To highlight the significance of marine pollution on the environment, the cities of Taoyuan, New Taipei, Taipei, and Keelung jointly organized a creek and beach cleanup event today (29th). A total of over 4,035 individuals participated, clearing approximately 11,998.68 kilograms of general waste and 2,700.84 kilograms of recyclables. Taoyuan chose the Zhuwei Fishing Harbor as the cleanup location and selected ten creeks within the city for the cleanup effort. Led by Director Chen Shih-Wei of the Environmental Protection Department, the coastal patrol team, water environment monitoring team, environmental volunteers, and corporate participants collectively contributed to the cleanup effort, with a total of 1,260 people dedicating their hearts to the coast and marine ecology. The cleanup resulted in the collection of 6,938 kilograms of waste (including 1,762 kilograms of recyclables), rejuvenating the banks of the Taoyuan River and the beach.
Director Chen Shih-Wei of the Environmental Protection Department emphasized that based on the investigation of coastal waste in Taoyuan in 2022, fishing gear, general waste, and plastic bottles are the primary types of marine debris along the Taoyuan coast. Disposable plastic products remain the most prevalent, with many broken down into tiny fragments. Not only are they challenging to remove, but they are also easily mistaken as food by marine organisms. In recent years, there have been unfortunate reports of the deaths of marine species such as seabirds, dolphins, and sea turtles. Autopsies have revealed that their stomachs were filled with plastic waste, ultimately leading to malnutrition and death. The excessive use of disposable plastic products is the greatest threat to marine life. Beach cleanups alone are not the ultimate solution to ocean pollution. Only by actively reducing plastic usage in our daily lives can we truly protect the ocean and demonstrate our profound love for it.
The Department of Environmental Protection stated that the municipal government attaches great importance to the issue of marine waste. It has established 16 coastal patrol teams, 70 water environment monitoring teams, 6 diving teams, and 3 environmental protection fleets, comprising a total of 3,700 volunteers. Over the years, the goal has been to conduct regular, emergency, and immediate cleanups, significantly enhancing the efficiency of waste removal from the Taoyuan rivers and oceans. To effectively recycle and reuse marine waste, the municipal government has established the Blue Ocean Recycling Alliance. Through recycling, regeneration processes, certification labeling, and product marketing, it aims to reduce the burden of end-of-life disposal and realize the goal of a circular economy for marine waste while also creating valuable commercial models. This year, the Taoyuan City government, together with Keelung, Taipei, and New Taipei, collected “plastic bottles from the creek and beach cleanup” and entrusted them to Oriental Green Materials Ltd., a Blue Ocean Recycling Alliance member, to be transformed into functional sportswear. In the future, the collection of discarded fishing nets, plastic buoys, and expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam will be gradually expanded to create a blue ocean regeneration business opportunity.
The Office of Coast Administration Construction appeals to the public to be mindful during the breeding season of the Sternula albifrons and the Kentish plover, which occurs from May to August. These delicate birds prefer to nest and breed on open sandy areas near the sea. Their eggs have colors and patterns similar to stones, making them difficult to detect. It is imperative for beachgoers to remain attentive to the ground beneath their feet and refrain from inadvertently treading upon these avian eggs. If you encounter the avian mother, it is likewise advised to maintain a suitable distance, providing them with an undisturbed environment for nurturing their fledglings.
Lastly, the Department of Environmental Protection extends its gratitude to the participating enterprises, coastal patrol teams, water environment monitoring teams, and environmental volunteer teams that took part in the creek and beach cleanup. Thanks to everyone’s diligent efforts, the rivers and coastlines of Taoyuan have undergone a remarkable transformation. Today, attendees at the event included Chen Shih-Wei, Director of the Environmental Protection Department of Taoyuan; Chiang Yu-Te, Director of the Office of Coast Administration Construction of Taoyuan; Lin Li-Chang, Team Leader of the Environmental Maintenance and Inspection Division of Taoyuan; Chen Jui-Chang, General Affairs Officer of the Civil Affairs Office of Dayuan District of Taoyuan; Chen I-Cheng, General Secretary of the Taoyuan District Fishery Association; Yu Su-Chu, Chief of Shalun Village; Chang Chin-Feng, Chief of Haikou Village; Huang Hsing-Lung, Chief of Tianxin Village; Hsu Chen-Kun, Chief of Hengfeng Village; Wu Tsai-Yueh, Chief of Qingshan Village; Liu Chiu-Hsia, Chief of Qingfeng Village; Kuo Hsien-Chang, Chief of Yong’an Village; Lin Wen-Chuan, Secretary of Legislator Huang Shih-Chieh’s District Office; Kuo Chen-Yung, Deputy Director of Councilor Hsu Chi-Wan’s District Office; Tsai Chen-Fu, Director of Councilor Yu Wu-Ho’s District Office, the 8th Coastal Patrol Team of the Northern Branch, Coast Guard Administration, Ocean Affairs Council; Nankan Harbor Coastal Patrol Team of Luzhu District, Taoyuan City; Coastal Patrol Team in Luzhu District, Haikou Coastal Patrol Team in Dayuan District, Golden Coast Patrol Team in Dayuan District, Hsucuo Harbor Coastal Patrol Team in Dayuan District, Guanyin Coast Patrol Team in Guanyin District, Baosheng Community Coastal Patrol Team in Guanyin District, Yong'an Coast Patrol Team in Xinwu District, Bengang Community Coastal Patrol Team in Xinwu District, Qianyuwan Coastal Patrol Team in Xinwu District, Oyster Bay Coastal Patrol Team in Xinwu District, Haikou Village Environmental Volunteer Team in Dayuan District, Shalun Village Environmental Volunteer Team in Dayuan District, Nangang Village Environmental Volunteer Team in Dayuan District, Qingfeng Village Environmental Volunteer Team in Dayuan District, Tianxin Village Environmental Volunteer Team in Dayuan District, Heping Village Environmental Volunteer Team in Dayuan District, Qingshan Village Environmental Volunteer Team in Dayuan District, Hengfeng Village Environmental Volunteer Team in Dayuan District, Dagui Creek Water Patrol Team, Ziqiang Village Water Patrol Team, Bianzhou Village Water Patrol Team, Zhongyi Village Water Patrol Team, Qingxi Creek Water Patrol Team, Chunchi Creek Water Patrol Team, Zhongyang Village Water Patrol Team, Zhongli Old Street Creek Water Patrol Team, Renxiang Village Water Patrol Team, Renyi Village Water Patrol Team, Xingfu Village Water Patrol Team, Zhongfu Village Water Patrol Team, Linsen Village Water Patrol Team, Puyi Village Water Patrol Team, Huangqian Creek Water Patrol Team, Aixiangtu Water Patrol Team, Xinjie Village Water Patrol Team, Deyi Village Water Patrol Team, Xingping Village Water Patrol Team, Shuitou Bogong Water Patrol Team, Xinrong Village Water Patrol Team, Yongfeng Village Water Patrol Team, Qieming Creek Water Patrol Team, Dahe Community Water Patrol Team, Laokeng Creek Water Patrol Team, Yuanben Village Water Patrol Team, Xinmei Water Patrol Team, Yangxin Blue Sky Water Patrol Team, Ruiyuan Village Water Patrol Team, Zhongxing Village Water Patrol Team, Tuzikeng Water Patrol Team, Jingzhongyanxi Water Patrol Team, Shehe Riverbed Water Patrol Team, Nankan Village Water Patrol Team, Xinzhuang Li Daxin Water Patrol Team, Jinxing Village Water Patrol Team, Sankengzi Water Patrol Team, Shanghua Water Patrol Team, Neizha Water Patrol Team, Yuemei Community Water Patrol Team, Dayuan Water Patrol Team, Neihaipian Water Patrol Team, Guolin Village Water Patrol Team, Guolin Community Water Patrol Team, Baosheng Community Water Patrol Team, Guangxing Village Water Patrol Team, Shulin Community Water Patrol Team, Ecological Environmental Protection Association Water Patrol Team, Shipai Water Patrol Team, Shilei Community Water Patrol Team, Dongming Village Water Patrol Team, Houhu Village Water Patrol Team, Puding Water Patrol Team, Haikexiehui Water Patrol Team, Touzhou Community Water Patrol Team, Micron Water Environmental Patrol Team (Micron Technology Taiwan, Inc.), Oriental Green Materials Ltd., Taiwan Scott Paper Co., Ltd., Shenjiu International Co., Ltd., Taiwan Cummins Sales & Services Co., Ltd., Power Limited, Min Aik Precision Industrial Co., Ltd., Huge Bamboo Enterprise Co., Ltd., LuxNet Corporation, ECOVE Environmenet Services Corporation, and other companies.