Ms. Jenny Bloomfield, Representative of the Australian Office Taipei, visited the Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) on October 14th with Deputy Representative Brent Moore. Both sides exchanged views on marine protected areas (MPA), Austronesian marine culture, safety of marine activities and rescue at sea.

“Taiwan and Australia are both located in the Pacific Ocean and we have close relationships with the ocean, similar historical experience and marine cultural heritage,“ Deputy Minister of OAC Tsai Ching-Piao(蔡清標) said. “The OAC is holding Pan-Austro-Nesian Arts Festival with Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts this year. We invite artists from Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Korea to express the beauty of marine culture aesthetics.”
   Bloomfield said that Taiwan and Australia are both ocean countries, and it is pleased to have this dialogue with the OAC and to continue future communication on marine environmental protection, IUU, maritime security and indigenous marine culture and other significant issues. “We are willing to collaborate with each other step by step to promote the development of marine sustainability,” she emphasized.

   Tsai added that the Ocean Conservation Administration of the OAC will visit the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Australia to learn about zoning plan and coral restoration to do integration work of marine protected areas. OAC has promoted the “Salute to the Seas” Policy and allow people "go into the seas” progressively, and expects to learn about the beach grade risk classifications and beach safety internet from Australia.
 
  Tsai also said, “I am very appreciative of Representative Bloomfield who puts Taiwan in her heart by her Chinese name (怡). Taiwan and Australia are dedicated to the conservation of the ocean and embrace ocean culture. We should prioritize areas of marine activities safety, marine science research, indigenous marine culture and marine policy. By exchanging experience through mutual discussions, both parties can share experiences and practices to seek opportunities for cooperation. What’s more, our cooperation will lead to reinforced partnership between Taiwan and Australia.”