Page 41 - Hualien Sustainable Living Bilingual Magazine

Lin Dong-Liang, CEO of Kuroshio Ocean Education Foundation, has led numerous cetacean ecological tours and projects in line with the foundation's founding principles. He stressed that the waters off the east coast of Taiwan is precious because,“Taiwan has one of the most diverse cetacean and coral ecosystems in the world. Cetaceans are the key area of focus for the Kuroshio Ocean Education Foundation.”Among the more than 90 species of cetaceans in the world, 32 can be found around Taiwan, accounting for one-third of all cetacean species globally. Furthermore, 21 cetacean species have been observed living on the east coast and migrating seasonally.“Cetaceans are high-level predators and the most important species for showing the state of the ocean. If cetaceans are common here, it means that the area has a healthy ecosystem.” When it comes to marine education, Kuroshio Ocean Education Foundation is striving to reduce people's fear of the ocean. The team’s carefully planned tours are designed to give participants positive encouragement and happy memories of the beautiful ocean“. On our whale watching tours, we see many people who are afraid of the ocean. Through introductions by professional guides, we hope to show adults and children alike how to safely experience the ocean and get to know marine culture.”Lin talks about how landfills and incinerators were always built by the sea.“As we become more familiar with the ocean, we will recall memories of the ocean and pay more attention to its conservation.”Kuroshio Ocean Education Foundation has collaborated with Turumoan Whale Watching since its establishment, and has planned field trips for children as well as seminars to help teachers better understand how to incorporate cetacean education into the curriculum. Special itineraries are created for children with disabilities. Hualien Issue 36