Taoyuan beach crisis: Fight to save 1000-year-old algal reef ecosystem

Forty years ago, when major industrial zones began to develop in Taoyuan's coastal area, local residents launched a strong resistance. However, as algal reef species slowly disappeared, the resistance gradually waned. A few local people still engaged in conservation activities joined forces with concerned outsiders to establish the Algae Reef Rescue Action Alliance (搶救藻礁行動聯盟). The alliance is committed to raising awareness about the algae reef issue in Taiwan through public hearings, night tours, and other activities.

Taoyuan Algae Reef is the world’s largest and most complete algal reef system. It is the main habitat of Taiwanese coral, Polycyathus chaishanensis, which is on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The area is an important fishing ground for coastal residents and has the potential to be listed on the World Heritage List of places of Outstanding Universal Value. The reef is a nursery room of marine life worthy of our attention and protection.

以下為中文對照

桃園海濱危機 千年藻礁搶救行動

四十年前，各大工業區開始進駐桃園沿海地區時，沿海居民們發起強烈的反抗，但隨著藻礁生態物種的銷聲匿跡，抗爭意識逐漸式微，少數仍投入搶救行動的在地人們，聯合起關注該議題的外地人，成立搶救藻礁行動聯盟，透過舉辦公聽會、夜觀導覽等活動，致力將藻礁議題擴展至全台灣。

桃園藻礁是全球最大、最具完整的藻礁體系，它是一級保育類柴山多杯孔珊瑚的主要棲地，是沿岸居民的漁場，甚至具有被列為世界級自然遺產的潛力，是一塊值得我們去重視、保護的海洋生物育嬰房。

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