In conjunction with Maritime Festival and in response to the Executive Yuan's marine conservation policy of ‘Salute to the Sea’, Taichung Port Branch of TIPC (hereinafter referred to as the Taichung Port Branch) held its first marine conservation stocking event. In compliance with the Ministry of Agriculture’s (MOA) Fisheries Agency regulations on marine stocking, Taichung Port Branch collaborated with the Penghu Fishery Research Center of the Fisheries Research Institute MOA, and their conservation release partner——Guan Yin Shan Chung Hua Dabei Fazang Buddhist Association. On June 6, 2024, the parties jointly released 45,000 juvenile fish into the waters near Taichung Port’s Cape Pearl. This initiative demonstrates TIPC’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility under its ESG policies and contributes to the sustainable development of marine resources.

Protecting the marine ecological environment is a key priority for TIPC. The ocean is essential to human survival and forms the foundation of sustainable environmental development. Only by ensuring the sustainable use of marine resources can ecosystems function properly. The government has enacted relevant legislation to actively promote ecological stocking efforts and encourages the use of scientific methods for ecological restoration. This approach ensures that suitable fish fry species are released into appropriate marine habitats. Such efforts not only help increase Taiwan’s marine biodiversity but also expand the variety and number of species being released, thereby advancing the government’s policy goals for ecological sustainability.

In addition, Taichung Port Branch partnered with Guan Yin Shan Chung Hua Dabei Fazang Buddhist Association, a long-time advocate of marine stocking, for this initiative. Under the guidance and support of Taiwan Ocean Conservation and Fisheries Sustainability Foundation, fish fry that had passed safety inspections and met environmental suitability criteria were released into the sea, which helps ensure biodiversity and ecological balance, reflecting the company's commitment to corporate social responsibility. This stocking activity not only embodies the principles of ESG but also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 14) ——Life Below Water, reinforcing the vision of green ports and the sustainable development of both ports and the environment.

TIPC expects to raise public awareness and concern for the restoration of marine resources through this event, and to promote the adoption of scientific stocking methods, thereby avoiding the potential ecological risks associated with traditional release practices. Many conventional release activities, due to a lack of professional knowledge, may result in the introduction of unsuitable species into inappropriate environments, disrupting local ecological balance. Therefore, the Taichung Port Branch and its partnering organizations adhere to scientific release principles, ensuring that both the selection of fish fry and the release locations align with ecological requirements, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of the initiative.

This conservation release activity also symbolizes Taichung Port’s commitment, as an international seaport, to actively participate in marine conservation and ecological sustainability. Moving forward, TIPC will continue to collaborate with government agencies, academic institutions, and civil society organizations to jointly promote marine resource restoration programs, enhance awareness of marine conservation, and encourage cross-sector participation to ensure the health and sustainability of Taiwan’s marine environment.