TCC's Hoping EcoPort Obtains OECMs Certification: The Only Industrial Port in Taiwan to be Selected

Zoey Chen｜Environmental Education Specialist, Hoping EcoPort

"Industrial areas usually bring to mind cement and cargo ships, but here, what we see are corals, fish, and restoration efforts," stated Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) Minister Bi-ling Kuan firmly at the certification ceremony. 

Originally built to facilitate cement transportation, the Hoping EcoPort in Hualien has recognized environmental protection as a vital responsibility since its construction. This long-standing commitment has been rewarded generously by the ocean! Strolling along the pier, one can easily spot damselfish darting among corals in the clear blue waters; even from the shore, large giant clams can be seen resting on the Bio Cubes, growing safely with the ebbing and flowing tides. 

Marine OECMs: Sustaining Biodiversity

Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) are a key UN sustainability initiative. They aim to protect ecologically valuable natural habitats outside traditional reserves through long-term collaboration among governments, businesses, and civil society. 

However, the Hoping EcoPort story resembles a beautiful serendipity. Its initial inward-excavated design and natural rock revetment engineering, combined with the eastern Kuroshio Current, provided an ideal habitat for drifting corals to settle and attach. Crucially, long-term strict air quality management and water monitoring, alongside the implementation of shore power and enclosed transport systems, inadvertently laid the foundation for a stable and safe marine sanctuary. 

Cultivating an Underwater Rainforest with Low-Carbon Cement Bio Cubes

Coral reefs cover only 0.1% of the ocean floor but support 25% of marine life, earning them the title of underwater rainforests. Thus, in 2021, TCC launched an unwavering initiative: "Building a Home for Corals." 

Collaborating with experts, scholars, and NGOs, the Hoping EcoPort team carefully secured broken coral fragments, detached by natural causes, with cable ties onto low-carbon cement "Bio Cubes embossed with the TCC logo," providing a solid foundation for biological restoration. Years later, these small fragments have thrived in the pristine water. Diverse corals have grown dense branches, forming a vibrant underwater forest that attracts various tropical fish, crustaceans, and shellfish to feed and breed.

From nurturing a single coral fragment to restoring an entire reef, witnessing the ocean freely regenerate life is a truly healing and inspiring experience.

◼︎ 160 Coral Species Recorded ◼︎
The port has successfully recorded 160 coral species and over 200 fish and shellfish species, serving as a vital relay station connecting the marine ecology of the East Coast. 

◼︎ Large Giant Clam Clusters ◼︎
Giant clams are CITES-protected species. Currently, three precious and protected species have been recorded here: Tridacna maxima, Tridacna noae, and Tridacna squamosa.

Engaging Locally: A Pledge with Stakeholders to Protect the Ocean 

Marine conservation is never a solo endeavor. For TCC, just as we treat the ocean with tenderness, our relationship with local communities must also embody the concepts of mutual prosperity and local revitalization.

To apply for the OECMs certification, the Hoping EcoPort team engaged extensively with local leaders, indigenous tribes, schools, community groups, and partners across Hualien and Yilan to embed the determination of ocean conservation into daily community life. The public was invited to port activities to witness the beautiful life stories of the coral reefs firsthand. Upon hearing about the successful OECMs certification, Hoping Village Chief Lian-yi Dong proudly exclaimed, "I am extremely proud! My hometown's port can now rival international marine ecological areas." The seed of marine conservation has truly sprouted and grown in everyone's hearts. 

AUTHOR

Zoey Chen｜
Environmental Education Specialist, Hoping EcoPort

I once saw an old red-brick house whose intricate beauty witnessed the endless dialogue between humanity and nature.