It shouldn't surprise us. We knew what was coming. After the so-called Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) barred local residents and environmental groups from the previous hearing because of alleged misbehaviour shouldn't we have known what was coming? Shouldn't we have known that yesterday, like it always does, that the EPA would once again deal a devastating blow to Taiwan's environment? And, yes, that's exactly what they did. The CTSP Erlin Science Park has been given the green light. Despite opposition from local residents, mostly farmers and fishers who fear pollution will destroy their livelihoods and way of life. Despite the fate of the critically endangered Taiwan Humpback Dolphins hanging in the balance. Despite the devastating impact this will have on the natural environment, the EPA has once again come out in favour of short-term unsustainable heavy industry.
See today's Taipei Times for the story.
Also see:
Leave Taiwan's future a clean Chuoshui River
Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park; Protect Farmers, Fishermen and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Update: Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park - Protect Farmers, Fishers and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Extinction Guaranteed by Ma and Wu’s Cat in the Hat Economics?
The saga of the CTSP Erlin Science Park and the Kuokuang Petrochemical Project
All three effluent discharge proposals for Central Taiwan Science Park development will lead to pollution of humpback dolphin habitat
More protests at the EPA against the CTSP Erlin Science Park
Taiwan's Humpback Dolphins face extinction
EPA responds to local fisherman's Erlin criticisms
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Taiwan Pink Dolphin Extinction Guaranteed by Ma and Wu’s Cat in the Hat Economics?
Two stories from today’s local Hanji [1] press indicate that Taiwan continues to practice “Cat in the Hat” economics. The first was “Premier Wu Dun-yi: Three Major Investment Projects Will Spur Employment” in which we were told about the Executive Yuan support for the Fourth Stage of the Central Science Park Erlin, the Guoguang Petrochemical project and the Fifth Stage of the Sixth Naphtha Plant of Formosa Plastics. The investments will be more than a million million NT$ and will bring twenty to thirty thousand jobs. The second was about how the first of those projects, the Central Science Park project a Erlin would overcome all obstacles to achieve its purpose, the main obstacle, according to the article, being the disposal of waste water. If they can’t give it to the Guo Guang Petrochemical Park to use, then they will pipe it three kilometers out into ETS Sousa habitat.
I thought Cat in the Hat Economics might be an original idea with me, maybe it is, but someone beat me to it with a blogger talking about the metaphor in the context of the banking bail out[2].
Most of us should remember the story of the Cat in the Hat. The kid (Wall Street and the banking industry) makes a mess and creates a stain and the Cat in the Hat (The US Government) tries one thing after another but can get rid of the problem. The cat simply transfers the stain from one article to another actually making it far worse in the process. Morale of the story: One can't run from or hide from problems to deal with them.
Actually, we are going further than this. The Chinese KMT Ma regime is actually continuing on its merry path, deceiving the Taiwanese into thinking nothing has really changed in the world, there is no climate destabilization, or if there is, it has nothing to do with us and government policies to encourage toxic high waste, high consumption industries are fine, because amidst the social, economic and natural environmental havoc it is laying on Taiwan, there is a magic bullet at the end – something that will “clean it all up” as that little last cat did just in time. The magic pill changes from day to day, sometimes it is China and ECFA, sometimes it is new investments. But the mess keeps growing and along with the human cost in terms of health, social justice and economic security, we are taking down many, many other species with us. So there really is little point in all of this talk about a green economy, because there is no way we are going to catch up with the destructive practices of government, industry, academia and our elected officials. Friday is the show-down on Erlin at the EPA’s EIA plenary meeting.
English translation of the two articles
Wu Dun-yi: Three Major Investment Projects Will Spur Employment
Economic Daily News Reported by Wu Bi-eh, Ciu Sin-yi in Taipei and Tainan
25 October 2009
Executive Yuan Premier Wu Dun-yi yesterday (24 October 2009) pointed out that stimulating jobs and cutting the unemployment rate are the governments most important policies at this time so that the Executive Yuan will promote the Fourth Stage of the Central Science Park, the Guoguang Petrochemical project and the Fifth Stage of the Sixth Naphtha Plant of Formosa Plastics. The investments will be more than a million million NT$ and will bring twenty to thirty thousand employment opportunities.
At a jobs fair in Tainan yesterday, while attending the activities, Wu Dun-yi emphasized the governments resolve in promoting large scale investment projects; he pointed out the government’s absolute duty to provide an environment in which people can be assured of jobs and stimulate employment and this has also been the policy of objective since he took office.
The Directorate General of Budget Accounting and Statistics announce that the September unemployment rate, although down a bit, was still more than 6%; Wu Dun-yi pointed out that while stimulating short term employment opportunities would have some positive impact on the unemployment rate, the most fundamental way was to create long term stable job opportunities.
Jennifer Wang, Minster of Labor said the “immediate get to work plan” starting from October last year through 21 October this year, was to deal with the fallout from the financial crisis and statistics showed that just in the counties of Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan the service center had already helped 6,710 people get jobs.
In addition, the government has also begun a special program to develop diverse employment opportunities, helping to find employment for middle and elderly people who have lost their jobs as well as disadvantaged groups.
To stimulate jobs the Council for Labor Affairs starting from 22 October will hold a series of seven large scale job fairs altogether providing twenty thousand jobs; at the fair in Tainan yesterday one hundred businesses were looking for over 3000 applicants to fill positions, including leading companies such as 奇美電、晶電、茂迪、益通 whose orders have been recovering business developments otherwise call for more jobs. In total the number of attendees yesterday were 6,596 with 7,780 applications being filed and preliminary successes in matching job seekers with employment opportunities were at 1,514 or a success rate of 26.3 percent.
According to 104 Labor Bank, the demand for personnel has rebounded and for the past ten months has been increasing, with 243,000 positions open in October. With the economic recovery the unemployment rate has peaked and there is a falling trend which bodes well for the jobless situation.
Central Science Park Fourth Stage – Barging the Gates of Environmental Impact Assessment
Economic Daily News Reported by Sung Jian-sheng from Taichung
25 October 2009
The Environmental Protection Administration has set Friday (30 October 2009) to have a meeting of the plenary session of the Environmental Impact Assessment Commission on the fourth stage of the Central Science Park in Erlin, which if the EIA goes smoothly, Yang Wun-ke, the head of the CSP Bureau, says ground breaking can begin as early as before the end of the year and it could be completed within five years.
Yang Wun-ke emphasized that AUO has planned an investment in the park amounting to NT$4,000,000,000,000 to build the largest optical fibre plants in the county to start up by the third quarter next year, so looking at the status of the EIA, if the case goes through in the plenary there should be no adverse impact on the progress of AUO’s investment.
There are already over ten companies that are interested in investment in the Erlin Central Science Park, and in addition to AUO, Winbond, Chunghwa Picture Tube, Hota, Syudong (?), the French company Air Liquide, Dipao (?), Kefong (?), Helius Power Corporation total investments will be over NT$6,000,000,000,000.
To ensure that the Erlin Park does not end up still born, Premier Wu Dun-yi has already indicated that if the waste water from Erlin can be used for the Guoguang Petrochemical Plant’s use then the connecting pipeline will be laid. If Guoguang Petrochemical, can’t use the water then it will be discharged into the ocean three kilometers from the low tide line, after passing through a pipeline that will be three kilometers so as to ensure that the people of Yunlin and Changhua can rest assured.
Yang Wun-ke said that the EIA subcommittee passed the case with conditions and the Central Science Park Administration will do its best to oblige, in the future the discharge pipeline will be extended from 14 kilometers to 35 kilometers and the total investment increased from 3.3 billion NT$ to 6.87 billion, such additional funds to come out of the Science Park Operating Fund.
In the midst of the voices of protest the EIA subcommittee passed the continuation of the case conditionally.
Currently the largest investor in Central Science Park case is AUO which plans an optoelectronics village with NT$4,000,000,000,000 which will be used to build fourth generation 10 inch wafer fab and this will also attract downstream related businesses, and as the chip industry has seen recovery, AUO’s two 8.5 inch wafer fabs in the Central Science Park in Houli have also restarted operations.
吳敦義：三大投資 促進就業
【經濟日報╱記者吳碧娥、邱馨儀╱台北、台南報導】2009.10.25 04:18 am
行政院長吳敦義昨（24）日指出，促進就業與降低失業率是政府當前最重要的政策，行政院將推動中科四期、國光石化與台塑六輕五期等三個大型投資計畫，投資總額逾兆元，將可帶動二、三萬個就業機會。
勞委會昨天在台南舉辦就業博覽會，吳敦義在出席活動時強調政府推動重大投資計畫的決心；他指出，為民眾提供安心的勞動環境、促進就業，是政府責無旁貸的事，也是他上任後的施政目標。
主計處最近公布9月失業率，雖然小幅下跌，但仍突破6%；吳敦義指出，促進短期就業對改善失業率雖有一定效果，但最根本的，還是要創造長期穩定的工作機會。
勞委會主委王如玄表示，「立即上工計畫」是為因應金融海嘯自去年10月推動，截至今年10月21日，統計僅雲嘉南區就業服務中心即已協助6,710人就業。
此外，政府也開辦多元就業開發專案，幫助中高年齡失業、弱勢族群就業。
為促進就業，勞委會從22日起陸續辦理七場大型就業博覽會，共釋出2萬多個工作機會；昨天在台南縣舉辦的就業博覽會，有100多家廠家提供3,000多個職缺，包括奇美電、晶電、茂迪、益通等指標企業，都因訂單回流或產業發展傳出利多釋出大量職缺，統計昨天共湧入6,596人，投遞履歷7,780人次，初步媒合1,514人，媒合率達二成六三。
根據104人力銀行統計，人力需求持續回升，工作職缺數已連十個月成長，10月時已達到24.3萬個職缺。隨景氣逐步復甦，失業率有探頂下滑趨勢，接下來循環性失業狀況可望好轉。
【2009/10/25 經濟日報】
中科四期環評 再闖關
【經濟日報╱記者宋健生／台中報導】2009.10.25 04:18 am
環保署訂本周五（30日）召開中科四期二林園區基地環評大會，中科管理局長楊文科表示，環評若順利過關，二林園區最快今年底前動工，預計五年內完工。
楊文科強調，友達將在二林園區投資4,000億元，建構我國最大的光電產業聚落，預計明年第三季啟動，以目前二林園區環評進度來看，只要環評大會順利通過，應不致影響友達的投資與建廠進度。
中科二林園區已有十幾家廠商表達投資意願，除了友達，還有華邦、華映、和大、旭東、法商液空、帝寶、科風、東君能源系統等，累計投資金額已逾6,000億元。
為力保二林園區開發不會胎死腹中，行政院長吳敦義已指示，中科四期排放水若可供國光石化運用，則可用接管方式送達。若國光石化不用，放流點可經由低潮線起算，加長3公里的排放管，排放至海域，務必做到讓雲林及彰化兩縣民眾都能放心。
楊文科說，環評審查小組的附帶條件，中科管理局會全力支持配合，未來二林園區廢水排放管線長度，將由原規劃的14公里延長為35公里，總經費由33億元增至68.7億元，新增經費由科學園區作業基金中借貸支應。
在民眾抗議聲中，環評專案小組延續會議日前有條件通過中科二林園區的環評審查。
專案小組要求，二林基地在初期與中期階段，必須完成海岸排放專管才能營運，每日廢水排放量必須在7萬噸以下，環評委員還要求，廢水須排放在濁水溪或是舊濁水溪河口潮間帶的低潮線以下。
中科二林園區原訂今年7月底動工，但因環評審查受阻，工程延誤近半年，投資廠商焦慮不已。楊文科說，環評審查初步過關，大家都鬆了一口氣，希望環評大會能夠順利通過此案。
中科二林園區目前最大的投資案，是友達計畫建構的光電產業聚落，總投資金額達4,000億元，將規劃興建四座十代以上大尺寸面板廠，並引進上中下游產業關聯廠商。隨面板產業景氣復甦，友達中科后里園區的第二座8.5代廠已經復工。
【2009/10/25 經濟日報】
Click here to sign the petion against the CTSP Erlin Science Park project.
Also see:
Leave Taiwan's future a clean Chuoshui River
Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park; Protect Farmers, Fishermen and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Update: Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park - Protect Farmers, Fishers and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Black Friday for Erlin - The EPA once again strikes a blow against the environment
The saga of the CTSP Erlin Science Park and the Kuokuang Petrochemical Project
All three effluent discharge proposals for Central Taiwan Science Park development will lead to pollution of humpback dolphin habitat
More protests at the EPA against the CTSP Erlin Science Park
Taiwan's Humpback Dolphins face extinction
I thought Cat in the Hat Economics might be an original idea with me, maybe it is, but someone beat me to it with a blogger talking about the metaphor in the context of the banking bail out[2].
Most of us should remember the story of the Cat in the Hat. The kid (Wall Street and the banking industry) makes a mess and creates a stain and the Cat in the Hat (The US Government) tries one thing after another but can get rid of the problem. The cat simply transfers the stain from one article to another actually making it far worse in the process. Morale of the story: One can't run from or hide from problems to deal with them.
Actually, we are going further than this. The Chinese KMT Ma regime is actually continuing on its merry path, deceiving the Taiwanese into thinking nothing has really changed in the world, there is no climate destabilization, or if there is, it has nothing to do with us and government policies to encourage toxic high waste, high consumption industries are fine, because amidst the social, economic and natural environmental havoc it is laying on Taiwan, there is a magic bullet at the end – something that will “clean it all up” as that little last cat did just in time. The magic pill changes from day to day, sometimes it is China and ECFA, sometimes it is new investments. But the mess keeps growing and along with the human cost in terms of health, social justice and economic security, we are taking down many, many other species with us. So there really is little point in all of this talk about a green economy, because there is no way we are going to catch up with the destructive practices of government, industry, academia and our elected officials. Friday is the show-down on Erlin at the EPA’s EIA plenary meeting.
English translation of the two articles
Wu Dun-yi: Three Major Investment Projects Will Spur Employment
Economic Daily News Reported by Wu Bi-eh, Ciu Sin-yi in Taipei and Tainan
25 October 2009
Executive Yuan Premier Wu Dun-yi yesterday (24 October 2009) pointed out that stimulating jobs and cutting the unemployment rate are the governments most important policies at this time so that the Executive Yuan will promote the Fourth Stage of the Central Science Park, the Guoguang Petrochemical project and the Fifth Stage of the Sixth Naphtha Plant of Formosa Plastics. The investments will be more than a million million NT$ and will bring twenty to thirty thousand employment opportunities.
At a jobs fair in Tainan yesterday, while attending the activities, Wu Dun-yi emphasized the governments resolve in promoting large scale investment projects; he pointed out the government’s absolute duty to provide an environment in which people can be assured of jobs and stimulate employment and this has also been the policy of objective since he took office.
The Directorate General of Budget Accounting and Statistics announce that the September unemployment rate, although down a bit, was still more than 6%; Wu Dun-yi pointed out that while stimulating short term employment opportunities would have some positive impact on the unemployment rate, the most fundamental way was to create long term stable job opportunities.
Jennifer Wang, Minster of Labor said the “immediate get to work plan” starting from October last year through 21 October this year, was to deal with the fallout from the financial crisis and statistics showed that just in the counties of Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan the service center had already helped 6,710 people get jobs.
In addition, the government has also begun a special program to develop diverse employment opportunities, helping to find employment for middle and elderly people who have lost their jobs as well as disadvantaged groups.
To stimulate jobs the Council for Labor Affairs starting from 22 October will hold a series of seven large scale job fairs altogether providing twenty thousand jobs; at the fair in Tainan yesterday one hundred businesses were looking for over 3000 applicants to fill positions, including leading companies such as 奇美電、晶電、茂迪、益通 whose orders have been recovering business developments otherwise call for more jobs. In total the number of attendees yesterday were 6,596 with 7,780 applications being filed and preliminary successes in matching job seekers with employment opportunities were at 1,514 or a success rate of 26.3 percent.
According to 104 Labor Bank, the demand for personnel has rebounded and for the past ten months has been increasing, with 243,000 positions open in October. With the economic recovery the unemployment rate has peaked and there is a falling trend which bodes well for the jobless situation.
Central Science Park Fourth Stage – Barging the Gates of Environmental Impact Assessment
Economic Daily News Reported by Sung Jian-sheng from Taichung
25 October 2009
The Environmental Protection Administration has set Friday (30 October 2009) to have a meeting of the plenary session of the Environmental Impact Assessment Commission on the fourth stage of the Central Science Park in Erlin, which if the EIA goes smoothly, Yang Wun-ke, the head of the CSP Bureau, says ground breaking can begin as early as before the end of the year and it could be completed within five years.
Yang Wun-ke emphasized that AUO has planned an investment in the park amounting to NT$4,000,000,000,000 to build the largest optical fibre plants in the county to start up by the third quarter next year, so looking at the status of the EIA, if the case goes through in the plenary there should be no adverse impact on the progress of AUO’s investment.
There are already over ten companies that are interested in investment in the Erlin Central Science Park, and in addition to AUO, Winbond, Chunghwa Picture Tube, Hota, Syudong (?), the French company Air Liquide, Dipao (?), Kefong (?), Helius Power Corporation total investments will be over NT$6,000,000,000,000.
To ensure that the Erlin Park does not end up still born, Premier Wu Dun-yi has already indicated that if the waste water from Erlin can be used for the Guoguang Petrochemical Plant’s use then the connecting pipeline will be laid. If Guoguang Petrochemical, can’t use the water then it will be discharged into the ocean three kilometers from the low tide line, after passing through a pipeline that will be three kilometers so as to ensure that the people of Yunlin and Changhua can rest assured.
Yang Wun-ke said that the EIA subcommittee passed the case with conditions and the Central Science Park Administration will do its best to oblige, in the future the discharge pipeline will be extended from 14 kilometers to 35 kilometers and the total investment increased from 3.3 billion NT$ to 6.87 billion, such additional funds to come out of the Science Park Operating Fund.
In the midst of the voices of protest the EIA subcommittee passed the continuation of the case conditionally.
Currently the largest investor in Central Science Park case is AUO which plans an optoelectronics village with NT$4,000,000,000,000 which will be used to build fourth generation 10 inch wafer fab and this will also attract downstream related businesses, and as the chip industry has seen recovery, AUO’s two 8.5 inch wafer fabs in the Central Science Park in Houli have also restarted operations.
吳敦義：三大投資 促進就業
【經濟日報╱記者吳碧娥、邱馨儀╱台北、台南報導】2009.10.25 04:18 am
行政院長吳敦義昨（24）日指出，促進就業與降低失業率是政府當前最重要的政策，行政院將推動中科四期、國光石化與台塑六輕五期等三個大型投資計畫，投資總額逾兆元，將可帶動二、三萬個就業機會。
勞委會昨天在台南舉辦就業博覽會，吳敦義在出席活動時強調政府推動重大投資計畫的決心；他指出，為民眾提供安心的勞動環境、促進就業，是政府責無旁貸的事，也是他上任後的施政目標。
主計處最近公布9月失業率，雖然小幅下跌，但仍突破6%；吳敦義指出，促進短期就業對改善失業率雖有一定效果，但最根本的，還是要創造長期穩定的工作機會。
勞委會主委王如玄表示，「立即上工計畫」是為因應金融海嘯自去年10月推動，截至今年10月21日，統計僅雲嘉南區就業服務中心即已協助6,710人就業。
此外，政府也開辦多元就業開發專案，幫助中高年齡失業、弱勢族群就業。
為促進就業，勞委會從22日起陸續辦理七場大型就業博覽會，共釋出2萬多個工作機會；昨天在台南縣舉辦的就業博覽會，有100多家廠家提供3,000多個職缺，包括奇美電、晶電、茂迪、益通等指標企業，都因訂單回流或產業發展傳出利多釋出大量職缺，統計昨天共湧入6,596人，投遞履歷7,780人次，初步媒合1,514人，媒合率達二成六三。
根據104人力銀行統計，人力需求持續回升，工作職缺數已連十個月成長，10月時已達到24.3萬個職缺。隨景氣逐步復甦，失業率有探頂下滑趨勢，接下來循環性失業狀況可望好轉。
【2009/10/25 經濟日報】
中科四期環評 再闖關
【經濟日報╱記者宋健生／台中報導】2009.10.25 04:18 am
環保署訂本周五（30日）召開中科四期二林園區基地環評大會，中科管理局長楊文科表示，環評若順利過關，二林園區最快今年底前動工，預計五年內完工。
楊文科強調，友達將在二林園區投資4,000億元，建構我國最大的光電產業聚落，預計明年第三季啟動，以目前二林園區環評進度來看，只要環評大會順利通過，應不致影響友達的投資與建廠進度。
中科二林園區已有十幾家廠商表達投資意願，除了友達，還有華邦、華映、和大、旭東、法商液空、帝寶、科風、東君能源系統等，累計投資金額已逾6,000億元。
為力保二林園區開發不會胎死腹中，行政院長吳敦義已指示，中科四期排放水若可供國光石化運用，則可用接管方式送達。若國光石化不用，放流點可經由低潮線起算，加長3公里的排放管，排放至海域，務必做到讓雲林及彰化兩縣民眾都能放心。
楊文科說，環評審查小組的附帶條件，中科管理局會全力支持配合，未來二林園區廢水排放管線長度，將由原規劃的14公里延長為35公里，總經費由33億元增至68.7億元，新增經費由科學園區作業基金中借貸支應。
在民眾抗議聲中，環評專案小組延續會議日前有條件通過中科二林園區的環評審查。
專案小組要求，二林基地在初期與中期階段，必須完成海岸排放專管才能營運，每日廢水排放量必須在7萬噸以下，環評委員還要求，廢水須排放在濁水溪或是舊濁水溪河口潮間帶的低潮線以下。
中科二林園區原訂今年7月底動工，但因環評審查受阻，工程延誤近半年，投資廠商焦慮不已。楊文科說，環評審查初步過關，大家都鬆了一口氣，希望環評大會能夠順利通過此案。
中科二林園區目前最大的投資案，是友達計畫建構的光電產業聚落，總投資金額達4,000億元，將規劃興建四座十代以上大尺寸面板廠，並引進上中下游產業關聯廠商。隨面板產業景氣復甦，友達中科后里園區的第二座8.5代廠已經復工。
【2009/10/25 經濟日報】
Click here to sign the petion against the CTSP Erlin Science Park project.
Also see:
Leave Taiwan's future a clean Chuoshui River
Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park; Protect Farmers, Fishermen and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Update: Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park - Protect Farmers, Fishers and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Black Friday for Erlin - The EPA once again strikes a blow against the environment
The saga of the CTSP Erlin Science Park and the Kuokuang Petrochemical Project
All three effluent discharge proposals for Central Taiwan Science Park development will lead to pollution of humpback dolphin habitat
More protests at the EPA against the CTSP Erlin Science Park
Taiwan's Humpback Dolphins face extinction
Monday, October 19, 2009
Taiwan Pink Dolphin researcher wins the Leatherwood Award
The J. Stephen Leatherwood Award for the best presentation on marine mammals in the South and Southeast Asia region at the 18th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in Québec City, Canada has been awarded to Dr. John Y. Wang of FormosaCetus Research and Conservation Group. The award was given for a poster presentation by John Wang entitled "Mark-recapture abundance estimation of the Eastern Taiwan Strait population of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis)" and was co-authored by John Y. Wang; Shih Chu Yang; Pedro F. Fruet; and Eduardo R. Secchi. Our congratulations to John. This is a wonderful achievement and will greatly assist in highlighting the plight of the Taiwan Pink Dolphins internationally.
Also see:
Society for Marine Mammalogy 18th Biennial Conference Québec City, Canada.
SMM Conference, Québec City: Workshop - Critical habitat delineation for critically endangered Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in Taiwan
2009 ETS Sousa Habitat Workshop
Also see:
Society for Marine Mammalogy 18th Biennial Conference Québec City, Canada.
SMM Conference, Québec City: Workshop - Critical habitat delineation for critically endangered Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in Taiwan
2009 ETS Sousa Habitat Workshop
Thursday, October 15, 2009
ETSSTAWG Chair sends a letter to COA Minister concerning the recent death of a Humpback Dolphin
Dr Peter S. Ross, Chairman of the Eastern Taiwan Strait Sousa Technical Advisory Working Group (ETSSTAWG), has sent a letter to the Minister of the [Taiwan] Council of Agriculture (COA), Chen Wu-hsiung, concerning scientific investigations into the recent death of a Taiwan Humpback Dolphin. As studies on the critically endangered population of Eastern Taiwan Strait Sousa Dolphins [Taiwan Humpback Dolphins] have been limited there is still much to learn about these unique dolphins and open scientific investigation of this deceased individual is of great interest to all researchers, both locally and abroad. Open scientific investigation of the deceased individual offers the opportunity to learn much about these poorly known dolphins. We will be monitoring developments closely and sincerely hope the COA will approach investigations in an open manner and ensure that credible investigations are undertaken and that findings are shared internationally.
Below is a copy of the letter sent by ETSSTAWG Chair, Dr Peter S. Ross, to Minister Chen Wu-hsiung. Our thanks to ETSSTAWG for allowing us to post their letter on the Taiwan Humpback Dolphin blog.
*A similar letter has also been received from Dolphin Care UK.
Also see:
Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Beaches and Dies on the Coast of Tonghsiao
Update: Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Beaches and Dies on the Coast of Tonghsiao
Below is a copy of the letter sent by ETSSTAWG Chair, Dr Peter S. Ross, to Minister Chen Wu-hsiung. Our thanks to ETSSTAWG for allowing us to post their letter on the Taiwan Humpback Dolphin blog.
TO:
Minister Mr. Chen Wu-hsiung
Council of Agriculture
Taiwan
Sept 27 2009
Dear Minister Chen Wu-hsiung:
I recently learned of the death of one individual member of the IUCN-designated Critically Endangered population of Eastern Taiwan Strait Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in Taiwan. This individual was found on the shore adjacent to the important habitat of this very small population, which numbers fewer than 100 individuals.
While a single mortality in this population is most unfortunate, it is of the utmost importance that open scientific investigation be encouraged on this individual. In recent years, two major research groups in Taiwan (Formosacetus and Taiwan Cetacean Society), both with strong ambitions, and excellent capacity, have been conducting research on free-ranging members of ETS Sousa. As Chairman of the Eastern Taiwan Strait Technical Advisory Sousa Working Group (ETSSTAWG), I am mandated to encourage dialogue on the best possible science in support of a better understanding of Sousa and its habitat. Without excellent scientific research, and open communication among all parties, the chances of survival for the ETS Sousa population are greatly reduced.
There are many scientific investigations that can be carried out on a stranded (deceased) individual to determine the cause of death, as well as to provide insight into the remaining (living) members of this unique population. Some investigations that can be carried out include:
- Gross pathology;
- Genetics;
- Parasitology;
- Disease investigations;
- Reproductive status;
- Toxicology (contaminants);
- Basic biology;
- Condition.
The ETS Sousa population deserves the best possible scientific investigations. The ETSSTAWG is monitoring the present situation with regard to this specimen, and will continue to advise and act on behalf of the ETS Sousa on behalf of the international scientific community.
The ETSSTAWG looks forward to learning more about the cause of death of this individual, and will look very favourably indeed upon improved dialogue among the many excellent research and other organizations active in the area of ETS Sousa biology and conservation.
Sincerely,
Dr Peter S. Ross
Chairman
Eastern Taiwan Strait Sousa Technical Advisory Working Group
*A similar letter has also been received from Dolphin Care UK.
Also see:
Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Beaches and Dies on the Coast of Tonghsiao
Update: Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Beaches and Dies on the Coast of Tonghsiao
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Leave Taiwan's future a clean Chuoshui River
Three photos showing protesters outside the Environmental Protection Administration in Taipei yesterday. Yesterday scores of protesters gathered outside the Environmental Protection Administration's (EPA) offices in Taipei while inside the EPA and developers held a meeting on the planned CTSP Erlin Science Park in Chunghua County western Taiwan. In a sweeping move typical of Ma's authoritarian right wing KMT (Chinese National Party) regime, stakeholders and environmental NGOs were barred from attending and voicing their opinions and concerns at yesterday's meeting because they allegedly disrupted proceedings at a meeting on October 5th. Quite how the EPA arrived at its decision that every stakeholder, concerned local resident and environmental NGO was guilty of such misconduct that they needed to be excluded from the meeting and silenced remains unclear. Such disregard for the rights of free speech, protest and participation in the decision making process of a project that can adversely impact the livelihood of many local residents and cause tremendous damage to the environment can only be held by those who believe in absolute power and that they have no responsibility at all to the common people.
To many the EPA is viewed as nothing more than a rubber stamp administration of the ruling KMT and their powerful developer cronies. The way the EPA is behaving really seems to lend credit to this allegation. At the meeting the EIA subcommittee recommended "conditional approval" for the final review of the fourth phase expansion of the CTSP Erlin project. It is understandable that while local farmers, fishers, residents and other stakeholders were shut outside unable to participate in a process that will destroy their livelihoods, way of life and the environment, that many became very angry. One has to question if this was a deliberate attempt to provoke the locals into a violent response. Unless the KMT regime has other sinister plans to ensure they remain in office, they should seriously consider listing to the people of Taiwan. This is not an isolated incident.
The approval ratings of the Ma regime are rock bottom. The anger at the regime was very clear in the wake of Typhoon Morakot. The recent Yunlin County by-elections showed just what the people of Yunlin County think of the KMT when they overwhelmingly elected the opposition DPP. Yunlin County lies just across the Choushui (Jhoushuei) River. The waste water from the CTSP Erlin Science Park will flow into the Choushui River causing serious pollution problems. The waste water issue was a hot topic in the run up to the by-elections and it would seem the people of Yunlin clearly voiced their opposition to the project by voting the KMT out of office. Shouldn't the KMT be listening?
See today's Taiwan News editorial for more comment on the issue:
Leave Taiwan's future a clean Chuoshui River
Click here to sign the petion against the CTSP Erlin Science Park project.
Also see:
Update: Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park - Protect Farmers, Fishers and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Extinction Guaranteed by Ma and Wu’s Cat in the Hat Economics?
Black Friday for Erlin - The EPA once again strikes a blow against the environment
The saga of the CTSP Erlin Science Park and the Kuokuang Petrochemical Project
All three effluent discharge proposals for Central Taiwan Science Park development will lead to pollution of humpback dolphin habitat
More protests at the EPA against the CTSP Erlin Science Park
Taiwan's Humpback Dolphins face extinction
EPA responds to local fisherman's Erlin criticisms
Monday, October 12, 2009
Update: Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park - Protect Farmers, Fishers and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
A local resident quietly holding up a protest sign at an earlier meeting. Note the very large police presence. Their lack of riot gear point to them being an intimidating presence rather than being there to seriously confront a "dangerous" mob of local farmers and fishers.Our colleagues at the Taiwan Environmental Action Network (TEAN) have advised us that the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has issued a statement barring local stakeholders and environmental NGOs from presenting at the upcoming EPA meeting on October 13th because of their alleged misconduct at the hearing on October 5th.
The developers must be extremely happy with and grateful to the EPA! Given the blatant pro-development stance of the EPA and its abysmal track record in actually protecting the environment, one has to seriously question the actions of the EPA in this and ask if this is really just an attempt to silence the local people who are against the CTSP Erlin project which threatens to destroy their livelihoods. The EPA's handling of the Hushan Dam and Songshan Factory issues left one wondering who exactly the EPA was working for. The EPA also shamelessly adopted a "seen no evil" attitude during the assault on former EPA EIA Commissioner and Taipei-based lawyer, Robin Winkler. As the facts emerged despite the attitude of the EPA, it became clear that Winkler had indeed been assaulted inside the EPA and the assailant was convicted. At no point did the EPA bar the noisy pro-development faction, that had even caused a fight in the chamber, from presenting. Barring the opposition to the CTSP Erlin project from presenting is a very serious action. The barring of those who wish to speak out against the project is a blatant violation of the right to free speech and the right to protest against and speak out against things that will adversely impact on the lives of common people and the environment.
From TEAN:
"The Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has issued an official statement blasting NGOs and local stakeholders (local farmers, fishers and residents) for disrupting the proceedings on October 5th at the Fifth EIA briefing on the development of CTSP Erlin Science Park. In its statement, the EPA accused the NGO representatives and local residents/stakeholders participating in the proceeding for being “irrational”, “unreasonable”, “unprofessional”, “threatening”, “disrupting the proceeding with video-taping and recording” and “interfering with the proceeding's order.” The EPA announced that no local stakeholders or environmental NGOs shall be allowed to be present in the meeting room in the name of “maintaining the independent review proceeding for EIA Commissioners as well as the order” at the continuation meeting scheduled for October 13th. Ironically, the developing agency and the related officials will be allowed to present their statements.
According to those who were present at the October 5th meeting and witnessed the whole proceeding, the local stakeholders and NGO representatives simply voiced their concerns on the potential health and environmental risks, which have been witnessed in the communities surrounding the existing science parks in Taiwan. They have legitimate reason to worry that these risks will become real threats to them and cause irreversible negative impacts on them and for future generations."
You can support the local residents, farmers and fishers as well as the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins by sighning a petition: Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park; Protect Farmers, Fishermen and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Also see:
Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park; Protect Farmers, Fishermen and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Leave Taiwan's future a clean Chuoshui River
Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Extinction Guaranteed by Ma and Wu’s Cat in the Hat Economics?
SAVE THE CHANGHUA COAST: We need 1000 people to help make a statement that we care about the environment
Petition letter: Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park - Protect Farmers, Fishers and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Black Friday for Erlin - The EPA once again strikes a blow against the environment
The saga of the CTSP Erlin Science Park and the Kuokuang Petrochemical Project
All three effluent discharge proposals for Central Taiwan Science Park development will lead to pollution of humpback dolphin habitat
More protests at the EPA against the CTSP Erlin Science Park
Taiwan's Humpback Dolphins face extinction
EPA responds to local fisherman's Erlin criticisms
Sunday, October 11, 2009
SAVE THE CHANGHUA COAST: We need 1000 people to help make a statement that we care about the environment
The Changhua County Environmental Protection Alliance need 1000 people to help make a statement that we care about the environment. On Sunday, October 25, 2009 people will be coming together to show that they want to Save the Changhua Coast. Please join us and show that we care about the Changhua Coast.
SAVE THE CHANGHUA COAST
Time: Oct. 25 (Sun) 9:30am-8pm
Place: Fangyuan Township, County Route 17, turn west at km marker 55 (芳苑鄉 省道17 號55 公里處轉向西)
Transportation: Free bus service to and from Changhua Train Station is available. A bus will leave the station at 8:30am sharp. The return bus leaves from the coast at 5pm.
ACTIVITY: We are inviting you to help SAVE THE CHANGHUA COAST. In an effort to raise awareness that we as a society must preserve this area, environmental groups are joining forces for a day of activities on Sunday, October 25. The main event is a group action and photo shoot, for which we need 1000 people from 10:30-11:30am. Some will hold white umbrellas and form the shape of a dolphin, while others will hold red umbrellas to spell out “S.O.S.” In addition, there will be a full day of musical performances, storytelling, ecological tours of the area, oxcart rides, films and other entertainments. Both lunch and dinner will be provided, including vegetarian meals.
BACKGROUND: The Changhua Coast has Taiwan’s largest area of mud flats, which present a valuable ecosystem home to plants and animals both on land and in the ocean. The waters off Changhua County are notably a valuable habitat for a critically endangered population of humpback dolphins, who tend to live in shallow waters within 8km of the shoreline. The dolphins and the rest of this coastal ecosystem are threatened by pollution from the China Petroleum Corp.’s (CPC) naphtha cracker plant and a development plan for a large industrial zone called the Central Taiwan Science Park.
Changhua County Tourism Bureau refused to support this event because it involved criticism of China Petroleum Corporation and the development plans for a sprawling industrial zone to be called the Central Taiwan Science Park. In this regard, we can only ask, is this a government concerned for the majority of Taiwan’s citizens, or only for a minority which controls large business interests?
Register to participate:
Online: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGlYdjFuTHR4VzNUU1dueU9fUUVLQUE6MA
Email: tepu.cd@msa.hinet.net or 7626609@gmail.com
Phone: Ms. Shi 0911-761-839 or Mr. Liao 0919-524-911
General Contact Information:
Changhua County Environmental Protection Alliance
Tel: 04-7626609
Address: 4F #5 Minzu Rd., Lane 15, Changhua City 500
Email: tepu.cd@msa.hinet.net or 7626609@gmail.com
Web Site: http://tepucd.moc.tw/
Update:
Photo showing the 1300 people at the event. Photo from the Chinese language Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Blog.
Also see:
Leave Taiwan's future a clean Chuoshui River
Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park; Protect Farmers, Fishermen and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Update: Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park - Protect Farmers, Fishers and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Extinction Guaranteed by Ma and Wu’s Cat in the Hat Economics?
Black Friday for Erlin - The EPA once again strikes a blow against the environment
The saga of the CTSP Erlin Science Park and the Kuokuang Petrochemical Project
Taiwan's Humpback Dolphins face extinction
SAVE THE CHANGHUA COAST
Time: Oct. 25 (Sun) 9:30am-8pm
Place: Fangyuan Township, County Route 17, turn west at km marker 55 (芳苑鄉 省道17 號55 公里處轉向西)
Transportation: Free bus service to and from Changhua Train Station is available. A bus will leave the station at 8:30am sharp. The return bus leaves from the coast at 5pm.
ACTIVITY: We are inviting you to help SAVE THE CHANGHUA COAST. In an effort to raise awareness that we as a society must preserve this area, environmental groups are joining forces for a day of activities on Sunday, October 25. The main event is a group action and photo shoot, for which we need 1000 people from 10:30-11:30am. Some will hold white umbrellas and form the shape of a dolphin, while others will hold red umbrellas to spell out “S.O.S.” In addition, there will be a full day of musical performances, storytelling, ecological tours of the area, oxcart rides, films and other entertainments. Both lunch and dinner will be provided, including vegetarian meals.
BACKGROUND: The Changhua Coast has Taiwan’s largest area of mud flats, which present a valuable ecosystem home to plants and animals both on land and in the ocean. The waters off Changhua County are notably a valuable habitat for a critically endangered population of humpback dolphins, who tend to live in shallow waters within 8km of the shoreline. The dolphins and the rest of this coastal ecosystem are threatened by pollution from the China Petroleum Corp.’s (CPC) naphtha cracker plant and a development plan for a large industrial zone called the Central Taiwan Science Park.
Changhua County Tourism Bureau refused to support this event because it involved criticism of China Petroleum Corporation and the development plans for a sprawling industrial zone to be called the Central Taiwan Science Park. In this regard, we can only ask, is this a government concerned for the majority of Taiwan’s citizens, or only for a minority which controls large business interests?
Register to participate:
Online: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGlYdjFuTHR4VzNUU1dueU9fUUVLQUE6MA
Email: tepu.cd@msa.hinet.net or 7626609@gmail.com
Phone: Ms. Shi 0911-761-839 or Mr. Liao 0919-524-911
General Contact Information:
Changhua County Environmental Protection Alliance
Tel: 04-7626609
Address: 4F #5 Minzu Rd., Lane 15, Changhua City 500
Email: tepu.cd@msa.hinet.net or 7626609@gmail.com
Web Site: http://tepucd.moc.tw/
Update:
Photo showing the 1300 people at the event. Photo from the Chinese language Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Blog.
Also see:
Leave Taiwan's future a clean Chuoshui River
Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park; Protect Farmers, Fishermen and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Update: Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park - Protect Farmers, Fishers and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Extinction Guaranteed by Ma and Wu’s Cat in the Hat Economics?
Black Friday for Erlin - The EPA once again strikes a blow against the environment
The saga of the CTSP Erlin Science Park and the Kuokuang Petrochemical Project
Taiwan's Humpback Dolphins face extinction
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Taiwan Pink Dolphins make it into Time !
A Taiwan Pink Dolphin mother-and-calf pair: the original transect lines ran directly through critically endangered humpback dolphin habitat.The Taiwan Pink Dolphins have made it into Time.com, the online version of Time Magazine. An article titled Is Ocean Seismic Testing Endangering the Dolphins? looks at the issue of ocean seismic testing and its impact on marine life. It is encouraging to see that the critically endangered Taiwan Pink Dolphins are making international news. However, some environmentalists here in Taiwan are disappointed at how the article seems to pitch the plight of the dolphins against the needs of humanity with regards to understanding earthquakes and sets it against the backdrop of the tragic September 1999 earthquake known as the 921 Quake in Taiwan and called the Chichi earthquake in the article. Chichi, more often spelt as Jiji in Taiwan, was the village closest to the epicenter of the 921 Quake. Jiji is situated in the landlocked county of Nantou in central Taiwan.
The tragedy of the 921 Quake is very real to environmentalists in Taiwan; the majority of whom experienced it first hand. Just like the recent tragedies associated with Typhoon Morakot, the likely cause of some fatal landslides largely points to poor environmental management policies. Environmentalists are not against seismic surveys. We want them done responsibly and environmental factors need to be considered and addressed. It should be remembered that those conducting this seismic survey planned to run their original transect lines ran directly through the habitat of an IUCN Red-listed critically endangered localised population of cetaceans. It was only when environmentalists started making a noise that the Taiwan Pink Dolphins were reconsidered. Knowingly going out and harassing critically endangered dolphins does raise questions about the ethics of surveyors with regards to their consideration of marine mammals*. Perhaps this article hasn't been entirely fair to environmentalists and has given those conducting the survey way too much credit for considering the plight of Taiwan's marine mammals.
*The LDEO listed the estimated number of cetaceans to be harassed during the survey as 71668, which included 68 Humpback Dolphins.
Also see:
Update and continuing concerns regarding Incidental Harassment Authorisation for L-DEO marine seismic survey in SE Asia
Correction made to the article concerning surveyors consideration of harassing Sousa dolphins (2009-10-11).
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Petition letter: Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park - Protect Farmers, Fishers and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
An appeal to send a letter of petition to the Taiwan authorities against the expansion of the CTSP Erlin Science Park in Changhua County, central-west Taiwan. This pollution generated from this development threaten local farmers and fishers and also the coastal environment which is home to the critically endangered Taiwan Humpback Dolphins. Our colleagues at the Taiwan Environmental Action Network (TEAN) have drafted a petition letter. Please copy and sign it and e-mail it to:
info.tean @ gmail.com
Cc: keephushanwild@gmail.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 6, 2009
TO:
Taiwan Legislature,
Environmental Protection Administration (EPA),
National Science Council,
Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP).
Re: Stop the 4th stage of expansion of Central Taiwan Science Park in Erlin
The Honorable members of the Taiwan Legislature,
Environmental Protection Administration (EPA),
National Science Council,
Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP),
The CTSP has set up three sites in the central Taiwan since September, 2002 and is now proposing the 4th stage of its expansion in Erlin, Changhua County, Taiwan. Up to date, the CTSP has acquired 1,890 acres of land in the other three sites and is proposing to acquire 1,569 acres (635 hectares) for the Erlin site, which includes 741 acres (300 hectares) to satisfy the need of AU Optronics, a mass production TFT-LCD manufacturer. The health and social impacts associated with the expansion far outweigh any possible benefit and will destroy the livelihood of the local farmers, oyster fishers and dairy farmers.
The Erlin Science Park project will:
- Demand 160,000 tons of clean water per day from Changhua area, where the underground aquifers in the vicinity are currently the main water supply for drinking and irrigation.
- Inevitably destroy the oyster farms along the coast because of the 160,000 tons of wastewater discharged from the science park everyday.
- Significantly and unavoidably increase local air and water pollution;
- Create real potential for contamination from 1,093 tons of volatile organic compounds per year and numerous kinds of hazardous chemicals;
- Inevitably pollute the habitat of fewer than 100 remaining Taiwan Humpback Dolphins or Taiwan White Dolphins ( Sousa chinensis ) Along the coastal waters of Changhua County and hasten the extinction of this unique population, which was designated critically endangered by the IUCN in August 2008.
- Seriously violate the rights of the local farmers by confiscating and / or contaminating their land;
- Seriously violate the right to safe drinking water for the local residents.
Over the years, the high-tech industry in Taiwan has thrived under the protective wings of the government. At the same time, IT corporations have failed to internalize the environmental costs of their production; they have again and again evaded the pollution costs they have imposed onto the local environment and communities. Furthermore, the high-tech industry has cloaked its deception through "compliance" with local environmental regulations, which are already outdated. There is currently no written law that adequately regulates high-tech pollution in Taiwan. As a result, the health risks on the local people and environment have been witnessed over and over again.
Before the CTSP precedes its ongoing expansion, we call on the Taiwan Legislature, National Science Council and EPA to address the following issues:
- To stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park project as it is proposed;
- To revise the Information Disclosure Act to address the issue of governmental and corporate transparency regarding pollution and toxins released into our environment;
- To modify the Regulation on the Management of Hazardous Substances with the spirit of REACH, particularly the emphasis on corporations' responsibility;
- To amend the standards on wastewater, air pollutants, and waste according to the characteristics of the high-tech industry.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Organization, if applicable)
(Country)
________________________________________________________
Also see:
Leave Taiwan's future a clean Chuoshui River
Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park; Protect Farmers, Fishermen and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Update: Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park - Protect Farmers, Fishers and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Extinction Guaranteed by Ma and Wu’s Cat in the Hat Economics?
Black Friday for Erlin - The EPA once again strikes a blow against the environment
The saga of the CTSP Erlin Science Park and the Kuokuang Petrochemical Project
Taiwan's Humpback Dolphins face extinction
info.tean @ gmail.com
Cc: keephushanwild@gmail.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 6, 2009
TO:
Taiwan Legislature,
Environmental Protection Administration (EPA),
National Science Council,
Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP).
Re: Stop the 4th stage of expansion of Central Taiwan Science Park in Erlin
The Honorable members of the Taiwan Legislature,
Environmental Protection Administration (EPA),
National Science Council,
Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP),
The CTSP has set up three sites in the central Taiwan since September, 2002 and is now proposing the 4th stage of its expansion in Erlin, Changhua County, Taiwan. Up to date, the CTSP has acquired 1,890 acres of land in the other three sites and is proposing to acquire 1,569 acres (635 hectares) for the Erlin site, which includes 741 acres (300 hectares) to satisfy the need of AU Optronics, a mass production TFT-LCD manufacturer. The health and social impacts associated with the expansion far outweigh any possible benefit and will destroy the livelihood of the local farmers, oyster fishers and dairy farmers.
The Erlin Science Park project will:
- Demand 160,000 tons of clean water per day from Changhua area, where the underground aquifers in the vicinity are currently the main water supply for drinking and irrigation.
- Inevitably destroy the oyster farms along the coast because of the 160,000 tons of wastewater discharged from the science park everyday.
- Significantly and unavoidably increase local air and water pollution;
- Create real potential for contamination from 1,093 tons of volatile organic compounds per year and numerous kinds of hazardous chemicals;
- Inevitably pollute the habitat of fewer than 100 remaining Taiwan Humpback Dolphins or Taiwan White Dolphins ( Sousa chinensis ) Along the coastal waters of Changhua County and hasten the extinction of this unique population, which was designated critically endangered by the IUCN in August 2008.
- Seriously violate the rights of the local farmers by confiscating and / or contaminating their land;
- Seriously violate the right to safe drinking water for the local residents.
Over the years, the high-tech industry in Taiwan has thrived under the protective wings of the government. At the same time, IT corporations have failed to internalize the environmental costs of their production; they have again and again evaded the pollution costs they have imposed onto the local environment and communities. Furthermore, the high-tech industry has cloaked its deception through "compliance" with local environmental regulations, which are already outdated. There is currently no written law that adequately regulates high-tech pollution in Taiwan. As a result, the health risks on the local people and environment have been witnessed over and over again.
Before the CTSP precedes its ongoing expansion, we call on the Taiwan Legislature, National Science Council and EPA to address the following issues:
- To stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park project as it is proposed;
- To revise the Information Disclosure Act to address the issue of governmental and corporate transparency regarding pollution and toxins released into our environment;
- To modify the Regulation on the Management of Hazardous Substances with the spirit of REACH, particularly the emphasis on corporations' responsibility;
- To amend the standards on wastewater, air pollutants, and waste according to the characteristics of the high-tech industry.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Organization, if applicable)
(Country)
________________________________________________________
Also see:
Leave Taiwan's future a clean Chuoshui River
Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park; Protect Farmers, Fishermen and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Update: Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park - Protect Farmers, Fishers and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Extinction Guaranteed by Ma and Wu’s Cat in the Hat Economics?
Black Friday for Erlin - The EPA once again strikes a blow against the environment
The saga of the CTSP Erlin Science Park and the Kuokuang Petrochemical Project
Taiwan's Humpback Dolphins face extinction
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
SMM Conference, Québec City: Workshop - Critical habitat delineation for critically endangered Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in Taiwan
Amongst the pre-conference workshops for the Society for Marine Mammalogy's 18th Biennial Conference in Québec City, Canada from October 12-16, 2009, the Eastern Taiwan Strait Sousa Technical Advisory Group (ETSSTAWG) will be hosting a full day workshop on October 10 titled Critical habitat delineation for critically endangered Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in Taiwan and representitives of Matsu's Fish Conservation Union (MFCU) will attend.
The main objectives of the workshop are to critically evaluate what is known about small cetacean habitat and to better characterize the principal elements of Critical Habitat for the Eastern Taiwan Strait population of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis). The workshop will also evaluate measures of habitat quality so as to establish guiding principles on issues related to biological and chemical pollution, noise and disturbance, fisheries practices, salinity, prey availability and physical alterations to the shoreline.
We at the Matsu's Fish Conservation Union (MFCU) have been lobbying the government and working towards getting remaining Taiwan Humpback Dolphin habitat designated as a protected 'Major Wildlife Habitat.' The MFCU proposal we submitted just over a year ago has been adopted in practice in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and at the two Sousa (Humpback Dolphin) expert meetings in June and July 2009. These meetings were the result of decisions made during the Changgong Power Plant EIA process. While we welcome these positive developments we are still extremely concerned that the government still hasn't designated the 'Major Wildlife Habitat.' We believe that the document that will come out of the workshop will provide an even stronger basis for the government to designate a 'Major Wildlife Habitat' for the IUCN Red-listed critically endangered (CR) Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
It should be noted that designating a 'Major Wildlife Habitat' doesn't mean that projects can't go ahead or that all human activity must stop, it means that the range is acknowledged and that stakeholders are, therefore, better able to talk about threats and mitigation strategies within that area, and that more EIA work is required (by law) relating to that area.
Also see:
Society for Marine Mammalogy 18th Biennial Conference Québec City, Canada.
Taiwan Humpback Dolphin researcher wins the Leatherwood Award
2009 ETS Sousa Habitat Workshop
Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin habitat in Taiwan: Report of an international expert panel convened in Taipei, Nov 2-5 2009
Taiwan's Humpback Dolphins face extinction
The main objectives of the workshop are to critically evaluate what is known about small cetacean habitat and to better characterize the principal elements of Critical Habitat for the Eastern Taiwan Strait population of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis). The workshop will also evaluate measures of habitat quality so as to establish guiding principles on issues related to biological and chemical pollution, noise and disturbance, fisheries practices, salinity, prey availability and physical alterations to the shoreline.
We at the Matsu's Fish Conservation Union (MFCU) have been lobbying the government and working towards getting remaining Taiwan Humpback Dolphin habitat designated as a protected 'Major Wildlife Habitat.' The MFCU proposal we submitted just over a year ago has been adopted in practice in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and at the two Sousa (Humpback Dolphin) expert meetings in June and July 2009. These meetings were the result of decisions made during the Changgong Power Plant EIA process. While we welcome these positive developments we are still extremely concerned that the government still hasn't designated the 'Major Wildlife Habitat.' We believe that the document that will come out of the workshop will provide an even stronger basis for the government to designate a 'Major Wildlife Habitat' for the IUCN Red-listed critically endangered (CR) Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
It should be noted that designating a 'Major Wildlife Habitat' doesn't mean that projects can't go ahead or that all human activity must stop, it means that the range is acknowledged and that stakeholders are, therefore, better able to talk about threats and mitigation strategies within that area, and that more EIA work is required (by law) relating to that area.
Also see:
Society for Marine Mammalogy 18th Biennial Conference Québec City, Canada.
Taiwan Humpback Dolphin researcher wins the Leatherwood Award
2009 ETS Sousa Habitat Workshop
Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin habitat in Taiwan: Report of an international expert panel convened in Taipei, Nov 2-5 2009
Taiwan's Humpback Dolphins face extinction
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Society for Marine Mammalogy 18th Biennial Conference Québec City, Canada.
The Society for Marine Mammalogy's 18th Biennial Conference will take place in Québec City, Canada from October 12-16, 2009 and the Matsu's Fish Conservation Union (MFCU) will be there. Representatives from Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association and other MFCU partners will be representing the MFCU at the conference. Wild will also have an information booth at the conference to create awareness of the plight of the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins. Wild also attended the SMM's 17th Biennial Conference held in 2007 in Cape Town, South Africa. We wish the MFCU team all the best for the conference.
Also see:
SMM Conference, Québec City: Workshop - Critical habitat delineation for critically endangered Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in Taiwan
Taiwan Humpback Dolphin researcher wins the Leatherwood Award
2009 ETS Sousa Habitat Workshop
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park; Protect Farmers, Fishermen and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Erlin residents protesting against the CTSP Erlin Science Park.An appeal to sign a petition against the expansion of the CTSP Erlin Science Park in Changhua County. This pollution generated from this development threaten local farmers and fishers and also the coastal environment which is home to the critically endangered Taiwan Humpback Dolphins. Our colleagues at the Taiwan Environmental Action Network (TEAN) have drafted a petition letter. Please sign it and help us to stop this development.
Dear friends,
On October 5, 2009, the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) will hold the final review of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) on the expansion of the Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP) project in Erlin. The local farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers will travel 3 hours north to Taipei to express their objection against the expansion so they can protect their farms and lands.
In addition, discharge from the Science Park will worsen the conditions for the critically endangered (CR on IUCN red list) population of Taiwan Humpback dolphins which reside year round in these inshore waters.
We need your support URGENTLY to help the farmers and environmental groups in Taiwan. Please click on the link and sign the petition letter.
Please forward the petition to your family members, friends and colleagues. The more international support we can generate, the more the pressure will be on the Taiwan government. Thank you!
In solidarity,
Echo J. Lin
General-Secretary
Taiwan Environmental Action Network
Stop Taiwan CTSP Erlin Science Park, Protect Farmers, Fishermen and the Environment from High-tech Hazards
The Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP) has set up three sites in the central Taiwan since September, 2002 and is now proposing the 4th stage of its expansion in Erlin, Changhua County, Taiwan. The CTSP has acquired 1,890 acres of land in the other three sites and is proposing to acquire 1,569 acres (635 hectares) for the Erlin site, which includes 741 acres (300 hectares) to satisfy the need of AU Optronics, a mass production TFT-LCD manufacturer. The health and social impacts associated with the expansion far outweigh any possible benefit and will destroy the livelihood of the local farmers, oyster fishermen and dairy farms.
The Erlin Science Park project will:
-- Demand 160,000 tons of clean water per day from Changhua area, where the underground aquifers in the vicinity are currently the main water supply for drinking and irrigation.
-- Inevitably destroy the oyster farms along the coast because of the 160,000 tons of wastewater discharged from the science park everyday.
-- Significantly and unavoidably increase local air and water pollution;
-- The coastal waters of Changhua County, where the Science Park is to be located, is home to the unique population of fewer than 100 Taiwan Humpback Dolphins (aka Taiwan White/Pink Dolphins). The population's decline is attributed to, inter alia, air and water pollution. This population was designated CR, or critically endangered, by the IUCN in August 2008, yet the developers and supporting government agencies have have been slow to ackhowledge the animals' existence, much less that these science park projects will likely hasten the populations' extinction.
-- Create real potential for contamination from 1,093 tons of volatile organic compounds per year and numerous kinds of hazardous chemicals
-- Seriously violate the rights of the local farmers by confiscating and/or contaminating their land;
-- Seriously violate the right to safe drinking water for the local residents;
Over the years, the high-tech industry in Taiwan has thrived under the protective wings of the government. At the same time, IT corporations have failed to internalize the environmental costs of their production; they have again and again evaded the pollution costs they have imposed onto the local environment and communities. Furthermore, the high-tech industry has cloaked its deception through “compliance” with local environmental regulations, which are already outdated. Existing regulations on the books has been outpaced by rapid technological changes. There is currently no written law that adequately regulates high-tech pollution in Taiwan. As a result, IT corporations have easily slipped under the radar in their questionable environmental practices.
Before the CTSP precedes its ongoing expansion, we call on Taiwan Legislature, National Science Council and EPA to address the following issues:
--to stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park project as it is proposed;
--to revise the Information Disclosure Act to address the issue of governmental and corporate transparency regarding pollution and toxics released into our environment;
--to modify the Regulation on the Management of Hazardous Substances with the spirit of REACH, particularly the emphasis on corporations’ responsibility;
--to amend the standards on wastewater, air pollutants, and waste according to the characteristics of the high-tech industry.
Also see:
Update: Stop the CTSP Erlin Science Park - Protect Farmers, Fishers and the Taiwan Humpback Dolphins.
Leave Taiwan's future a clean Chuoshui River
Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Extinction Guaranteed by Ma and Wu’s Cat in the Hat Economics?
Black Friday for Erlin - The EPA once again strikes a blow against the environment
The saga of the CTSP Erlin Science Park and the Kuokuang Petrochemical Project
All three effluent discharge proposals for Central Taiwan Science Park development will lead to pollution of humpback dolphin habitat
More protests at the EPA against the CTSP Erlin Science Park
Taiwan's Humpback Dolphins face extinction
EPA responds to local fisherman's Erlin criticisms
Update: Taiwan Pink Dolphin Beaches and Dies on the Coast of Tonghsiao
A recent news report that aired locally in Taiwan claims the beaching and death of a Taiwan Pink Dolphin last week was caused by fishing trawlers.
Click to watch the news clip. The report is in Mandarin but the gist of the report is that the death was caused by fishers -- newly licensed trawlers, but who are operating illegally within the 3 nautical mile zone. The clip shows footage of the beached dolphin.
Also see: Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Beaches and Dies on the Coast of Tonghsiao
ETSSTAWG Chair sends a letter to COA Minister concerning the recent death of a Humpback Dolphin
Also see (2011):
Another Taiwan Pink Dolphin Death
Two Pink Dolphins found Dead in Hong Kong
Click to watch the news clip. The report is in Mandarin but the gist of the report is that the death was caused by fishers -- newly licensed trawlers, but who are operating illegally within the 3 nautical mile zone. The clip shows footage of the beached dolphin.
Also see: Taiwan Humpback Dolphin Beaches and Dies on the Coast of Tonghsiao
ETSSTAWG Chair sends a letter to COA Minister concerning the recent death of a Humpback Dolphin
Also see (2011):
Another Taiwan Pink Dolphin Death
Two Pink Dolphins found Dead in Hong Kong
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