Ocean Affairs Council 海洋委員會

Illegal Research Activities Driven Off Chinese Marine Research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 22 was found in waters east of Taiwan between June 10 and 19. While lingering in the northeast of Taiwan, the vessel was warned off by Taiwan Coast Guard: "THIS IS NOT YOUR WATER. YOU DON'T BELONG HERE." Activities of Chinese researxh vessels will be CLOSELY WATCHED. Taiwan is governing the water effectively and responsibly.

Unnamed Chinese vessel detained in Penghu Taiwan coast guard detained an unnamed, unregistered vessel that entered into restricted water west off Huayu, Penghu after hours of hot pursuit. The vessel and its crew was safely towed back to Penghu for investigation in early hours of June 19. Illegal fishing in Taiwan's water will be met with resolute but humane law enforcement, and it is an effective way to crack down activities of dark fishing vessels.

🎉🎉🎉The Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) successfully hosted the 2026 National Oceans Day celebration festival on June 7, 2026, at Pier 16-17 of Kaohsiung Port, attracting more than 56,000 visitors, setting a new record for public participation in Ocean Affairs.🥳 This grand celebration, combining ocean education with family-friendly entertainment, opened with a spectacular performance by the Amis Gagen Band. Highlights included guided tours aboard the 4,000-ton Yunlin Patrol Vessel, the “Ocean Adventure” theatrical performance by the Paper Windmill Theatre, the highly anticipated Ocean Parade, and a large-scale Ocean Market featuring over one hundred exhibitors. Together, these activities created the most diverse, engaging, and widely acclaimed ocean-themed event.🏖️ Through a variety of innovative and entertaining activities, this year’s National Oceans Day successfully brought the public closer to the ocean. This activity not only revealed the remarkable achievements of Taiwan’s indigenous shipbuilding program but also helped instill the values of ocean sustainability in younger generations, leaving unforgettable summer memories for all who attended.🎊 The Ocean Affairs Council once again emphasized that the ocean should be a place of peace, not a place of conflict and threats. When Coast Guard personnel stand on the frontline safeguarding Taiwan’s maritime domain, they are protecting not only the waters themselves, but also the safety of the people and the dignity of the nation. This year’s vessel-visit program successfully strengthened public understanding of and support for the Coast Guard. With more than ten thousand visitors boarding and exploring the vessels, the event served as a strong endorsement of Taiwan’s indigenous shipbuilding achievements and the modernization of Coast Guard equipment. More importantly, it helped foster greater public awareness of maritime security and provided invaluable encouragement for Coast Guard personnel. Looking ahead, the Ocean Affairs Council will remain committed to its mission of safeguarding Taiwan’s maritime domain, deepening public ocean awareness, and working hand in hand with all citizens to build a safe, resilient, and sustainable ocean nation.💙💙💙

Taiwan's participation to 2026 Our Ocean Conference (OOC) encountered barbaric obstruction. Visas issued to scientists and experts were revoked at the last minute, and those managed to reach the conference were not allowed in, even their passports and phones were confiscated, their personal freedom infringed for an extended time of more than 20 hours. The OAC strongly condemns the severe political interference, and calls for the OAC to honor its founding visions of professionalism and inclusive participation. As OAC Minister Kuan Bi-ling says, "the world's ocean needs deeper and wider cooperation. Political interference yields no benefit for ocean governance."

Protecting Our Blue Ocean, Advancing Our Expertise 🌊 This May, Director-General Lu Hsiao-yun of the Ocean Conservation Administration led 24 trainees from central and local government agencies to participate in a 12-day professional training program on marine oil spill and hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) response at the Maritime Disaster Prevention Center (MDPC) in Japan. The program included a visit to the Kawasaki Base and hands-on training in marine oil spill response and HNS incident management, integrating both theory and practice. Participants conducted practical exercises in offshore boom deployment, skimmer recovery operations, and shoreline assessments, while also engaging in simulated HNS emergency scenarios involving detection and monitoring, leak control, decontamination, firefighting, and rescue operations. Through these practical exercises, Taiwan continues to enhance its marine pollution response capacity and strengthen the protection of the marine environment and public safety. 💙

🌊Smart Beaches Initiative Launched: Creating a Safer Ocean Experience🌊 The Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) is establishing Smart Beach demonstration sites in Dawulun (Keelung), Daan Coastal Recreation Area (Taichung), Cijin (Kaohsiung), and Shanyuan Bay (Taitung). By integrating AI-powered image recognition, ocean condition monitoring, and real-time risk warning systems, the initiative aims to strengthen coastal safety management and emergency response capabilities. In partnership with National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, the OAC has also introduced Australia’s Surf Life Saving system and launched a Train-the-Trainer Workshop for Beach Safety Patrol Officers and Lifeguards in Cijin. The program enhances frontline rescue expertise while promoting marine safety education. Through advanced technology, international collaboration, and cross-agency partnerships, the OAC will continue to foster a safer and more sustainable marine recreation environment, enabling the public to enjoy and connect with the ocean with greater confidence and peace of mind.

Chinese harassment around Itu Aba (Taiping): right after in Taiwan's east Chinese two vessels' first intrusion into Taiping Island's prohibited waters reflects a continuous escalation of provocations. Totally unprovokes, China is systematically harrassing Taiwan. It also proves that what China did in waters east of Taiwan should be dealt with as a challenge to international order; Japan-Philippines talks was just an excuse. #TaiwanCoastGuard #OACROC

Chinese Harrassment in Waters East of Taiwan: Update: June 9 SHIPPING HARRASSMENT REFUTED BY TCG At 11:00 AM, June 9, five Chinese government vessels—including the "Hai Xun 06," "Hai Xun 08," "Hai Xun 09," "Dong Hai Jiu 113," and "China Coast Guard 2202"—were located 40 nautical miles east of Pengjia Islet (12 nautical miles outside of Taiwan's restricted waters), continuing to head north and away from Taiwan waters. Taiwan Coast Guard's vessels are maintaining continuous monitoring of the situation. Meanwhile, the Chinese government vessels broadcasted radio inquiries to three passing merchant and cargo ships regarding their port entry and departure details. Taiwan Coast Guard's vessels immediately issued a stern response, stating: "This area the maritime zone of Taiwan. China has no sovereign rights and no jurisdiction here. Maintain your normal navigation; There is no need to respond to broadcasts from Chinese government vessel. If you need any assistance, please immediately contact Taiwan Coast Guard vessels, via radio or other means of communication."

【International Day for Women in Maritime: Honoring Women in TCG】 May 18 marks the International Day for Women in Maritime, established by the IMO to recognize contributions made by women in the maritime field, support their career development, and promote a safer, more inclusive, and respectful workplace for all. For many years, working at sea was often viewed as a “man’s job.” Yet on the frontlines of the Coast Guard, our female officers stand shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues, facing rough seas, long shifts, and demanding missions with the same courage and responsibility. On May 18, Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling visited the Tamsui Cutter to encourage officers preparing to set sail and personally expressed appreciation to the 111 women currently serving aboard Coast Guard vessels. Their dedication proves that professionalism at sea knows no gender, and protecting our waters is a shared mission. The Coast Guard will continue to stand firmly behind every frontline officer, ensuring they can serve with confidence, pride, and purpose.

Chinese Harrassment in Waters East of Taiwan: Update: June 7 On June 7 at 14:05, four Chinese vessels (Haixun 06, 08, 09, and Donghaijiu 113) encroached upon Taiwan's restricted waters southwest of Eluanbi under the guise of a "special enforcement operation." TCG immediately deployed five patrol frigates (Kaohsiung, Tamsui, Ji'an, Changbin, Hualien) and two patrol boats for parallel monitoring, issuing radio warnings that China has no jurisdiction east of Taiwan and violates international law. By 17:30, all four Chinese vessels were successfully driven out of the restricted waters.

China is Singly Responsible for Unilateral Elevation of Tension; Protest is just a Pretext China is raising regional tensions by operations of its coast guard, jointly with the "survey vessels", in the east of Taiwan. The following table shows the latest waves of provocation in fact started in early May, aggravating in to the "special maritime law enforcement operation", where we see CCG vessel over 10,000 tons dispatched to waters east of Taiwan between June 7 and 8. This has nothing to do with Japan/the Philippines proposed talks on maritime delimitation. China used that as a pretext to cover its irresponsible and aggressive actions. Taiwan Coast Guard will continue to take resolute actions in responding to the harrassment to safeguard Taiwan's sovereignty.

📷 World Oceans Day 📷 The ocean powers our climate, supports biodiversity, and sustains our future. Every day, it generates valuable data that help us better understand and protect our marine environment. At NAMR, we advance marine observation, AI-driven data analysis, and ocean information services to support research, monitoring, and sustainable ocean governance. Explore Taiwan’s ocean data through NODASS, and share your favorite ocean photo with us! 📷 Every dataset tells a story. Every observation helps protect the ocean. #WorldOceansDay #NAMR #NODASS #OceanData #MarineScience

Consecutive intrusions into Pratas waters by Chinese vessels escalate regional tensions For 3 days Chinese vessels intruded waters under the jurisdiction of ROC Taiwan around Pratas (Dongsha). On June 5 CCG Vessel 3501 entered into the territorial water, which was forced out by TCG Patrol Vessel 9, subsequently confronted by TCG Changhua, which was dispatched to reinforce. In the course of expulsion, TCG vessels broadcast to CCG 3501: "Your actions are breaching regional peace. It proves the peace alleged by China is a delusion. The international community do not support you. Instead, go back and fight for democracy for the Chinese. That's the correct way of making a contribution. Now stop and return immediately before we take necessary measures by law." On June 6, Chinese survey ship New Silkroad 6 entered Pratas's water, which was expelled by TCG Kaoshiung and CP-1025 and CP-1082. This was another incident involving Chinese survey vessels following the incidents in May, when "Tongji" circulated Taiwan twice under the guise of "marine research". TCG strongly condemn China for its provocative actions and reiterate that these attempts under the guise of "exercising jurisdiction" are in fact squarely infringements of regional peace and international order. TCG is determined and capable of defending our sovereignty and maritime security by all necessary measures.

Since 2019, Taiwan’s Ocean Conservation Administration has integrated resources from the Coast Guard Administration (including more than 200 inspection offices), local governments, research institutions, and civil organizations to establish the Marine Animal Rescue Network (MARN). Based on the 4R principles — Research, Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release — MARN has gradually developed standardized rescue and response procedures for protected marine wildlife. This year, two mass strandings of Pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata) occurred at the northern and southern ends of Taiwan. Thanks to timely reporting and the MARN rescue mechanism, most of these whales were successfully returned to their home — the ocean. 🌊 Pygmy killer whales are highly social animals, which is why entire pods may mass strand when some individuals become weak. We are deeply grateful to the public for recognizing these situations quickly and notifying rescue teams immediately, and to all frontline MARN responders whose dedication helped save so many precious lives. 🐋