NCKU's programs towards good aquatic stewardship practices
National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) has long focused on the present and future of water resource ecology, leading numerous research and outreach initiatives. At the “2024 Taiwan International Ocean Forum” in Tainan, hosted by the Ocean Affairs Council and co-organized with the Tainan City Government and NCKU, around 300 participants from 10 countries gathered to discuss “Net-Zero Emissions and Blue Carbon Development.” The forum highlighted the crucial role of restoring and protecting blue carbon ecosystems in tackling climate change. NCKU’s strong performance in global sustainability rankings reflects both its academic strength and its firm commitment to net-zero transition, marine blue carbon conservation, carbon footprint reduction, and broader sustainable development through cross-sector collaboration.
NCKU also advances marine conservation through education and public engagement. With support from the Ocean Conservation Administration, the university’s Cetacean Research Center established the NCKU–Nanying Marine Conservation Education Center. Located on the first floor of the center, the facility displays whale and dolphin skeletal specimens and includes a dissection laboratory, offering visitors direct access to professional knowledge in marine mammal science and conservation.
Through the NSTC’s KiSS Science program, the NCKU–Nanying Marine Conservation Education Center helps junior high school students and the general public better understand the beauty and ecological importance of marine mammals. The NCKU Dolphin and Whale Rescue Team, the most important marine mammal rescue team in southern Taiwan, serves as a symbol of the university’s commitment to biodiversity. In addition to participating in real rescue operations, the team offers guided tours and simulated rescue activities, allowing visitors to experience conservation work firsthand. The Marine Biology and Cetacean Research Center further supports these efforts by responding to stranded whales and dolphins, providing follow-up care, conducting related research, and recruiting volunteers, thereby expanding public participation in protecting marine ecosystems.
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“2024 Taiwan International Ocean Forum” — Addressing Climate Change Challenges and Exploring the Importance of Restoring and Protecting Blue Carbon Ecosystems.
The Ocean Affairs Council hosted the “2024 Taiwan International Ocean Forum” in Tainan, co-organized by the Tainan City Government and NCKU. The event brought together around 300 participants, including officials and experts from 10 countries. Centered on the theme “Net-Zero Emissions and Blue Carbon Development,” the forum invited domestic and international leaders and experts to jointly explore the importance of restoring and protecting blue carbon ecosystems in addressing the challenges of climate change.
NCKU has demonstrated outstanding performance in global sustainability rankings, showcasing its academic and research achievements while reflecting the university’s firm commitment to net-zero transition. We actively promotes various sustainability initiatives, including marine blue carbon conservation, carbon footprint reduction, and net-zero transition.
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NCKU-Nanying Marine Conservation Education Center
With the support of the Ocean Conservation Administration under the Ocean Affairs Council, NCKU’s Cetacean Research Center has established the “Nanying Marine Conservation Education Center” on the first floor. The center not only showcases whale and dolphin skeletal specimens but also includes facilities such as a dissection lab, providing visitors with direct access to professional knowledge in cetacean research and conservation.
- 2024 KiSS SCiENCE — Cetacean Rescue Team
NCKU–Nanying Marine Conservation Education Center is dedicated to promoting marine conservation education. Through the NSTC’s KiSS Science program, the center enables junior high school students and the general public to not only see but also better understand the wonder and importance of marine mammals.The NCKU Dolphin and Whale Rescue Team is the most important marine mammal rescue team in southern Taiwan and symbolizes the university's commitment to biodiversity conservation. It not only raises awareness about the ocean and the protection of whales and dolphins but also offers guided tours that include simulated rescue activities, allowing visitors to experience the mission of rescue and conservation firsthand.
- NCKU Marine Biology and Cetacean Research Center
The NCKU Marine Biology and Cetacean Research Center, under National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan, focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation, and scientific research of stranded cetaceans. Since its establishment in 2009, the center has handled hundreds of cetacean stranding incidents and has successfully rehabilitated and released several individuals back into the wild. The center also recruits volunteers to assist in around-the-clock care, post-rescue monitoring, and public outreach programs aiming to raise awareness of marine conservation. Through its work, the center conducts pathological and ecological research to understand causes of cetacean mortality and to inform conservation policies. Additionally, it organizes participatory visits and simulation rescue activities to engage the public and promote marine environmental protection.
- NCKU Center for Marine Biology and Cetacean Research：Recruiting Volunteers to Raise Awareness for Marine Conservation
The NCKU Marine Biology and Cetacean Research Center is dedicated to the rescue of stranded whales and dolphins, subsequent care, and related research. Its goal is to recruit more volunteers for rescue efforts and to raise public awareness about whale and dolphin conservation, working together to protect marine ecosystems.
