SHARING THE OCEAN WITH AN ENDANGERED SPECIES

With the upcoming Second Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Workshop due to take place in September, a paper worth reading before this event is SHARING THE OCEAN WITH AN ENDANGERED SPECIES: THE CASE OF THE HUMPBACK DOLPHIN OF WESTERN TAIWAN by Alistair McIlgorm and John Y. Wang.

The Second International Workshop on the Taiwan Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins

The Second International Workshop on the Conservation and Research Needs of the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins, Sousa chinensis, in the waters of western Taiwan will take place in Changhua City, west-central Taiwan from September 4-7, 2007.

The workshop is being sponsored by the Council of Agriculture (Taiwan); National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium (Taiwan); and Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association amongst others. We believe that many of the international delegates from the first workshop will be returning so it would appear that Drs Reeves, Jefferson and Perrin will be present. Dr John Wang of FormosaCetus Research and Conservation Group will be chairing the workshop. The workshop will include cetacean researchers and scientists, conservationists, environmentalists, economists, developers, industry, and government. To our knowledge attendance of the workshop is by invitation only.

Report on the First Workshop on the Conservation and Research Needs of the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins in the Waters of Taiwan.

Sousa chinensis versus Industry

Just visible, a Sousa dolphin and the power plant at the mouth of the Dadu River 7/24.

Some recent photos of Sousa dolphins in the heavily industrialised area around the mouth of the Dadu River, Taichung.

Sunrise over the west coast, Wuchi, Taichung 7/24.

Three Sousa dolphins off the power plant 7/24.

Sousa dolphin fluke 7/24.

Sousa dolphin pair 7/24.

Sousa dolphin 7/24.

Heavy traffic off the Dadu mouth 7/24.

Fishing boat 7/24.

Fishing in the Dadu mouth 7/24.

Another disappointing reply from the Council of Agriculture

Here's the reply from the Taiwan Government's Council of Agriculture in response to our Letter of Response to the Council of Agriculture’s Letter. Our comments will follow as soon as we've had a chance to discuss the letter. In the mean time we would be very interested in hearing your views on the letter. Post a comment or send us an e-mail (keephushanwild@gmail.com) with your views.

"Dear---.

The Council of Agriculture (COA) shares your concern about Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. The small population of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin along the west coast of Taiwan was found in 2002 and we understand that this is an important discovery. In 2004, relevant agency of COA has supported "The First Workshop on Conservation of Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins, Sousa Chinesis, in the Waters of Taiwan."

In 2005, the COA relevant agency has requested the Environmental Protection Agency to include Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin as a factor into Environment Impact Assessments (EIA) for future development projects.

Recognizing that further study will be needed to determine the status of this species, the relevant agency of COA has commissioned scholar to conduct population survey and monitoring program of this species for three years now.

The Council of Agriculture appreciates your effort to bring this issue to the attention of relevant governmental agencies in Taiwan.

Sincerely,

Council of Agriculture"

WDCS News Page:-Taiwan’s humpback dolphins - dangerously close to extinction

See the WDCS News Page :-Taiwan’s humpback dolphins - dangerously close to extinction

Our thanks to WDCS for helping spread the word !

EPA accused of 'stalling tactics.'

On Thursday Environmental Impact Assessment Committee member, Gloria Hsu, alleged that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deliberately kept important cases off the Environmental Impact Assessment Committee's (EIAC) agenda. Read today's Taipei Times article titled "EPA accused of `stalling tactics' during protest."