A Bridge Connecting the Community and the Ocean
On the east coast in the early morning, just as the sun rises, a group of people is already busy on the beach. They are Taitung residents from all walks of life—fishermen, students, community volunteers, and even travelers from afar. This is not a random gathering, but a well-organized and planned marine protection action.
In Taitung, beach cleanups are not just environmental events—they are a profound dialogue between people and the ocean. Every year on National Ocean Day (June 8), the Taitung County Government organizes large-scale beach cleanups, calling on residents and volunteers to help clean the coastline. In 2023, the government partnered with the East Coast National Scenic Area Administration of the Tourism Bureau, MOTC and local township offices to host relay-style cleanups in Nantian Village, Daren Township and Shanyuan Bay, Beinan Township, attracting 450 participants and clearing 776.18 kilograms of beach waste.
(Photo credit: @cooldiving_official)
A Marine Protection Alliance of Expertise and Technology
The Taitung County Government is committed to building the Ocean Cleanup Alliance, combining local diving businesses and schools to jointly promote the Beach Adoption Program.
As of this year, a total of 6 businesses and schools in Green Island and Lanyu townships have joined the adoption initiative, taking care of 3,486.84 meters of coastline.
These adopters include Luti Leisure Enterprise Co., Ltd., Zhaori Hot Spring, and Profond Co., Ltd. in Green Island, as well as Blue Ocean House Dive Resort, Starry Night Homestay, and Yeyou Elementary School in Lanyu. They not only regularly inspect and clean their adopted beach areas, but also invite visitors to participate in cleanups. A total of 106 people joined these efforts, collecting 636.6 kilograms of marine debris.
Eco-Spirituality? Cultural Immersion in Sustainable Living
Taitung’s beach cleanups have a unique character. In addition to the physical effort, they also incorporate elements of cultural heritage. At a cleanup event in Nantian Village, Daren Township, the day began at 5 a.m. with local elders conducting a blessing ceremony for the ancestral spirits and the ocean, expressing human respect and gratitude toward nature. Only after welcoming the sunrise did the cleanup begin.
This approach, integrating local culture into environmental protection, adds a layer of depth to what would otherwise be a simple cleanup. After the event, local mothers prepared a hearty breakfast to reward the volunteers. The Taya Group’s Green Inside Foundation, which participated in the event, shared: “This activity is not just a beach cleanup—it’s a fusion of local and innovative elements that make it diverse and distinctive.”
Dialogue Between Past and Present: From Archaeological Digs to Ocean Protection
Environmental education in Taitung goes beyond the transmission of knowledge—it creatively links the past and the future. The Taitung Environmental Education Center partnered with the National Museum of Prehistory to offer a unique curriculum on marine waste, allowing participants to explore prehistoric relics and understand the deep relationship between early peoples and the ocean. It poses a powerful question: “What will archaeologists find 100 years from now? Plastic bags? Bottles? Or even more indestructible waste?”
This time-spanning perspective fosters environmental awareness and a sense of responsibility. Meanwhile, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency hosted a “Walking Together for Clean Oceans, Guarding the Deep Blue” activity in Shangwu Village, where 70 volunteers removed 300 kilograms of marine debris. Through the “Staying Safe with Coastal Protection Forests” interactive course, they also learned about the ecological importance of coastal forests for wind protection and sand stabilization—combining education and action to sow seeds of hope for sustainable oceans.
