TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Hi-Scene World Enterprise Company (Hi-Scene), operator of the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, signed a cooperation agreement with Japan’s Kamo Aquarium, renowned for its jellyfish exhibits.
Hi-Scene said Wednesday (Sept. 25) that it signed a partnership with Kamo Aquarium to enhance jellyfish breeding techniques through mutual learning and technical exchanges. The agreement, signed in June, includes plans for visits to each other's facilities to share expertise, per CNA.
Both institutions hope to conserve biodiversity, develop talent, and raise the standards of domestic aquarium management through international cooperation. As a result of this collaboration, Hi-Scene has successfully bred more than 20 species of jellyfish.
Staff already exchanged visits to learn from each other's expertise in jellyfish breeding. These exchanges have covered various aspects, such as improving breeding techniques, identifying species, collecting jellyfish, and sharing experiences with different species.
Hi-Scene currently displays four jellyfish species at the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium (NMMBA): the Atlantic sea nettle, the moon jellyfish, the upside-down jellyfish, and the blue Papuan jellyfish. The company plans to introduce more jellyfish species to the aquarium.
Kamo Aquarium Director Kazuya Okuizumi expressed his excitement about the partnership. Okuizumi hopes for more cross-strait collaborations with Taiwan on marine conservation.
Kamo Aquarium, located on the Sea of Japan coast in Yamagata Prefecture, boasts the world's largest collection of jellyfish species, with over 60 varieties. This aquarium attracts more than 500,000 visitors each year, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.
The NMMBA features popular marine animals like beluga whales, penguins, and seals. It also offers daily feeding demonstrations and interactive touch pools, according to the Tourism Bureau.
The museum unveiled Taiwan's first blue whale skeleton in December 2023. Through the efforts of experts, the intricate details of its structure were meticulously restored, offering a unique glimpse into the creature's anatomy.
