2012 International Day for Biological Diversity Special Exhibition Opens Today: Give the Ocean a Future

The Forestry Bureau of the Council of Agriculture held a May 22 "International Day for Biological Diversity" event in support of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This year's theme was specifically "Marine and Coastal Biodiversity." Experts, scholars, and agencies responsible for marine affairs were invited to plan the "Give the Ocean a Future" special exhibition, whose opening ceremony was held at 10:00 a.m. on May 22 at the Agriculture Exhibition Hall of National Taiwan University.

The Surging Sea, the Beautiful Isle, Formosa -- Taiwan

Though Taiwan is a small country, the abundant resources it relies on for its livelihood are no less than those of large, powerful nations. What is abundant is not only the great variety of plants and animals on land; the splendor and diversity of marine life is truly astonishing. For all of this we must thank fate for placing Taiwan at the meeting point of three oceans and two major currents. Not only does it occupy a key strategic position in the world, but these geographical characteristics are also the source of its complex and richly varied species of life.

The United Nations designated May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity, with the aim of raising public attention to biodiversity issues. Moved by the serious overfishing of marine fish worldwide in recent years and the rapid disappearance of coral reefs and mangroves, and also to awaken all countries to the importance of marine and coastal biodiversity, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity specially set this year's (2012) theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity as "Marine and Coastal Biodiversity."

The "Give the Ocean a Future" exhibition runs from now until August 31

Since 2008, the Forestry Bureau of the Council of Agriculture has, each year, held "International Day for Biological Diversity" special exhibitions and related activities on May 22 based on the themes advocated by the Convention on Biological Diversity. This year, the "Give the Ocean a Future (OUR OCEAN, OUR FUTURE)" special exhibition on the second floor of the Agriculture Exhibition Hall of National Taiwan University runs from May 22 to August 31. In addition to linking Taiwan with the ocean, the most important purpose of the exhibition is to convey to the public, through detailed and in-depth displays, an understanding and use of marine life and resources, the current state and problems of the ocean, the sustainable management of the ocean, and what we can do for the ocean.

We need the ocean, and we need all living things to live, so that we ourselves can live! The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature in 1992 precisely so that humanity could have a sustainable future. Although species are disappearing every minute of every second, we are also trying to do our part and make our own efforts in education, conservation, and action, working hard for biodiversity!

Where there is ocean, there is life; where there is life, there is hope. To give the ocean a future, from now on let protecting the ocean, treasuring seafood, and getting to know marine products become the new task of the people of this island, because we need an ocean that renews itself endlessly!

• Exhibition period: from May 22, 101 (2012) to August 31
• Location: Second floor of the Agriculture Exhibition Hall of National Taiwan University (entrance on Section 3, Xinsheng South Road, Taipei)
• Visitor information: Monday to Sunday: 09:00-17:00; closed on national holidays

Transportation Information

Bus routes:

NTU 0 South Right, 52, 109, 253 Right, 280 Zhongshan, 280 Chengde, 284 Direct, 284 Sub, 284 Express, 290, 311 Blue, 311 Red, 505, 510, 901, Zhongxing-Xinsheng, Dunhua, Songjiang-Xinsheng

MRT routes:

Take the MRT Xindian Line and get off at Gongguan to reach the venue

Exhibition venue location map

Phone: (02)23515441 ext. 650

Website: www.forest.gov.tw