Overview

UMC advocates caring for the environment and continues to support the implementation of ecological conservation activities. Not only has UMC hosted the Eco Echo Award for the fifth year, it also collaborates with the Eco Echo Award winner in the Environmental Protection Season every year to organize two rounds of ecological tours. Through the implementation of ecological tours, the idea of conserving the diversity and sustainability of ecology is conveyed.

On August 22, UMC and the fourth Eco Echo Award winner, the "Taiwan Ocean Conservation and Fisheries Sustainability Foundation," jointly organized the "Northeast Coast One-day Tour." By visiting the northeast coast of Taiwan, participants learned about the current ecological crisis in the ocean. In addition, through participating in the ecological activity, the ecological restoration of clownfish was observed.

Learn about clownfish
The participants first stopped at the Bitou Cape Park on the northeast coast of Taiwan. It is said that there is a beautiful underwater kingdom there. Based on the popular movie, “Finding Nemo,” this should be similar to the home of Nemo and his coral reef friends. We were not looking for Nemo, but to learn about the restoration plan for clownfish. Only by stopping the illegal fishing of clownfish in the sea, can we restore the original habitat and biodiversity of marine life, enabling sea anemones and clownfish to meet again.

Introducing the clownfish restoration plan at the Bitou Cape Park

Observing the clownfish restoration area at the Bitou Cape Park

Experiencing fisherman life
The instructor first introduced the development history of the abalone industry in Gongliao District. The artificial nursing and breeding of abalone has been carried out here for more than 60 years. By utilizing the topography of the intertidal zone and the trend of the tides, abalones are kept in flowing water. Due to such unique breeding conditions, Gongliao is able to produce high-quality abalones. After learning about the history of the abalone industry in Gongliao, the participants also experienced feeding abalones with seaweed and cooking abalones, enjoying the DIY activities!

Mackerel is also one of the specialties of Gongliao. After learning some common facts about mackerel, the participants started the DIY activity of making dry mackerel. In this activity, the Taiwanese white-bellied mackerel, which is rich in fat, was selected, allowing the participants not only to enjoy the DIY activity, but also to eat a healthy meal. The DIY activity was carried out smoothly amidst the excitement and laughter. When everyone saw the hanging mackerels, they felt a sense of accomplishment.

Feeding abalones with seaweed

Introducing marine life in the ecological pool

DIY activity: Drying mackerel

Completing the DIY activity of drying mackerel

This is a very special summer trip. In addition to learning about clownfish conservation, experiencing the cultivation and taste of delicious grilled abalones, the participants also enjoyed the DIY activity of drying mackerel. Everyone had a good time. Before participating in this event, when thinking about eating seafood, people only care about the taste. However, during this educational trip, the participants both enjoyed the food and also learned useful information about marine life, allowing everyone to have a better understanding about marine ecology and helping to achieve the goal of marine environment sustainability. It turns out that all of us can do our part to protect the ocean. It is not difficult to make the promise of "Let there be fish in the ocean forever!"

UMC employees experiencing the ecological restoration of clownfish