Beach Cleanup Troops from the Skies
The geological differences of the islands of Taiwan have led to the development of different types of beach cleanup and ocean cleanup activities. The southern islands of Penghu feature spectacular basaltic landscapes. The coasts of Xijiyu accumulate a massive amount of waste brought by monsoons and ocean currents. The nearly 90-degree sea cliffs nearby cause great difficulties in removing the waste. Thankfully, the Taiwan Promise Public Welfare Association, formed by retired special forces volunteers and like-minded partners, provided great help in overcoming the harsh geological conditions and accomplishing the difficult mission.
In every activity, the Marine National Park Headquarters personnel and volunteers always uphold the principle of safety first and make proper preparations beforehand. However, the coasts are covered with gravel and are therefore slippery. The fact that participants can easily get hurt with the slightest distraction reveals their love for the land.
In September last year (2021), with the help from beach cleanup volunteers, the Marine National Park Headquarters specifically targeted large waste brought by ocean currents and Styrofoam particles. Styrofoam particles are not only difficult to remove but can also be easily ingested into the human body through the food chain, causing great damage to our health.
Dedication in Removing Waste from the Bottom of the Sea
The Kenting National Park Headquarters remove hundreds of kilograms of wasted fishing ropes and nets, aluminum and iron cans, plastic bottles and various artificial waste from the bottom of the sea every year with the help of local partners.
The Kenting National Park Headquarters have abundant experiences in organizing large-scale beach cleanups over the years. The annual large-scale beach cleanup is usually held on the day of Clean Up the World, in the third week of September. The activity has been organized for more than ten years. Every time, the registration is filled up shortly after opening to the public. People's enthusiastic participation demonstrates their sense of identity with the goal of the activity of the Kenting National Park Headquarters.
The Kenting National Park Headquarters continues to conduct the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) and uses the ICC action log. Statistics show that artificial waste from various countries can converge via ocean currents and form a marine waste zone if the waste is not properly recycled. The action log is used for detailed categorization and amount analysis to help us understand environmental issues and come up with ideas for improvement.
