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OAC announces marine pollution prevention white paper
2024-12-30

Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling (third left) presides over the release of a national white paper on marine pollution prevention Dec. 25 in Kaohsiung City. (Courtesy of OAC)

Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling (third left) presides over the release of a national white paper on marine pollution prevention Dec. 25 in Kaohsiung City. (Courtesy of OAC)
 

The first national white paper on the prevention of sea contamination was released Dec. 25 by the Kaohsiung City-headquartered Ocean Affairs Council, underscoring the government’s commitment to achieving a pollution-free marine environment by 2030 and promoting the circular economy.

Speaking at the ceremony, OAC Minister Kuan Bi-ling said that the paper is Taiwan’s pledge to actively engage in global ocean governance, adding that it outlines four major action plans to monitor the marine environment, strengthen management of ocean waste, enhance marine pollution prevention, and reinforce related education and international exchanges.

Together with Taiwan’s Marine Pollution Control Act, Marine Conservation Laws and Regulations, and pollution prevention fund, the newly launched white paper is expected to foster more sustainable oceans, Kuan added.

In her remarks, Ocean Conservation Administration Director-General Lu Shiau-yun, emphasized the need to protect Taiwan’s rich ocean biodiversity. The administration will oversee marine pollution prevention, sea waste management and marine ecosystem preservation in line with the white paper, she said.

Kuan concluded by urging the OCA to set short-, mid- and long-term pollution prevention goals; introduce advanced pollution prevention, control and management technologies; step up monitoring of microplastics; and integrate interministerial and interdisciplinary knowledge and resources to facilitate implementation of the white paper’s guidelines. (POC-E)