On the Ceremony of Forestry and Nature Conservation Outstanding for the Year 2016 held by Forestry Bureau, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan on March 18, NMMBA was awarded the Promote Life Education Award for the Year 2016 to commemorate its contribution in the conservation and rehabilitation of sea turtles.
Council of Agriculture Minister Lin Tsung-hsien delivered the speech, “Environmental protection and nature conservation requires concerned efforts among stakeholders, in particular the core values and actions of the general public.” Minister Lin encouraged every sector and public member to participate in the sustainability of the environment so as to share the beauty of Taiwan with our next generations.
The 45 finalists for the Award included 12 communities, 14 government teams, 3 volunteers as well as 16 government employees were also awarded on the ceremony.
Forestry Bureau hopes that by commemorating the efforts of different organizations/ parties in this event, environmental awareness of the general public can be enhanced and nature conservation can be advanced in Taiwan.
NMMBA regularly receives and rehabilitates injured sea turtles. The causes of injury are mostly related to human activities, ranging from boat strike, fishing net entanglement, accidental ingestion of foreign materials and fishing hooks, etc. NMMBA continues to collaborate with the local governments on the rehabilitation and release of sea turtles and public education, such as exhibit, seminar and publication. Release of rehabilitated sea turtle is also conducted with the participation of local schools and children.
Inappropriate religious release of animals, such as massive release of invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds, can bring potential adverse impact to the local ecology. Under the policy of Forestry Bureau, NMMBA collaborates with religious bodies and local government in the program “life release in the form of rehabilitation”, where all parties support the rehabilitation and release of stranded sea turtles in an ecologically-proper manner.
To help the general public to understand and participate in nature conservation and species protection, each conservation event is publicized in news reports to reach a wider range of audience.