The Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA) and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) are excited to announce and congratulate the winners and finalist s of the 2024 Youth Innovation Challenge (YIC) today, September 11. Three young innovators from Indonesia, Mexico, and Mauritius are this year ’s winners, with each receiving a $1,000 USD award.   Since 2021, OCA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and NAAEE have collaborated annually to support the Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP) in hosting the Y IC. This event invites youth aged 15 to 30 from around the world to submit innovative solutions for marine environmental issues. Shiau-Yun Lu, Director-General of OCA, noted that this year ’s challenge focused on themes of Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Marine Debris, and Public-Private Partnerships. The broader scope of themes aimed to encourage participants not only to focus on marine environments and biodiversity, but also to consider innovative ideas for supporting collaboration between public and private sectors in preserving marin e ecosystems. Shiau-Yun Lu highlights that we received 152 submissions from 42 countries during this year ’s challenge. This is a significant increase from previous years, reflecting growing interest and engagement from so many young people who want to get involved in this important wo rk. "The YIC provides a unique opportunity to honor young leaders committed to solving marine challenges around the world. We ’re excited to see the enthusiasm and inventive approaches that this year ''s applicants are bringing to their communities, " said Judy Braus, executive director of NAAEE.   The three winners for this year have proposed the following innovative challenges: Axell Sutton | Mexico Axell aims to protect ocean health and biodiversity through education, innovative methods, and sustainable energy practices. His proposal will offer practical strategies, policy r ecommendations, and community engagement tools to raise awareness of decarbonization and how community actions can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase community engag ement in environmental stewardship. Watch Axell ’s video: https://youtu.be/Unl3Pu7KOlw   Brigitta Maria Andrea Gunawan and Gabriella Reyna Ardisa Gunawan | Indonesia Brigitta and her team at Diverseas proposed to promote marine science knowledge through virtual diving and in-person workshops. Their initiative will not only enhance understandin g of marine environments but also highlight careers in marine science and coral reef restoration. By 2030, they plan to establish a network of 500 marine advocates to help transfor m valuable marine science knowledge into easily understandable content for youth and educators. Watch Brigitta & Gabriella ’s video: https://youtu.be/i9Zr8qRATxM   Krishna Pentayah and Team | Mauritius In response to the oil spill from the MV Wakashio in Mauritian waters in 2020, which severely damaged marine ecosystems and mangroves, Krishna and the Sov Lanatir team aim to rest ore Mauritius '' mangroves through innovative community engagement and education. They emphasize the importance of environmental education in equipping youth and local communities with knowledge and skills for mangrove conservation, highlighting the critical role of mangroves in combating climate change. Watch Krishna & the Sov Lanatir team ’s video: https://youtu.be/fqjuUBj0O74 Learn more about the winners and finalists: https://bit.ly/2024-YIC-Winners Additional information: About YIC: The  GEEP Youth Innovation Challenge  invites applicants from 15 to 30 years of age to propose a solution to address marine issues, including conservation, biodiversity, and marine debris. Solutions can incorporate a variety of approaches but must include environmental education. Solutions must be innovative, feasible, and informed by research. About Taiwan OCA: The  Ocean Conservation Administration, Ocean Affairs Council is the competent authority for implementing the Marine Pollution Control Act and the category of marine wildlife specified in the Wildlife Conservation Act. The OCA is also in charge of the businesses relating to marine nature landscapes and nature monuments as specified in the Culture Heritage Preser vation Act. About NAAEE: For more than five decades, the  North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)  has served as the professional association, champion, and backbone organization for the field of environmental education (EE), working with EE professionals across United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as globally, to advance environmental literacy and civic engagement to create a more equitable and sustainable future.   Responsible entity and spokesperson: OCA Deputy Director-General Siao-Sia Li Phone: +886-7-3382057#262017或+886-937-498122 Date: September/11/2024  

To promote sustainable development of marine environment in the APEC region, Ocean Affair Council (OAC) will host the 23rd APEC Roundtable Meeting on the Involvement of the Busines s/Private Sector in the Sustainability of the Marine Environment on 27-28 August 2024 at G-skyview Hotel Taipei. The main theme of roundtable meeting is “Pursuing Economic Sustainability and Resilience through Marine Conservation ”. The OAC will invite delegates of APEC member economies, including Canada, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, the United States and Viet Nam, as well as in ternational experts and representatives from industries and academia to share their experiences and perspectives on marine conservation and sustainable economic development, partic ularly on the issues of ecological resilience development in the context of marine conservation, as well as practices for incorporating marine conservation with sustainable economi c growth. The OAC indicates that this project is applied to APEC Ocean and Fisheries Working Group (OFWG) annually by the government. To support APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, as well as the m ain theme of APEC Peru 2024, “Empower. Include. Grow. ” with a particular focus on the priority of “Sustainable growth for resilient development ”, the 23rd roundtable meeting aims to explore approaches to reconcile the policy goals of sustainable economic development with marine environmental protection and conservation. The Roundtable Meeting has received strong support from Ms. M ónica Rojas Noack, Lead Shepherd of APEC OFWG, as well as member economies. On the first day of the meeting, by focusing on the issues of economic and social resilience under marin e conservations, the experts will explore the effectiveness of promoting sustainable growth through area-based conservation measures, and lead discussions on the marine science-bas ed conservation measures. On the second day, by discussing the sustainable economic growth through area-based conservation efforts, the speakers will share the inclusive approach t o advance marine conservation and sustainability, and discuss advancing marine conservation with incentives and mutual benefits. The Ocean Conservation Administration of the OAC welcomes everyone to attend the roundtable meeting in person or online (registration link：https://forms.gle/GfhgDAjkewCDA1CF9). Ki ndly follow the OCA ’s official website and Facebook page for the latest information. Responsible Authority and Spokesperson: Wu Long-Jing, OCA Deputy Director-General Contact Number: 07-3382057#262017  or 0919-613467 Release Date: August  12, 2024

Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA) of Taiwan collaborates with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the North American Association for Environmental Education ( NAAEE) through the Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP) to launch the 2024 Youth Innovation Challenge (YIC). “Youth Innovation Challenge: Advancing Marine Conservation ” welcomes youth aged 15 to 30 worldwide to participate. The challenge aims to select three winners who will receive a prize of $1,000 each and be invited to Taiwan to attend the a ward ceremony and international conference hosted by OCA.       The YIC is a program of the GEEP, a vibrant and inclusive learning network designed to champion environmental education (EE) around the world, in partnership with OCA. GEEP is a partnership between the U.S. EPA, the Ministry of Environment in Taiwan, and NAAEE, which serves as the secretariat.       Submissions will be accepted from May 1st to June 12th, focusing on English-language short videos on the themes of "Marine Debris, " "Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, " and "Public-Private Collaboration. " Youth interested in or willing to contribute to marine conservation are encouraged to submit their entries. More information can be found on the official program website   (http://bit.ly/YouthInnovationChallenge). NAAEE will also hold an Applicant Webinar on May 22nd at 10:00 PM Taiwan time to share proposal tips and answer questions from prospecti ve participants. OCA encourages youth worldwide to use their innovative thinking to tackle marine environmental challenges and take real steps towards protecting our oceans. By participating in th is event, young innovators can contribute to the vision of a clean ocean and make a positive impact. Responsible entity and spokesperson: OCA Deputy Director-General Long-Jing Wu Phone: 0919-613-467 Date: May/1/2024

Three outstanding young individuals from India, Nigeria, and Taiwan emerge as winners of the 2023 Youth Innovation Challenge: Saving Our Seas (YIC)! Chosen from 15 finalists, each winner receives a prize of $1,000 for their proposed solutions to address marine issues, including conservation, biodiversity, and marine debris. The Taiwan Ocean Conservation Admi nistration (OCA), in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) through the Globa l Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP), is pleased to announce this year ’s finalists and winners. “The 2023 YIC finalists will address ongoing concerns of marine debris and incorporate two additional themes — the global 30 X 30 initiative and marine biodiversity. ” Julia Hsiang-Wen Huang, the director general of the Taiwan OCA, said. “The number of submissions for this year reached an impressive 136 entries from 50 different countries, marking a significant growth compared to last year ''s 84 submissions from 32 countries. ” OCA and NAAEE express their admiration for the unique and innovative ideas presented by the challengers on this year ''s themes. They hope that the challengers will continue to pursue their innovative ideas and progressively work towards realizing their goals. "The YIC provides an amazing opportunity to recognize young leaders working to address marine issues around the world. We ''re excited to see the passion and ingenuity that this year ’s applicants will surely bring to their communities, " said Judy Braus, executive director of NAAEE.   The three winners for this year have proposed the following innovative challenges:   The Coral Conservancy: The First For-Youth By-Youth Coral Transplantation and Restoration Initiative Project in India Ajay Sawant, India Coral continues to decline in the Indian Ocean due to environmental degradation from pollution, harmful fishing methods, coral mining, and other factors. Ajay ''s innovation —a youth-led coral transplantation project in Mumbai —aims to rejuvenate the biodiversity and biomass of the adjacent waters. With a focus on addressing the critical decline of coral reefs and their ecosystem services, this project a ligns with the global 30 x 30 action plan and SDG14 goals for the ocean. To achieve this goal, he and a dedicated team of passionate and trained young individuals, under the guidan ce of marine experts and with methodologies tailored to the Indian ecosystem, will employ advanced coral transplantation techniques to effectively restore and revive the coral reef s. Through educational programs and community outreach initiatives, this project will also inform coastal populations about the significance of marine protected areas and the impor tance of traditional sustainable practices.Ajay ’s video:  https://youtu.be/Nhdl0GeImUU TeamUpcyclers '' Ocean Restoration Challenge Jennifer Uchechukwu Obiorah, NigeriaAfter noticing a learning gap across primary and secondary school students regarding education about SDGs, climate change, and marine debris, J ennifer came up with the idea to host an inter-school marine debris challenge in Nigeria for students with the target of reaching out to an average of 10,000 students across the fe deration. The "TeamUpcyclers '' Ocean Restoration Challenge " would run for two months, and would include four master classes to educate the students about the SDGs, climate change, marine environments, and how to conserve the marine ecosys tem and biodiversity by removing marine debris. One winning team each from the primary sector and the secondary sector and one winning team for the most creative project will recei ve a prize. Having already established several partnerships in the past, Jennifer and her team plan to scale this project with the aim of reaching 50,000 Nigerian students in 5 yea rs.   Jennifer ’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2H8UbCu-s8 The Ocean Library Keira Chen, TaiwanAs a volunteer at her local library, Keira noticed how young children are genuinely interested in reading, and how they especially enjoy the library ''s comfy reading corner.  With this in mind, Keira came up with an innovative solution to promote ocean conservation to young children at her library by setting up an ocean-themed reading corner. The ocean -themed corner would include shelves filled with children ''s picture books promoting ocean protection. Soft blue pillows, colorful chairs, and marine stuffed animals would attract children ''s interest to read in the corner. Each weekend, a group of volunteers would have story-telling sessions to educate the children about ocean protection and discuss examples of ocea n waste. The volunteers will be trained beforehand to ensure that they have adequate story-telling skills and accurate knowledge of marine life and current ocean issues. Beyond sto rytelling, other activities in the ocean-themed reading corner will include a small puppet show and opportunities to create artwork of marine animals and ocean protection, which wi ll subsequently be displayed in the library ocean corner. This project aims to increase children ''s passion for protecting our ocean and marine animals while also empowering them with clear solutions and realistic steps to protect ocean ecosystems. The OCA and NAAEE congratulate the winners and all participants for their concern to the marine environment and innovative thinking. They look forward to witnessing the continued impact of these initiatives on global environmental conservation efforts. Keira ’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3mBjgdbzQ0   Check out 2023 Youth Innovation Challenge Winners and Finalists at: https://thegeep.org/youth-innovation-challenge-2023-winners !   Further information: About YIC: https://thegeep.org/youth-innovation-challengeThe Youth Innovation Challenge invites applicants from 15 to 30 years of age to propose a solution to address marine issues, includin g conservation, biodiversity, and marine debris. Solutions can incorporate a variety of approaches but must include environmental education. Solutions must be innovative, feasible, and informed by research. About Taiwan OCA: https://www.oca.gov.tw/en/index.jspThe Ocean Conservation Administration, Ocean Affairs Council is the competent authority for implementing the Marine Pollution Control Act and th e category of marine wildlife specified in the Wildlife Conservation Act. The OCA is also in charge of the businesses relating to marine nature landscapes and nature monuments as s pecified in the Culture Heritage Preservation Act. About NAAEE: https://naaee.org/For more than five decades, the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) has served as the professional association, champion, and backbone organization for the field of environmental education (EE), working with EE professionals across United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as globally, to advance environmental l iteracy and civic engagement to create a more equitable and sustainable future.   Responsible entity and spokesperson: OCA Deputy Director-General Hsin-Chen Sung Phone: 886-7-338-2057 #262021 or 886-905-205-669 Date: November/29/2023

To promote sustainable development of marine environment in the APEC region, Ocean Affair Council will host the 22nd APEC   Roundtable Meeting on the Involvement of the Business/Private Sector in the Sustainability of the Marine Environment on 6-7 September 2023. The roundtable meeting is composed of two main topics- “Development of Marine Conservation under Offshore Wind Farm Operations ” and “Updates and Challenges of Blue Carbon Economy, ” inviting the APEC delegates from Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, as well as international experts and domestic representatives from industry, government, and academ ia, are invited to gather in Taipei for further discussion. Ocean Affair Council indicates that, this project is applied to APEC Ocean and Fisheries Working Group (OFWG) annually by the government. To support APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 and align with the theme of APEC United States this year, “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All, ” which focuses on three main priorities, “Interconnected, Innovative, and Inclusive, ” the 22nd meeting aims to explore the novel and new topics under APEC ’s agenda of marine conservation and sustainable development. The Roundtable Meeting has received with strong supported from Ms. M ónica Rojas Noack, Lead Shepherd of APEC OFWG, as well as numerous member economies. On the first day, the experts from Japan, Korea, and Australia will lead the discussion related to the Balance between Offshore Wind Farm Development and Marine Conservation and Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Ecosystem Environmental Impact Assessment. On the following da y, the theme will shift to “The Potential and Contribution of Blue Carbon to the Net-Zero Development Goal ” and “Improving the Carbon Sequestration Capacity for Marine Ecosystems ” will be explored by speakers from Indonesia, Thailand, and Australia. This aligns with the core principles of APEC 2023 for Net Zero and Sustainability by the cooperation between public and private sectors so as to reach the OFWG development goals. Ocean Conservation Administration has invited APEC delegates and experts from the region to exchange in this Roundtable Meeting at Taipei. OCA also welcomes all friends who are in terested in marine conservation to register via the link (https://forms.gle/XTWnM3oF1CHXR1dGA). Participants will have the opportunity to listen to expert presentations and engage in discussions among professionals, government officials, and academics, all focusing on the development of marine conservation. For further details, please stay tuned to OCA ’s official website and Facebook page.   Responsible Authority and Spokesperson: Wu Long-Jing, OCA Deputy Director-General Contact number: 07-3383202 or 0919-613-467 Issue date:August 17, 2023

The Taiwan Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA), in collaboration with the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the North American Association for Environmental Educat ion (NAAEE) through the Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP), called on young people aged 15 –30 from countries around the world to share fresh ideas to tackle marine debris. This year, a total of eighty-four (84) innovations from thirty-two (32) countries were submitted t o the Youth Innovation Challenge (YIC). Standing out from all the submissions, each of the fifteen (15) finalists will receive an e-certificate and communication toolkit. In additi on, the top three (3) YIC winners were chosen from the finalists to receive a $1,000 USD grant.   We are excited to announce the winners of the second year of this challenge and share their innovative ideas to tackle marine debris: Reducing Debris in Akassa Marine Environment Through Social Behavioural ChangeMac-Donald Taribio Jim-Dorgu | Yenagoa, Nigeria Addressing the problem of marine debris in his region, Mac-Donald Taribio Jim-Dorgu aims to organize and facilitate town hall meetings with influential community leaders —including traditional rulers, youth leaders, women groups, faith-based organizations, and leaders of African traditional religion —across 20 coastal communities in Nigeria. The goal of this solution is to use environmental education as a lifelong learning tool to inculcate awareness of the importance of marin e ecosystems in relation to human health, food security, equity, and climate change. The town hall meetings will use research-based communication tools, including Focus Group Discu ssion (FGD) and Community Mapping (CM) to explore the causes, effects, and solutions to marine debris in these communities. Through these town hall meetings, communities will be en couraged to develop Community By-Laws against pollution and littering practices, and Community Marine Protection Vanguards to protect nearby coasts. This solution will also get com munity members involved through organized beach cleanups, where volunteers can sell the plastic they collect to local recycling companies. Mac-Donald Taribio Jim-Dorgu ’s Video: https://youtu.be/uixY6WW2ZfA   The Ocean ’s Story: Performing Arts to Save the SeaKyo Lee | Waterloo, Canada After noticing the vast number of audiences reached by her school ''s grand musicals, Kyo Lee envisioned The Ocean ''s Story, a school-wide theatrical project designed to mitigate the impacts of marine pollution in every stage of the production, from scripting to performance to education. In col laboration with her school ''s drama department, Kyo ''s project will include a five-step process to write and perform a theatrical piece that would educate the community about marine debris in her region. The first step of this proce ss will involve environmental education about marine debris and then will mobilize students to collect litter through a community-wide beach cleanup. Materials from the beach clean up that can be reused will later be used to create costumes, props, and sets. The next steps of the process include student-led scriptwriting using research on the issue of marine debris, prop and set design, and a grand performance for the community. The performance will be an opportunity to raise awareness for marine pollution within the region, imbuing th ought, discussion, and action that will create a positive ripple effect for the wider community. Kyo Lee ’s Video: https://youtu.be/B4UJZu98hTI   Litter Barrier  Muhamad Zulhairil Danial Bin Mohd Zulkifli li, Nur Fatin Fitrah Binti Ahmad Kamal, Nur Syadhira Binti Mohd Razali, & Muhammad Ismar Izhar Bin Ishak | Terengganu, Malaysia Recognizing the presence of litter in rivers and its harm to waterways and ultimately the ocean, Muhamad Zulhairil Danial Bin Mohd Zulkifli (Zulhairil) and his teammates came up w ith a solution called Litter Barrier. Little Barrier is a floating litter trap made out of affordable (and glow-in-the-dark) materials that can be placed along the shoreline of riv er beds to collect floating debris. This is a feasible way to kickstart river management among local communities in Terengganu. With a focus on youth, this team will host workshops and lectures to provide education about the problem of marine debris and give tutorials on using Litter Barrier to local communities. Any plastic collected in the litter traps can be sold to recycling companies, providing a source of income for local community members. Zulhairil ’s team Video: https://youtu.be/xUVz4dK9z4Q   “We appreciate the North American Association for Environmental Education running YIC for the second year. The passion and creativity in this year ’s submissions are inspiring. Marine debris has become a pressing worldwide issue. We look forward to seeing this challenge help raise public awareness and reduce marine debris. We hope these ideas from young people ’s point of view encourage public and private sectors to address marine debris in more innovative ways. ” – Julia Hsiang-Wen Huang, director general, Ocean Conservation Administration, Taiwan.   “We are so excited to recognize the 2022 YIC winners and finalists —a talented group of creative problem-solvers who work directly with their local communities to protect marine ecosystems. These outstanding young innovators are an inspiration to all of us and show that education is a powerful tool to help tackle our most pressing issues. ” – Judy Braus, executive director, North American Association for Environmental Education   Watch YIC Winner ''s thank you video here: https://youtu.be/6BW-4N4ocI4 Check out GEEP ’s website to learn more about the finalists and winners this year and watch their pitch videos: https://thegeep.org/youth-innovation-challenge-2022-winners Responsible entity and spokesperson: OCA Deputy Director-General Hsin-Chen Sung Phone:07-3382057 #262021 or 0905-205669 Date: November/30/2022  

The 21st APEC Roundtable Meeting(virtual) on the Involvement of the Business/Private Sector in the Sustainability of the Marine Environment held by Ocean Conservation Administratio n ended with success on 21 July 2022. The meeting was attended by more than 20 experts from APEC economies including Chile, China, Indonesia, Japan, Peru, Mexico, the Philippines, Thailand, as well as nearly a hundred experts from government, industrial and academic circles in Taiwan. In support of APEC Roadmap on Small-Scale Fisheries and Aquaculture (SSFA) endorsed this year, this Roundtable Meeting aims to explore the path to sustainable and responsible deve lopment of Small-Scale Fisheries and Aquaculture under APEC ’s agenda of ocean conservation and sustainable development. Two topics, namely, " A New Era of Industry Development " and "Blue Carbon Economy " will be discussed, with specific focuses on development and barriers of Community-Based Coastal Resource Management (CBCRM), sustainable and responsible aquaculture under green e nergy transition, policies and measures that are helpful in enhancing blue carbon sequestration in the region, and marine debris management in blue carbon ecosystems. The result of this Roundtable Meeting will be reported to APEC Ocean and Fisheries Working Group (OFWG) in August as a reference for APEC ’s future cooperation on ocean conservation and sustainable development of resources. During the meeting, experts from Taiwan, including Dr. Hsing-Juh Lin, Professor of Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Dr. Ken-Mu Chang, Director General of Environmental Protection Bureau, Chiayi County, and Dr. Che-Chun Chen, Chair of Department of Aquatic Biosciences, National Chiayi University, shared experiences in development potentials of oceanic carbon cycle, public private partnership in managing marine debris derived from oyster farming conducted in Chiayi County, Taiwan, and the promotion of smart aquaculture and the combination of aquaculture and photovoltaics. Besides, officials from National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service of Chile, Department of Fisheries of Thailand, and Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia shared local experiences in enhancing the development of coastal communities and managing freshwater aquaculture. Dr. Nob uyuki Yagi, Professor of the University of Tokyo specialized in small-scale fisheries and ocean conservation stated that, fisheries and aquaculture is facing multiple risks brought by decreasing labor force, imported food and climate change. Mr. Masanori Kobayashi, Senior Research Fellow, Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of The Sasakawa Peace Foundatio n added that sustainable ocean economy will rely on the development of human resources, policy support, innovative technologies, public private partnership and capital investment. Under the global net zero emission agenda, international attention on blue carbon potential has been souring in recent years. Dr. Daniel Friess, Dean of Department of Geography, N ational University of Singapore explained that currently there are around 25 commercial blue carbon projects around the world. While commercial blue carbon projects are on the rise , a lot of constraints and challenges are still needed to be overcome, for example, to build relevant monitoring, reporting and verification mechanism (MRV) and governance framewor k, and to promote equity, benefit sharing and inclusive growth of local communities. Dr. Mat Vanderklift, Director of IORA Indian Ocean Blue Carbon Hub stated that APEC economies h ave 55% of the world ’s mangroves but 77% of the world ’s mangrove loss. Finance options such as carbon market, funds, bonds and insurance can provide opportunities for the private sector to invest in the protection, improved managemen t and restoration of relevant ecosystems and to promote blue forest economy. Dr. Atsushi Watanabe, Director of Japan Blue Economy Associated also kindly shared Blue Carbon Initiati ve launched in Yokohama and Fukuoka, as well as blue credit demonstration in Yokohama, Kobe, Tokuyama-Kudamatsu and Kitakyushu. In the closing remarks, Dr. Julia Hsiang-Wen Huang, Director General, Ocean Conservation Administration, appreciated the sharing of expert speakers which presents a very different and exciting picture of blue economy, with the introduction of various new and innovative technologies, resource management, industrial practices and financing models, and reitera ted that Taiwan is willing to continue exploring relevant issues with economies under APEC framework. Responsible Authority and Spokesperson: Wu Long-Jing, OCA Deputy Director-General Contact number: 07-3383202 or 0919-613-467 Issue date: July  22, 2022

Taiwan Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA), Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) collaborates with US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and North American Association for Environm ental Education (NAAEE) through Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP) to launch ‘2022 Youth Innovation Challenge (YIC): Tackling Marine Debris. ’ This challenge calls for fresh ideas of tackling marine debris issues via environmental education approach, and invites applicants between the ages of 15-30 years to propose a so lution to marine debris. A Total of 15 finalists of YIC will receive a Youth Innovation certificate and be shared through social media. Furthermore, three (3) winners will be chose n from the finalists, and will receive a $1,000 USD grant. “Since the marine debris issues have become a worldwide and concerning problem, source reduction would be the priority to address. Approaches like monitoring, investigation, clean up and community engagement are also needed. YIC hunts for the solutions from the youngsters around the world not only gives them a chance to come up with innovative ideas but also raises the public engaging to this pressing issue. We look forward to collecting creative ways to tackle marine debris via events like this. The pilot program last year received a total 144 applications from 43 countries. It was a huge success! ” – Julia Hsiang-Wen Huang, Director General, Ocean Conservation Administration, Taiwan. "We are thrilled to partner again with the Taiwan Ocean Conservation Administration to announce the 2022 Youth Innovation Challenge. The YIC provides an amazing opportunity to reco gnize young leaders working to solve the issue of marine debris. We were so inspired by applicants ’ innovative solutions in our inaugural Youth Innovation Challenge last year, and we ’re excited to see the passion and ingenuity that this year ’s applicants will surely bring. " – Judy Braus, Executive Director, North American Association for Environmental Education.   Submissions will be collected during June 29th to September 1st, for further information of this program, please check out GEEP ’s website: https://thegeep.org/youth-innovation-challenge   Responsible entity and spokesperson: OCA Deputy Director-General Hsin-Chen Sung Phone:07-3382057 #262021 or 0905-205669 Date: June/9/2022

The Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA), in collaboration with the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium (NMMBA) and the Taiwan Loo Koo Yu Association, installed a sat ellite transmitter on the first green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) of the year (2024) that laid eggs at Duzaiping in Liuqiu Island, Pingtung County, on May 10th.   This initiative marks the inaugural effort by the Administration to monitor the migration patterns of nesting turtles on Liuqiu Island, aiming to gain insights into their nesting behaviors, migration routes after nesting, and feeding grounds using the gathered location data. The OCA revealed that the turtle, designated TW4425, was first documented nesting on Liuqiu Island in 2013. She has consistently returned every 2-3 years, making this year her fif th visit. This turtle, measuring 116 centimeters in carapace length, exceeds the average size of 104 centimeters observed in 2022 among five nesting turtles. In April, this turtle deposited three batches of eggs. On her fourth visit to the shore for nesting, the OCA equipped her with a satellite transmitter to track her movements during and after the nesting period. Additionally, to ensure a conducive nesting environment, the Taiwan Loo Koo Yu Association conducted a beach clean-up at Duzaiping on May 9th, collecting 245 kilograms of marine debris. Coincidentally, turtle TW4425 arrived to nest that same evening! This year, the OCA has commissioned the Taiwan Loo Koo Yu Association with conducting the "Liuqiu Island Nesting Turtle Reproduction and Surrounding Sea Turtle Survey. " Since March, members of the Association have been observing the nesting activities, identifying tracks and potential nesting spots as early as April 3rd. It was confirmed on Apri l 17th that these traces belonged to turtle TW4425. The Association has also installed thermometers in the nests to gather data that could reveal how global warming affects the gen der distribution of the hatchlings. The OCA reported that in 2013, there were two recorded instances of post-nesting migration for mother turtles on Liuqiu Island. One turtle migrated north along the Kuroshio Curren t past the southern coast of Taiwan, while the other crossed the Taiwan Strait toward the coast of China. The OCA hopes that this satellite tracking initiative will shed light on t he post-nesting migratory routes of these turtles, providing valuable data to inform conservation strategies. The OCA has reiterated its call to the public, noting that the turtle nesting season in Taiwan spans from May to October. Penghu ''s Wang ''an, Taitung ''s Orchid Island (Lanyu), and Pingtung ''s Liuqiu Island are crucial nesting sites. Visitors to these areas are urged to exercise caution when engaging in beach and marine activities. If illegal activities are suspected, the public is encouraged to gather evidence and report to the local marine conservation authorities or call the "118 " hotline. The OCA also reminds everyone to reduce plastic use daily to help protect the precious green sea turtles and marine life. Responsible Authority and Spokesperson: Wu Long-Jing, OCA Deputy Director-General Contact number: 07-3383203 or 0919-613467 Release Date: May 11, 2024  

The Ocean Conservation Administration, Ocean Affairs Council convened the 2024 Marine Animal Rescue Network (MARN) Coordination Meeting today (18th), inviting 21 local governments and 8 professional rescue teams. These teams, who normally collaborate online throughout the year, had a rare opportunity to exchange face-to-face experiences on reports and handli ng of stranded cetaceans and sea turtles. They brainstormed ways to fully leverage the insights these animals bring, including comprehensive sampling and specimen management, spati otemporal analysis of stranding survival rates and causes of death, and streamlining processes for enhanced rescue efficiency, accompanying these animals on their life journey. The Ocean Conservation Administration noted that since 2019, when professional teams, the Coast Guard Administration, and local governments established the Marine Animal Rescue Ne twork (MARN), referencing domestic and international experiences, they have completed the Marine Animal Rescue Network Handbook (https://gov.tw/QCM). Over the past five years, they handled over 1,700 stranded sea turtles and 800 cetaceans, including highly publicized cases like the mass stranding of pygmy killer whales in Kaohsiung Harbor, blue whale strandi ngs in Taitung, and leatherback turtle entanglements in fishing nets in Keelung. As of the first quarter of this year (2024), they successfully released 259 sea turtles and 22 ceta ceans back into the wild, maintaining survival rates at a certain level. Furthermore, the Ocean Conservation Administration explained that over the years, MARN invested funds to improve hardware equipment at 10 rescue stations like the Badouzi Marine A nimal Rescue Station(海之生救援站) in Keelung City, Qiding Rescue Station in Miaoli, and marine museums(海生館), National Cheng Kung University, and Kinmen County Fisheries Research Institu te. They also facilitated memorandums of understanding or cooperation agreements between New Taipei City and Yehliu Ocean World, Taoyuan City and Xpark, Hualien County and Farglory Ocean Park, strengthening public-private cooperation in rescue and conservation efforts. This increased the survival rate of live cetaceans from less than 10% to an average of 35% over the past three years, with live sea turtle survival rates exceeding 80%. The meeting, held at the Taiwan Yokohama Hakkeijima ’s Xpark, not only enhanced rescue and care efficiency but also allowed teams to closely understand the care of stranded animals, which is educationally meaningful. The Ocean Conservation Administration emphasized that the history of strandings of cetaceans and sea turtles is long, with many possible reasons including natural factors (disease , predators) and human factors (bycatch, entanglement in fishing nets, etc.). For animals suffering from diseases, there is no need to prolong their lives excessively, but they sho uld be allowed to follow their natural course, respecting nature. In cases of deaths due to human factors, it is also a reminder that appropriate measures should be taken, such as fishery avoidance measures, to reduce strandings as much as possible. In view of this, the meeting also specifically discussed preserving samples of protected species for research, exploring possible causes of strandings, and using them as references for promoting conservation policies. The Ocean Conservation Administration currently has 807 samples of 34 sp ecies and welcomes researchers from all sectors to apply. After the meeting, rescue teams visited the Sea Turtle Conservation, Education, and Rehabilitation Center, Taoyuan City, jointly established by the Taoyuan City Government and Xpa rk. This center not only provides professional medical treatment and care for injured sea turtles but also combines education with entertainment. It helps the public understand the importance of marine biodiversity and encourages them to join practical actions for sea turtle conservation. The Ocean Conservation Administration urges the public that if they come across stranded or in need of rescue cetaceans or sea turtles, for their safety and that of the animals, t hey should not handle stranded animals without professional guidance. They should quickly call the Coast Guard ''s "118 " hotline or inform the marine conservation authority of their county or city, providing detailed location, time, and description of the animal ''s condition, so that the MARN professional team can quickly come to the rescue, safeguarding marine wildlife. It requires the collective effort of everyone.   Responsible Authority and Spokesperson: Wu Long-Jing, OCA Deputy Director-General Contact Number: 07-3383203 or 0919-613467 Release Date: April 18, 2024  

Christophe Logette, the Director of the Centre of Documentation Research and Experimentation on Accidental Water Pollution (CEDRE) in France, visited Taiwan and met with the Ocean Conservation Administration today (28th). They exchanged experiences and technologies related to marine pollution response personnel training and witnessed the publication of the C hinese version of the "Marine HNS Response Manual (NHS Manual) ”. This marks a significant milestone in enhancing Taiwan ''s professional capabilities in marine environmental protection. CEDRE is a globally recognized professional training institution for marine pollution response. In 2020, the Ocean Conservation Administration signed a memorandum of cooperation w ith this center, maintaining close contact and conducting annual joint marine oil and chemical spill response training. As a result of this ongoing collaboration, professional cert ificates have been obtained. The Ocean Conservation Administration explained that the HNS Manual is an essential guide for responding to marine chemical pollution, covering convent ions and regulations related to chemical transport, hazard and behavior classification, preparedness, response, post-leak management, etc. It provides a division of responsibilitie s and collaboration methods among governments, industries, and rescue organizations, ensuring effective response actions among all parties in the event of a crisis. This manual is very helpful for Taiwan in establishing a response division and framework for marine chemical pollution. Therefore, the Ocean Conservation Administration requested authorization fr om CEDRE last year to translate it into Chinese for use. The Ocean Conservation Administration stated that with active coordination and assistance from CEDRE, the Chinese version of the HNS Manual has successfully obtained approval from all authors and sponsoring institutions and has been published on both parties '' official websites. The Chinese version of the manual will allow Chinese-speaking response personnel to better understand the guiding principles, procedures, and best practices in the manual, enabling them to take effective action in the event of marine chemical pollution incidents and mitigate potential impacts on marine environments and public health. Director-General Hsiang-wen Huang of the Ocean Conservation Administration expressed that they will continue to cooperate with CEDRE in personnel training. They have scheduled to visit CEDRE again in May this year for oil pollution (IMO Level 2) and chemical pollution (IMO Operational Level) response training. They have invited personnel from the Ministry o f the Interior, Maritime & Port Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communication, Industrial Development Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Chemicals Administration of the Minist ry of Environment, Coast Guard Administration of the Ocean Affairs Council, local governments, and industry units to participate, aiming to strengthen the domestic marine pollution response cooperation network, continuously enhance the professional level of marine pollution response personnel at all levels in Taiwan, and prepare for future marine pollution i ncidents. Responsible Authority and Spokesperson: Wu Long-Jing, OCA Deputy Director-General Contact Number: 07-3383203 or 0919-613467 Release Date: March 28, 2024  

The Ocean Conservation Administration, Ocean Affairs Council announced the "Cetacean Conservation Program " on February 7, 2024, aiming to conserve cetaceans and reduce human threats to maintain the population of cetacean species in Taiwan ''s maritime regions. The program outlines the main threats faced by cetaceans and proposes specific action plans to mitigate these threats, integrating the efforts of various depar tments to collectively safeguard the habitat environment for Taiwan ''s cetaceans. Since 2019, the Ocean Conservation Administration has initiated the Taiwan Cetacean Population Survey Project, expanding from the waters of Hualien to include Yilan, Keelung, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Changhua, Yunlin, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung, with at least 19 cetacean species observed over five years, totaling 380 sightings. This project has gradually completed a comprehensive survey of Taiwan ''s surrounding waters. The Ocean Conservation Administration emphasizes that cetaceans are top-tier predators in marine ecosystems and serve as crucial indicators of marine environ mental health, requiring collective efforts to protect them. To promote cetacean conservation and monitor changes in cetacean resources in Taiwan ''s surrounding waters, the Ocean Conservation Administration has continuously implemented the "Taiwan Cetacean Population Survey Project " from 2019 to 2023. Through multiple expert meetings and revisions, the "Cetacean Conservation Program " has been finalized and announced, reflecting Taiwan ''s cetacean inventory, international conservation rankings, known resource distribution, and major survival threats faced by cetaceans such as hunting and trading, bycatch and enta nglement, marine pollution and waste, underwater noise, and ship strikes. The program proposes five conservation work directions: legal regulations and enforcement, monitoring rese arch, habitat maintenance and human activity management, education and outreach, and private sector and international cooperation, aiming to mitigate potential threats to cetacean survival through practical conservation actions. The Ocean Conservation Administration explained that, to understand the potential cetacean resources in other surrounding sea areas of Taiwan, they have expanded their investigati on beyond the cetacean populations in the waters of Hualien, western Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan, starting from 2022, extending the range to include Ilan and Keelung, and further south to Kaohsiung and Pingtung by 2023. Over five years, they have conducted a total of 78 surveys, witnessing at least 19 cetacean species and a total o f 380 times, with Risso ''s dolphins observed the most at 132 times, followed by spinner dolphins observed 47 times. In 2023, the survey results included 11 cetacean species observed 47 times, including Risso ''s dolphins, Fraser ''s dolphins, pantropical spotted dolphins, spinner dolphins, false killer whales, and rough-toothed dolphins in the waters off Kaohsiung. Tropical spotted dolphins and spinner dolp hins were found in the waters off the west side of Pingtung, while a group of approximately 30-35 large whales, likely sperm whales, were observed in the waters off Shihti, Hualien . A group of Chinese white dolphins, including a mother and calf pair, was also observed in the waters off Changhua and Yunlin, with seven individual identifications. Director-General Hsiang-wen Huang of the Ocean Conservation Administration stated that cetaceans are highly migratory species, and their distribution information and population dy namics rely on long-term and extensive surveys. In the future, the Ocean Conservation Administration will continue to expand the scope of investigation, monitor changes in cetacean populations, and actively integrate resources from central and local government agencies, private enterprises, organizations, and academic institutions to implement cetacean conse rvation actions. Responsible Authority and Spokesperson: Wu Long-Jing, OCA Deputy Director-General Contact Number: 07-3383203 or 0919-613-467 Release Date: February 17, 2024  

The Ocean Conservation Administration, Ocean Affairs Council held a press conference today (31st) for Ocean Citizen Scientists, highlighting the progress of domestic marine citizen science initiatives, commending actively participating groups and individuals, and introducing the six selected projects for the theme "Deciphering the Ocean, Envisioning the Future " in 2023. According to the Ocean Conservation Administration, domestic marine citizen science projects cover various aspects such as marine biology and marine waste. By promoting six new emerging projects, bringing the total to 50, they aim to offer more opportunities for public engagement in marine citizen science and conservation, thereby further advancin g development in domestic citizen science. Regarding international marine citizen science development, countries like the EU and the US have enacted special laws to promote citizen science. For instance, the US has over 50 0 citizen science projects. During her speech, Director-General Huang Hsiang-wen of the Ocean Conservation Administration stated that since 2019, the administration has launched th e Ocean Citizen Scientist Development Program focusing on cetaceans, sea turtles, coral reefs, and fishing. They aspire to promote Taiwan ''s involvement in marine citizen science and subsequently proposed the "Taiwan Marine Citizen Science Action Strategy " in 2022, outlining four strategies: "Supporting the development of citizen science, " "Raising public awareness of marine citizen science, " "Enhancing the quality and sustainability of citizen science data, " and "Promoting the openness and application of citizen science data. " Over the past few years, in conjunction with local guardian projects, our country ''s citizen science has expanded from 10 categories to 44 projects. With the addition of six projects this year, the total number of domestically implemented projects will reach 50. Director-General Huang Hsiang-wen also mentioned that in 2021, ten units, including the Biodiversity Research Center at Academia Sinica, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agenc y under the Ministry of Agriculture, the Biodiversity Research Institute, the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, the National Park Service under the Ministry of the Interior, and the National Taiwan Museum, established the Taiwan Biodiversity Information Alliance (TBIA). The TBIA database now has accumulated over ten million records, and data reported by al l parties may also be incorporated in the future. Today ''s data can contribute to tomorrow ''s scientific reports and even serve as guidelines for government policy. We look forward to witnessing the thriving future of these 50 marine citizen science projects. The Ocean Conservation Administration explained that in 2023, they organized the "Deciphering the Ocean, Envisioning the Future " submission activity, selecting six projects: "Citizen Scientists Calculate Better Than Abacus, " "Land Crab Ecology Guardians, " “Chasing Undersea Agricultural Waste ”, "Tracing the Footprints of Rhynchobatus Australiae, " and "Together We Fish ", “Taiwan Bird Life - Taiwan Seabird Diet Investigation. " These projects, led by scientists, will conduct investigations with the public, analyze reported data, and establish marine databases while strengthening marine monitoring capabi lities. Furthermore, the administration added that current domestic marine citizen science projects cover over ten different areas. For instance, the Taiwan Coral Reef Examination, initia ted by the Taiwan Environmental Information Association, monitors coral reefs in various regions of Taiwan annually, providing insights into their health. The "Whale Finder " project launched by the Taiwan Cetacean Society records cetacean species, quantities, coordinates, etc., through an app, helping understand their lifestyles and habitats. The "Shark and Ray Sightings Report " project by Congratulafins encourages divers to report species, quantities, environments, behaviors, etc., shedding light on the most frequently sighted species and their habitats . The Ocean Conservation Administration emphasized that marine citizen science is a method of involving citizens in scientific investigations, collecting observations related to the ocean in different regions and times. In the future, the Ocean Conservation Administration will continue to hold relevant seminars and promotional activities. More information can be found on the Ocean Citizen Scientist website (https://sites.google.com/view/ocs2021). The administration invites more people to join in safeguarding a healthy marine environmen t and working towards the future of our oceans!   Responsible Authority and Spokesperson: Wu Long-Jing, OCA Deputy Director-General Contact Number: 07-3383203 or 0919-613467 Release Date: January 31, 2024  

In response to World Cleanup Day, the Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA) and the Forestry Bureau, in cooperation with the Yilan County Government, the Yunlin County Government and the Tainan City Government, organized marine debris and beach cleanup activities on September 17. Through the marine debris salvaging operation by the environmental protection fleet to beach cleanup activities on the coastal security forest, 5,865 kilograms of marine waste (4,810 kilograms of general waste and 1,055 kilograms of recyclable waste) were r emoved to create a sound marine environment and protect the sustainable development of the coast and the ocean together. Since 2020, the Executive Yuan has been actively promoting the "Salute to the Ocean " policy, integrating the resources of the central ministries and cooperating with 19 local governments with coastal regions to establish a marine cleanup mechanism to protect the marine environment. The OCA and the local government have recruited 5,186 environmental protection vessels to encourage fishermen to bring waste and resource recovery materials to shore for sorting and recycling through the exchange and incentive mechanisms. As of August 2022, the environmental protection fleet has brought back 76 tons of marine debris, in a ddition to fishermen bringing back waste fishing nets for recycling, most of them were categorized as plastic bottles and glass bottles. The OCA calls on the public to start from t hemselves to reduce the use of disposable products from the source. Julia Hsiang-Wen Huang, Director-General of the OCA expressed her gratitude to the National Forest Volunteer Association of the Forestry Bureau for initiating the beach clean-up a ctivity and to the Tainan City Water Environment Protection Volunteers for their joint response. As to the beach cleanup activity, she especially thanked the Yilan County Governmen t, Yunlin County Government and Tainan City Government for mobilizing the environmental protection fleet to assist in the marine environmental cleanup operation, and to raise publi c awareness of marine conservation through the marine cleanup activities. She hopes that more organizations will join the ranks of protecting the marine environment and provide the public with a quality recreational environment, so that they can embrace the ocean and experience its beauty. The OCA and the Forestry Bureau will continue to combine public and p rivate resources to solve the problem of marine debris and maintain a beautiful marine environment together.   Responsible Authority and Spokesperson: Hsin-Chen Sung, OCA Deputy Director-General Contact number: 07-3382057 or 0905-205-669

The Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) has designated the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins Wildlife Habitat of Importance since September 1, 2020. In June 2021, the OCA proceeded to promote the "Conservation Plan for the Taiwanese Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin " by integrating various agencies and proposing 4 major directions, 11 specific strategies and 44 priority actions. At present, the white dolphin conservation project has been prom oted for one full year, and the Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA) has invited various agencies to review work progress. With the joint and concerted efforts of all units, it is hoped that the goal of conserving Taiwan ''s white dolphin population and habitats will be realized. The OCA stated that 32 public and private institutions and agencies are involved in the "Conservation Plan for the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin ", including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the Maritime Port Bureau of the MOTC, the National Academy for Educational Research, the Fisheries Research Institute of the COA, the Environmental Protection Administration, the Water Resources Agency of the MOEA, the Industrial Development Bureau of the MOEA, the Bur eau of Energy of the MOEA, Taiwan Power Company, the Taiwan International Ports Corporation Limited, the Bureau of Energy, MOEA, as well as counties and municipal governments and f ishermen ''s organizations of regions where the potential survival of white dolphins is impacted. To date, the Conservation Plan has completed research on white dolphin population monitoring , underwater activity monitoring, land-based observation surveys, population differentiation and scarring analysis, as well as a database of 68 Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphins. Furt hermore, the Marine Animal Rescue Network and the Marine Conservation Wildlife Utilization Management System have been completed, and a natural history collection of 60 cetaceans h as been completed. To protect the habitat of Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis), also known as Chinese White Dolphins, in addition to conducting bait releases of white dolphins, 2,061 tons of marine debris were removed, 3,852 educational and promotional activities were conducted, and 107 cases of development on important habitat for Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphin s were supervised. This implemented the review of important habitat development cases to protect the habitat of Indo-pacific Humpback dolphins. At the same time, the Conservation P lan also promotes the cetacean observer mechanism, establishes a working communication platform, strengthens on-site inspections in conjunction with the EPA, and promotes fishermen ''s participation in the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin Protection Patrol Fleet to carry out white dolphin sighting reports and marine conservation education work, forming a positive community participation model. The OCA said that the conservation of white dolphins cannot rely on a single agency, but rather on close interdepartmental cooperation of the government, the participation of expe rts and scholars in various fields, civil society organizations and public support, so as to achieve concrete results. Therefore, the OCA is grateful for the joint efforts of all c ontributing agencies and the participation of our fishermen ''s organization partners. In the future, the OCA will continue to pay attention to the information on Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphins and their population dynamics, and continue to promote Taiwan ''s Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphin conservation programs, adjusting regular work and implementation strategies in priority restoration areas on a rolling basis. Responsible Authority and Spokesperson: Wu Long-Jing, OCA Deputy Director-General Contact number: 07-3383203 or 0919-613-467