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National Oceans Day

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Opening a New Chapter on the Ocean – A Report on the First National Oceans Day
Date:2020-08-03
Unit:Information Management Office
The announcement of the National Ocean Policy White Paper at the ceremony for the first National Oceans Day Image by Chia-wen ChungThe announcement of the National Ocean Policy White Paper at the ceremony for the first National Oceans Day

June 8 is designated by the UN as World Oceans Day, and the same date has been set as Taiwan’s National Oceans Day under the country’s Ocean Basic Act. On June 8, 2020, the celebration for the first National Oceans Day was held in the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, where the 2020 National Ocean Policy White Paper was announced, demonstrating Taiwan's determination and resolution to pay tribute to the sea. It is hoped that this will bring people together to work towards building a marine environment with sustainable ecosystems, safe territorial waters, and prosperous industries.。

At the ceremony, the Ocean Affairs Council showed a video on the results of administrative efforts. It explained the policy direction and actual business promotion status of the Council and the institutes governed by the Council, including the Coast Guard Administration, Ocean Conservation Administration, and National Academy of Marine Research. It also presented programs established as responses to "Tribute to the Sea," including the Environmental Protection Fleet and Diving Warriors. A total of 43 people and groups who had contributed to marine affairs were commended at the ceremony. These included government personnel who showed outstanding performance in promoting marine affairs in 2019. They actively promoted matters such as marine environmental education and sea turtle rescue within their roles in various institutes, including the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and Council of Agriculture. Also present were representatives of the excellent-performing 2020 Environmental Protection Fleet established by local governments through the collaborative promotion efforts of the Ocean Conservation Administration, Ocean Affairs Council and Fisheries Agency, Council of Agriculture; outstanding representatives of the 2020 Diving Warriors who participated in national beach cleanup events; exceptional representatives of local governments recognized through the 2019 Marine Pollution Prevention Assessment. They all worked together to contribute immensely to marine debris management. The representative of the 2019 wild marine protected species rescue team was also commended for the team's rescuing of wild whales and dolphins, including pygmy killer whales; they gave wild marine animals the opportunity to continue living. Lastly, youth representatives to the 2020 Our Ocean Youth Leadership Summit (OOYLS 2020) will attend the Summit in Palau on behalf of Taiwan and explore marine issues with youth from various countries.

Group photo of honored guests: (from the left) Director-general Hsiang-wen Huang of the OCA, Ambassador Jarden Kephas of the Republic of Nauru, Minister Chung-Wei Lee of the OAC, Ambassador Diane Haylock of Belize, Ambassador Dilmei L.Olkeriil of the Republic of Palau, Deputy Director-general Hsin-chen Sung of the OCA. Group photo of honored guests: (from the left) Director-general Hsiang-wen Huang of the OCA, Ambassador Jarden Kephas of the Republic of Nauru, Minister Chung-Wei Lee of the OAC, Ambassador Diane Haylock of Belize, Ambassador Dilmei L.Olkeriil of the Republic of Palau, Deputy Director-general Hsin-chen Sung of the OCA.

In order to let the public understand how the Ocean Affairs Council manages marine affairs, four exhibition areas were set up at the ceremony venue with the themes of "ecological conservation," " maritime security," "prosperous industry," and "marine debris recycling coalition." Physical exhibition items were also provided, including marine conservation educational items, results of marine debris removal, new naval ship vessels, a hydrological database prototype system, rotor drones, deep ocean water, and various types of products made with recycled marine debris. In addition, five friendly nation representatives – Ambassador Diane Haylock of Belize, Ambassador Jarden Kephas of the Republic of Nauru, Ambassador Dilmei L.Olkeriil of the Republic of Palau, Ambassador Limasene Teatu of Tuvalu, Ambassador Neijon Rema Edwards of the Republic of the Marshall Islands – were present at the ceremony to converse further with the Ocean Affairs Council. The exhibition areas, which received high praise, enabled visitors and the public to gain a deeper and more specific understanding of various topics on marine affairs.

In order to show the determination and resolution to pay tribute to the sea, the Ocean Affairs Council chose Chi-mai Chen, the former vice premier of the Executive Yuan, and Minister Chung-Wei Lee of the Ocean Affairs Council to jointly announce the National Ocean Policy White Paper at the ceremony. Containing a total of 53,000 words organized into 8 chapters, the National Ocean Policy White Paper continues the National Oceans Policy Guidelines' goal of ocean sustainability. The National Ocean Policy White Paper sets specific goals and strategic guidelines for various areas, including marine rights and interests protection and governance, maritime safety and ocean security, marine conservation and environmental protection, development and innovation in the marine industry, marine culture and education, talent training, and marine scientific research and technological development. It is hoped that people's understanding and love for the ocean will be fostered, and that procedures for wise utilization and governance of the ocean will be formulated in order to achieve the maritime nation's vision of practicing oceanic thinking. With vigorous ambition and expansive inclination, efforts are being made to manage the ocean and build a wonderful maritime nation with excellent ecosystems, safety, and prosperity as we set sail for the world.

In coordination with the policy blueprint of the National Ocean Policy White Paper, the government will also establish a series of "Tribute to the Sea" related policies. In addition, citizens are encouraged to clean, understand, be close to, and go into the ocean. Respecting and understanding the ocean as well as the utilization of marine resources will enable Taiwan to make significant developments.


Chia-wen Chung (Assistant Research Fellow, Taiwan Institute of Economic Research)
Translated by Linguitronics

Related Image(s)
Youth representatives for OOYLS 2020 receiving awards at the event.
Youth representatives for OOYLS 2020 receiving awards at the event.
The new 4,000 naval ship model exhibited at the venue
The new 4,000 naval ship model exhibited at the venue
The demonstration of the force that maintains territorial water safety
The demonstration of the force that maintains territorial water safety
Friends from all around the world gather to congratulate Taiwan on its first National Oceans Day
Friends from all around the world gather to congratulate Taiwan on its first National Oceans Day
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