TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) on Monday urged regional cooperation to manage the increasing amount of marine debris.

“We hope all parties can set aside political differences, focus on the ocean, and work toward solutions,” Kuan said at the Indo-Pacific International Forum on Marine Debris Governance, per CNA.

Taiwan’s offshore islands have long borne the impact of cross-border marine debris, affecting local ecological conservation and fisheries livelihoods, Kuan said. The costs of collection, disposal, and recycling are also significantly higher than on Taiwan’s main island.

Of the 500 tonnes of marine debris in Kinmen each year, over 70% comes from aquaculture waste drifting from China, she said. Over the past three years, the OAC has provided Kinmen NT$13.822 million (US$432,715) for marine debris management.

Kuan added that through professional exchanges at the forum, she hopes to help establish pathways for cross-border marine debris management. She said the event also conveys an important message: Even a small island can become a key node in global ocean governance.

“Despite complex cross-border challenges, as long as all parties are willing to cooperate, set aside politics, and focus on the ocean, I believe solutions can gradually be found,” she said.