At the Cabinet meeting held today, Premier Mao Chi-kuo underscored the importance of ecological conservation in sustaining the country's natural resources.
After hearing the Ministry of the Interior's (MOI) report on Taiwan's two marine national parks, Mao requested the agency to continue conducting research programs that protect oceanic resources. As the ecology is restored, marine ecotourism may also be developed in a reasonable manner to benefit local economies, he added.
To protect marine resources, the government established the Dongsha Atoll National Park and the South Penghu Marine National Park in January 2007 and June 2014 respectively. The former is blessed with diverse fish, invertebrate and coral species, while the latter features special basalt geology and rich and diverse marine ecology, as well as unique cultural communities.
Regarding the Dongsha park, the MOI said marine research facilities there will be improved to afford researchers a better working and living environment. The MOI will also cooperate with the Ministry of Science and Technology and other research units, offering university and research institutions opportunities to conduct instructional research. Programs for restoring coral, marine bioindicators and indigenous plants will be conducted, with environmental monitoring implemented to assess all results.
As for the Penghu park, the MOI will continue restoring marine and cultural resources, set up a complete marine life ecology databank, monitor permanent plots, and safeguard the park's ecodiversity. The ministry will also strengthen partnerships with communities to help them develop unique local ecological tours. Other efforts include building a green, sustainable island; erecting environmentally friendly facilities; promoting marine environment education; and launching green tours.