Groups urge re-examination of port impactDOLPHIN DEFENDERS Environmentalists pled with the environment ministry to reconsider the possible impact of a Taichung port land reclamation projectBy Esme Yeh / Staff reporterEnvironmental advocates yesterday urged the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) to suspend a land reclamation project by Taiwan International Ports Corp (TIPC) at Taichung port and put it through a second-stage environmental impact assessment (EIA) review. The Taichung port project has generated backlash from environmental advocates due to its impact on surrounding habitats of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, sometimes called white or pink dolphins. The project was exempted from EIA review when it was proposed in 2022, because it was judged to be “within existing breakwaters of the port,” and lawfully qualified for the exemption. Matsu’s Fish Conservation Union standing director Kuo Chia-wen (郭佳雯) said land reclamation would destroy local marine food chains, increase seawater turbidity and expose dolphins to higher health risks of heavy metals in water. Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Chen Gau-tzu (陳昭姿) asked that the MOENV withdraw the official document granting the exemption of an EIA review to the project.

Source: Taipei Times March 06, 2026 17:13 UTC