Longdong, Gongliao, New Taipei City
Growing mainly in the subtidal zone, seaweed’s rich alginate content gives it a high economic value. For a long time, the women of Longdong Bay have been relying on the human instinct of survival for the ability to hold their breath underwater to handpick seaweed, with only simple snorkeling equipmen. The lifestyle of these women seaweed divershas become a classic example for the sustainable development of marine resources.
Citou Village, Baisha, Penghu
When the tide goes down, before the water reaches its lowest point, using simple tools, grandmother Ying hurriedly arranges stones into piles. After the stone piles have been in place for some time, she begins removing the stones to catch fish. Grandmother Ying’s traditional fishing method protects this rich fishing ground, and ensures the sustainability of the marine resources.
Fangyuan, Changhua
Oysters living in mudflats rely on the tide to bring in nutrients for their growth. The daily lifestyle of coastal residents follows the rhythm of the tides, through which them too acquire life-sustaining nutrients. For nearly two centuries, the large tidal waves have incited generations of mutualistic interactions between man and other living creatures.
Fangyuan, Changhua
During low tide, the mudflat becomes a paradise for treasure hunters. In addition to foraging birds and crabs, human also gather here, stooping to dig for treasure!
In these free restaurants frequented by man and other creatures, coastal residents using simple tools can bring back a sumptuous meal from the sea.
Jincheng, Kinmen
Under the scorching sun, the elderly women of Kinmen women rake the mudflats for clams. In addition to their own indulgence, the clams can also be sold at the market to supplement family income. If the coastal environment is not destroyed and the tide cycle is not obstructed, future generations will continue to enjoy such fruits of the ocean.
Guningtou, Kinmen
The traditional oyster farming of Kinmen has a history of about four hundred years. Oysters prefer the environment in coastal estuaries because such waters are rich in plankton and organic detritus. As filter feeders, oysters have an incredible ability to purify water. Therefore, raising and eating oysters is akin to saving the coastal environment.
Fengbin, Hualien
On winter nights, coastal estuaries come alive with people holding lamps and fine triangular fishing nets. They soak themselves in freezing water and endure the cold wind, just to catch larval eels. These larval eels are from deep trenches in the Pacific Ocean, which after drifting with ocean currents for about six months, are ready to travel back upstream from the estuary where they will grow to adulthood.
Orchid Island, Taitung
Traditional Tao canoes and flying fish are an indispensable element of the culture and life of Orchid Island. A group of Tao people row into the dark sea on a large ten-person canoe, and a fire torch is lit. The torch attracts flying fish to the side of the canoe, which are then caught in hand nets. This is the most precious marine culture in Taiwan, and a class example for the sustainable use of marine resources.
Orchid Island, Taitung
For the Tao people of Orchid Island, the process of catching flying fish comes with many taboos and rituals, which have persisted over countless generations allowing the tribe to thrive, it is the culture of respect for heaven, fear of the sea, and gratitude for the flying fish that provide food for the tribe. , have allowed their culture to continue for. In recent years, many of the younger generation have returned to their tribal villages to learn about this wisdom of life and the essence of their ancestral marine culture.
Huanggang Village, Jinshan, New Taipei City
“Sulfuric fire fishing” is a traditional fishing technique that uses sulfur soil combined with water to produce acetylene gas. Once the fishermen find a shoal of fish, they will ignite the gas, producing bright light and a loud boom. Attraced to the light or scared by the loud noise, large numbers of scaled sardines leap out of the water, giving fishermen an opportunity to scoop the fish up. Unfortunately, this unique form of torch fishing from the north coast of Taiwan is gradually disappearing.
Fengbin, Hualien
Obscured by the waves and strong winds, the fishermen step onto the harpoon stand with a harpoon in hand. With full concentration, they thrust deep into the swordfish swimming just below the ocean surface with all their might. Swordfish harpooning is a method of traditional fishing that requires a combination of courage, skill and luck. It is considered a bona fide way to qualify a true fisherman.
Fengbin, Hualien
An ancient fishing method with which fish are led into a trap, set-net fishing has employed different methods throughout the ages. Currently, the use of large set nets is widespread in the coastal waters of Taiwan, in which all types and sizes of fish are being trapped day and night. This has created high catch rates and high economic returns, but poses a real threat for the sustainability of marine resources.
Hengchun, Pingtung
Each year, around the third month of the lunar calendar, flying fish migrate in large schools to spawn in waters near Taiwan. 52 species of flying fish have been recorded around the world, 21 of which can be found in Taiwan. Though rich in resources, advances in Taiwanese fishing techniques have greatly increased catches resulting in rapidly declining fish stocks. The overall long-term impact on the marine ecosystem is difficult to assess.
Sipadan Island, Malaysia
Sipadan Island is located in the Coral Triangle, the global center of marine biodiversity. Thousands of fish species and hundreds of coral species are found in these coral reef waters. Being one of the top ten diving destinations in the world, there are strict restrictions on number of tourists and fishing activities in the surrounding waters, in order to protect the underwater environment of Sipadan Island, making it an international role model for marine conservation work.
Vavaʻu, Tonga
Every year, humpback whales migrate from the cold Antarctic waters to warmer waters, where they breed and raise their young. They love to sing, often leaping out of the water and breach the waves. They will also use their tails and pectoral fins to vigorously slap the surface of the water, splashing water and making a great clamor. Such behavior is still not fully understood by man, but it never fails to attract people, who can‘t help but scream with excitement.
Oslob, Philippines
Mysterious, enormous, and gentle, the whale shark is the largest fish in the ocean, and overturns people’s terrifying impression of sharks. People in different regions have different uses for whale sharks. As a result, along its thousands of kilometers of migratory paths, whale sharks face many uncertainties and dangers.
Huoyanshan, Gongliao, New Taipei City
Cephalopods are one of the smartest creatures in the ocean. They have a highly developed brain system and sensory system, allowing them to control changes in pigment cells on their body surface. This creates different patterns and different body postures, which is one of the ways they communicate with each other. During spawning season, such behavior is particularly animated.
The Waters Off Hualien
The characteristic leaping, twisting and diving behaviors of whales and dolphins always grab people’s attention. Whale watching is an ideal way of peaceful coexistence between man and other living organisms. Whale-watching tourism allows fishermen to make a living, while at the same time allows whales and dolphins to live safely in their natural environment.
Toshima Island, Japan
Swimming with dolphins in their natural habitat, observing their feeding, playing and swimming behaviors up close in shallow waters, is the dream of many people. When dolphins accept us and two different species connect in the same space and time, experiencing mutual goodwill, understanding and trust, it is surely the highest state of coexistence between man and other living creatures.
Credit: Nana Takanawa
Green Island, Taiwan
Students graduating from elementary school paddle around Green Island in canoes. Along the way, they not only experience the temperament of the sea and learn how to cope with it, but also build up the courage to overcome difficulties and team spirits. After having their perseverance tested by the waves, they receive their first diploma in life, a gift from the sea.
Credit: Chien Yu-chun
Orchid Island, Taitung
In July 2011, the Tao people of Orchid Island completed the building of “Si Mangavang”, a grand canoe with 18 rowers. Starting from Orchid Island, they rowed across the Kuroshio and the Bashi Channel, before heading north along the Taiwan Strait to visit friends in the south and west coast of Taiwan. After 18 days at sea and an 800 km voyage, they arrived at the mouth of Tamsui River. The journey was a wonderful display of traditional shipbuilding craftmanship and the maritime culture of sailing adventures.
Shoufeng, Hualien
In order to satisfy the curiosity of people and commercial interests, marine creatures are relocated in the name of education and research; in reality, it is merely to entertain the consumers. Dolphins are deprived from living freely in the vast open sea and kept in tiny captivity, where they constantly swim around in circles. Confined in such tiny enclosures, animals often display repetitive and self-destructive behaviors.