Taipei: Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) Minister Kuan Bi-ling condemned Chinese fishers on Monday for using cyanide in fishing practices, urging adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Speaking to reporters after the International Conference on Marine Environmental Management, Kuan addressed the issue following the recent seizure of a Chinese vessel by Taiwan's Coast Guard. The vessel was illegally operating near Dongsha Island in the South China Sea and was found carrying cyanide.

According to Focus Taiwan, cyanide fishing involves using a sodium cyanide mixture to stun fish for capture, harming not only the targeted species but also other marine organisms and coral reefs. Kuan emphasized the need for all countries to respect UNCLOS, condemning China's violations of international law and asserting Taiwan's commitment to defending its waters.

Kuan further stated that Taiwan plans to enhance its maritime surveillance capabilities, beginning with drone development and eventually expanding to manned aircraft. She also announced that the OAC's latest National Ocean Policy White Paper will be released at the end of this month.

The OAC noted that the white paper is an annual publication mandated by the Ocean Basic Act, serving as a blueprint for Taiwan's ocean policy. It outlines the country's vision for marine development and policy objectives.

The conference, which took place in Taipei, gathered 27 experts from various countries, including the United States, France, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India, along with Taiwanese academics. Key discussions focused on marine environmental protection, pollution prevention, waste management, water and sediment quality management, and international cooperation.

During the event, Taiwan and Indonesia signed a memorandum of agreement to deepen their partnership in marine debris management, setting a foundation for sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific region.