Ocean minister condemns Chinese fishers for cyanide fishing

Taipei, Sept. 15 (CNA) Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) on Monday condemned Chinese fishers for using cyanide and urged them to respect the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Speaking to reporters after the International Conference on Marine Environmental Management in Taipei, Kuan made the remarks following the recent seizure of a Chinese vessel by Taiwan's Coast Guard for illegally operating near Dongsha Island in the South China Sea carrying cyanide on board.

Cyanide fishing involves spraying a sodium cyanide mixture into a habitat to stun fish for capture. The practice harms not only the target species but also other marine organisms, including coral reefs.

All countries must respect UNCLOS, she said, condemning China's violations of international law and vowing that Taiwan will firmly defend its waters.

Kuan said Taiwan will work to enhance its maritime surveillance capabilities, starting with the development of drones before progressively expanding to manned aircraft.

Meanwhile, she also disclosed that the OAC's latest National Ocean Policy White Paper will be released at the end of this month.

According to the OAC, the white paper is released annually in accordance with the Ocean Basic Act. It serves as the blueprint for the government's ocean policy, outlining Taiwan's vision for marine development and its policy objectives.

The conference brought together 27 experts from the United States, France, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and India, as well as various Taiwanese academics, focusing on key issues such as marine environmental protection, pollution prevention, waste management, water and sediment quality management, and international cooperation.

During the event, a memorandum of agreement was signed between Taiwan and Indonesia that aims to deepen the two countries' partnership in marine debris management and lay a solid foundation for sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific region.