Kinmen Clears Over 200 Tons of Marine Debris Annually; National Ocean Day Campaign Urges Plastic Reduction

Kinmen County Government hosted the '2026 National Ocean Day – Plastic-Free Living, Clean Ocean' environmental education event today at the Fengshiyeh Shopping Street, aiming to raise public awareness about marine debris and encourage the adoption of plastic reduction practices in daily life.

Deputy County Magistrate Chen Xianglin emphasized in his speech that Kinmen, surrounded by ocean on all sides, holds marine resources as invaluable. He highlighted that the event's theme, 'Plastic-Free Living, Clean Ocean,' reflects the urgent issue of marine pollution, noting that plastic ingested by fish ultimately enters the human body, creating an interconnected ecological cycle.

According to the Environmental Protection Bureau, Kinmen has removed over 200 metric tons of marine waste annually for the past three years. Specifically, the cleanup volumes from 2023 to 2025 (Minguo years 112 to 114) were 213.2459 tons, 214.0783 tons, and 205.6532 tons respectively. As of May 2026 (Minguo 115), 76.7829 tons have already been collected.

The event featured the annual evaluation awards for the 'Environmental Fleet,' hands-on workshops creating art from marine debris, and screenings of environmental-themed animated films. The county collaborates with private enterprises to recycle collected foam and buoys into reusable products, while local communities transform them into artworks.

The Environmental Protection Bureau reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing marine conservation efforts, including beach cleanups and environmental education campaigns, working jointly with citizens and NGOs to protect Kinmen's coastal and marine ecosystems.