Taiwan’s devotion to the ocean

Taiwan is moving into environmental preservation with grand plans for an ocean research centre.

The centre will be built on a 1.74 square kilometre coral atoll as part of the Marine Park Headquarters in the southern city of Kaosiung.

The area where the centre will be built consists of 250 islets, a network of shipping lanes, and possible undersea reserves of oil and natural gas.

Taiwanese officials believe that research will show that many fish species in the region have been depleted.

The centre will have five major goals including observation and modelling of Taiwan’s waters, research on prevention of marine disasters, marine construction research, the development of deep-sea exploration technology and the establishment of the marine databank and information services.

A 2,700 tonne ocean research vessel, the largest ever commissioned by Taiwan, was launched in Kaosiung on June 13 this year.

The vessel has the ability to complete assignments such as taking samples of seafloor gas hydrate and deep ocean water, and probing for off-shore wind power and gas hydrates. This will give the government an understanding of the potential of clean energies harboured in the seas surrounding Taiwan.

Officials from the Taiwan Ocean Research Institute believe that research vessels are imperative for the future of an island that is threatened by natural disasters and with a dense population requiring an immediate tap into oceanic resources.

‘The ocean has boundless possibilities as a source of renewable energy derived from wind, solar and solidified natural gas. The new vessel will help unlock this potential,’ said Yang Yih, an official within the Taiwan Ocean Research Institute.

The launch of this vessel brought Taiwan’s total of marine research vessels to four, highlighting Taiwan’s efforts in marine science and technology.

The centre will be built over disputed water territory, but research findings will be shared with other governments.

Tourists may eventually be allowed to visit the Ocean Research Centre.