Conservationists Demand Halt to Taichung Land Reclamation Threatening White Dolphins
By Devin Tsai/Ted Chen/Yvonne Yang
Conservationists are protesting a land reclamation project at the Port of Taichung, warning that it threatens the habitat of the critically endangered Taiwanese white dolphin. They say construction waste from five central Taiwan counties could contain pollutants that harm the dolphins. They also note the risk of vessel strikes. A transportation ministry official accepted the group's petition, pledging to review their demands with the port company and the environment ministry.
Protecting Taiwan's White Dolphins
REPORTER:
Conservationists stage a protest, hoping to stop land reclamation work at the Port of Taichung. They say the construction work threatens the habitat of the already endangered Taiwanese white dolphin.
This case is highly controversial.
We already exposed it back in March.
It skirted environmental impact assessment and wildlife conservation law review.
Now, to help the Cabinet deal with the excess dirt, it's set to allow leftover construction soil and rock from five central Taiwan counties to be used for land reclamation starting in September.
REPORTER:
Protesters are worried more than just dirt and rock will be used in the project. They say construction waste may contain debris and pollutants that could threaten the dolphins.
Their stress will increase and these pressures will affect their health, reduce their swimming speed and ability to find food, and increase their risk of being struck by vessels.
REPORTER:
An official from the transportation ministry, which is in charge of the port, came out to accept a protest group's petition.
We will coordinate again with the port company and the environment ministry regarding the alliance's demands raised today and carefully review them in accordance with the law, then give an appropriate response.
REPORTER:
With only a few dozen of the dolphins left in the wild, conservationists are hoping for a win here, to keep Taiwan's waters safe for this critically endangered species.
