data collection o r engaging in one-sided research, but also about continuously promoting and building an operating mechanism in the future so that the public can understand that marine citizen scie ntists can bring positive benefits to society.

Lepidochelys olivacea 60~70 cm long. An adult turtle weighs about 45 kg and the carapace is slightly oval. This turtle is mainly distributed in shallow waters, where rocky areas meet sandy areas. Main f ood for the Olive Ridley sea turtle is crustaceans. This turtle is less commonly seen in Taiwan, but has been seen in Nanfang ’ao, Kinmen, and Lanyu. External characteristics: two pairs of prefrontal scales; 5~7 plates of central scutes; 5~9 pairs of lateral scutes (in a stripped shape); and one pair of claws on the forelimbs.  

(File is available for download. The attachment is the contact list for city/county governments ’ marine wildlife conservation agencies.)

Caretta caretta 80~110 cm long and can weigh up to 200 kg. The width of its head can exceed 20 cm. This turtle is significantly larger than other sea turtles and mainly eats invertebrates, such as crustaceans and mollusks. This turtle is mainly distributed in the eastern waters of Taiwan. External characteristics: two pairs of prefrontal scales; five plates of central scutes; five pairs of lateral scutes; and two pairs of claws on the forelimbs.  

Chelonia mydas 90~125 cm long and can reach a maximum of 230 kg. Juvenile turtles are carnivorous, while adult turtles mainly eat large kelp and seaweed. This turtle has green body fat, which is how it received its name. The range distribution of this turtle is broader, and it can be found in the shallow areas of eastern, southeastern, and southern waters of Taiwan and Pen ghu where seaweed can be found. External characteristics: one pair of prefrontal scales; five plates of central scutes; four pairs of lateral scutes; and one pair of claws on the forelimbs.

Eretmochelys imbricate 60~80 cm long and can weigh up to 85 kg. The back carapace has a tile appearance, but this characteristic may not be obvious in all adults. The beak of this turtle is shaped like t hat of a hawk. The hawksbill mainly eats coral reef sponge and mollusks. This turtle is distributed mainly along Taiwan ’s east coast waters, southern shoreline, and reef areas. External characteristics: two pair of prefrontal scales; five plates of central scutes; four pairs of lateral scutes; and two pairs of claws on the forelimbs.  

Dermochelys coriacea 200~300 cm long. An adult turtle weighs approximately 500 kg. The carapace is covered by a leathery skin that is black or deep blue with white spots. This is the largest of the sea turtles and mainly eats jellyfish. As a far ocean species, it is rarely seen around Taiwan waters. External characteristics: leathery covering with seven upraised strips. No prefrontal scales.

The protection of marine wildlife, such as cetaceans or sea turtles, is the responsibility of government agencies. To improve the division of labor mechanism for participating unit s and to conserve, rehabilitate, and research protected wildlife, the Ocean Conservation Administration has guided the establishment of the Marine Animal Rescue Network (MARN) by c ombining experts and groups that rescue protected marine wildlife. MARN is Taiwan ’s comprehensive protected marine wildlife rescue mechanism. The organization also preserves related scientific specimen as an important foundation for setting up the National Main e Life Specimen Collection Center in the future. Not only are MARN members comprised of the central competent authority for marine wildlife conservation (Ocean Conservation Administration) and local competent authorities (county and city governments), but are also divided into the site rescue unit (responsible for receiving reports, on-site reporting, situation assessment and rescue, etc.), forensic analys is unit (responsible for safekeeping specimen, pathological dissection, forensic analysis, etc.), care and shelter unit (responsible for medical care, temporary shelter, long-term shelter, wild release, etc.), and education advocacy group (responsible for media news release, responses, and education and training, etc.) based on different mission characterist ics. If the public discovers beached or hurt marine protected wildlife that needs rescuing, please notify the local government, the Ocean Conservation Administration, or call the Coast Guard Administration ’s 118 reporting hotline. MARN members will respond as soon as possible.  

To let the public understand protected marine wildlife rescue reporting information (such as sea turtles and cetaceans) around Taiwan, the Ocean Conservation Administration announc es sea turtle and cetacean beaching information each quarter as a reference. The Administration has commissioned experts and scholars to analyze hurt individuals and the cause of t he injury as a basis for drafting conservation measures and to maintain marine ecology. (File is available for download. The attachment is the quarterly beaching report.)

With overall planning and coordination by the Executive Yuan, various governmental departments, local governments, and fishing groups entered into negotiations and compiled various opinions. The OCA proposed the “Taiwan Friendly Fishing Action Plan. ” The content covers site selection, safety rules, environment maintenance, resource sustainability, data reporting, appropriate accountability, education promotion, division of la bor among different departments, and self-management by fishermen. It is hoped that the sustainable use of marine resources and self-management of fishing sites under a fishing-fri endly action framework can be achieved and the overall fishing environment improved. In May of this year, the Executive Yuan approved and assigned the OCA as the responsible agency to effectively plan fishing activity-related measures, make gradual improvements, and increase links to international society. The OCA will inventory locations open for fishing to optimize the site and facilities, improve the management function, and organize fishing resource surveys. The goal is to increase the number of fishing locations and comprehensive ly improve Taiwan ’s fishing environment and services, whereby the public can engage in fishing safely and happily.