In an ongoing effort to advance marine conservation, the Keelung City Government this year carried out three landmark programs: a baseline ecological survey of the Wanghaixiang Chaojing Bay Resource Conservation Zone, a Marine Citizen Scientist training program, and a juvenile fish stocking and release initiative. Together, these three programs address the key pillars of marine baseline research, civic participation, and ecological restoration in Keelung — and have yielded impressive results.
A group photo of guests and Marine Citizen Scientists at the event
Keelung's Inaugural Marine Citizen Scientist Training Camp
This year, the Keelung City Government partnered with the Ocean Conservation Administration to host Keelung's first-ever Marine Citizen Scientist training program. A total of 56 volunteer divers were trained, producing over 1,000 underwater photographs of marine life. These precious underwater images will be on display from October 17 to 30 at the first-floor lobby of the Keelung East Wharf Mall. The exhibition was officially opened by a distinguished group of guests, including Huang Jian-feng, Director of the Keelung City Government's Department of Industrial Development; Chen Su-fen, Director of the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology; Jan Fan-hua, Vice President of National Taiwan Ocean University; Zeng Zhen-de, Chief Secretary of the Fisheries Research Institute; Chen Wen-qin, General Manager of the Keelung District Fishermen's Association; and Lin Wen-qi, Station Chief of the Ocean Conservation Administration's Northern Keelung Station. The public is warmly invited to visit the exhibition during the display period.
Director Huang Jian-feng of the Department of Industrial Development noted that while government resources are limited, the power of the public is boundless — through the participation of citizen scientists, everyone can contribute to the ocean in their own way.
The Spirit of the Marine Citizen Scientist: Everyone Can Play a Part for the Environment
Director Huang Jian-feng of the Department of Industrial Development noted that while government resources are limited, the power of the public is boundless. Through the participation of Marine Citizen Scientists, divers can contribute meaningfully to ocean conservation simply by documenting and sharing images during their recreational dives. Marine Citizen Scientist Jin Ying-yue, who has logged over 250 scuba tank dives, shared that the Chaojing Conservation Zone is incredibly rich in marine life — particularly the wide variety of vividly colored and adorably shaped nudibranch species, making it nothing short of a "nudibranch paradise." Through the training and guidance offered by the Marine Citizen Scientist program — such as paying closer attention to the surrounding environment of a subject and incorporating that context into the composition — divers are able to capture images of genuine scientific value.
Marine Citizen Scientist and dive instructor Jian Chen-yu documented the rare Japanese eagle ray and barrel sponge spawning event.
Dive instructor Jian Chen-yu, who grew up in the neighboring Changtan fishing village near the Chaojing Conservation Zone, also noted that conducting underwater baseline ecological surveys allows scientific data to clearly demonstrate the tangible conservation outcomes of the Chaojing Conservation Zone. Being able to lead divers in ongoing ecological survey work — and give something back to his hometown — makes this endeavor all the more meaningful.
To further enhance marine restoration efforts, the Keelung City Government's Department of Industrial Development organized three juvenile fish stocking and release events this year, releasing a combined total of 40,000 juvenile fish — including spotted knifejaw (Oplegnathus punctatus), barred knifejaw (Oplegnathus fasciatus), and black porgy (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) — to continually replenish aquatic resources. Eight rounds of baseline ecological surveys were also conducted within the Wanghaixiang Chaojing Bay Resource Conservation Zone, accumulating biological data of significant benchmark value for Taiwan's conservation areas. The eight rounds of Marine Citizen Scientist training held this year produced 56 trained volunteer divers and over 1,000 precious underwater photographs of marine life — including first-ever records at Chaojing of the Japanese eagle ray and the Japanese wobbegong (Orectolobus japonicus), documented by volunteer divers for the first time.
The underwater ecosystem of Keelung's Chaojing Conservation Zone is exceptionally rich.
These invaluable records enable researchers and government agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of the Conservation Zone's management and serve as a policy reference for its continued administration. By systematically accumulating long-term, wide-ranging underwater biological records through these programs, conservation trends can be identified from large datasets. Such trends can also serve as evidence for researchers studying habitat and environmental change, and provide a critical scientific foundation for government agencies advancing marine conservation policy.
Next year, more members of the public will be invited to join the ranks of Marine Citizen Scientists.
Driving Marine Policy Forward Through Local Co-existence and Shared Prosperity
Director Huang Jian-feng of the Department of Industrial Development noted that Keelung's marine policy starts from the heart, drawing together the strengths of industry, government, academia, and the community to achieve the results seen today. Looking ahead, he expressed hope that through the "Ocean-Friendly Dive Shop Certification" and the ongoing conservation efforts of the Marine Citizen Scientist program, Keelung can drive industrial transformation — positioning the Chaojing Conservation Zone as the most important marine industry and marine education experience center in northern Taiwan. This would create greater value-added benefits for local residents and allow future generations to continue enjoying the beauty of the blue ocean.
Every photograph is a cornerstone of marine research contributed by the Marine Citizen Scientists.
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