TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Seagrass has emerged as one of the top natural solutions to combat the climate crisis.
According to a previous study by the United Nations Environment Programme, although seagrass covers just 0.1% of the ocean floor, it stores up to 18% of the ocean’s carbon. In addition, seagrass beds provide essential habitat and a food source for numerous threatened and endangered species.
As an island nation, Taiwan is naturally rich in seagrass-related resources. Ocean Conservation Administration official Shih Yi-chen (施義哲) told Business Today that Taiwan’s Coastal Blue Carbon Ecosystem currently includes 22 seagrass beds, 43 mangrove forests, and seven salt marshes, totaling 9,000 hectares.
Seagrass alone covers more than 7,800 hectares, 85% of Taiwan’s CBCE, making it a critical focus for blue carbon development. However, a recent investigation showed seagrass beds are rapidly disappearing. In Penghu’s Gangzih Seagrass Protection Zone, 66.8% of the original bed has been lost.
Penghu Fishery Research Institute Director Hsieh Heng-i (謝恆毅) attributed the deterioration to ship dredging and harmful fishing practices in intertidal zones. Gangzih resident Kuo Hsiao-wei (郭筱葳) lamented how his grandfather once spoke of the area’s rich biodiversity compared to its current state.
Amid the rise of the blue carbon economy, more efforts are underway to restore Taiwan’s seagrass beds. National Chung Hsing University professor and seagrass expert Lin Hsing-ju (林幸助) noted that seagrass’s intricate root systems prevent shoreline erosion, while its blades help regulate sea currents and protect coasts from storm surges. He emphasized that seagrass’ remarkable photosynthetic ability plays a role in carbon fixation, local climate regulation, and water purification.
National Taiwan University has also launched seagrass restoration and research programs. NTU Institute of Fisheries Science Assistant Professor Wu Yu-chi (吳育騏) partnered with Taigen Bioscience Corporation founder Li Kuan-cheng (李冠徵) to investigate the optimal conditions for seagrass growth. In cooperation with the National Park Service, they proposed creating a gene bank using indigenous seagrass species from locations like the Pratas Islands.
Li said the gene bank could support future restoration efforts and preserve Taiwan’s seagrass biodiversity. It would also serve as a reservoir of healthy specimens in the event of large-scale habitat damage.
Despite the momentum, there is still no global consensus on blue carbon methodology. Taiwan’s Environment Ministry, in a Jan. 23 review, rejected all current blue carbon project proposals, including those involving seagrass.
Shih acknowledged that although the government is promoting blue carbon, there is still no standardized way to calculate it. Still, with the authority’s encouragement, corporations will need to prioritize conserving biodiversity in their sustainability strategies.
The Financial Supervisory Commission now requires all publicly listed companies with capital under NT$2 billion (US$62 million) to publish sustainability reports in line with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures guidelines.
Penghu has led the charge in seagrass restoration, inspired by National Taiwan Ocean University Professor Hisao Ogawa. In 2014, the Penghu Fishery Research Institute began planting seagrass in Tongliang waters. The area has since grown 20-fold, with planting efforts expanding to Chongguang and Hijing.
In 2022, the Penghu County government established Taiwan’s first official seagrass protection zone in Gangzih. In 2024, CTBC Holding joined the restoration effort, enabling its participation in the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures.
Kuo added that Gangzih, in collaboration with the Fishery Research Institute, will host biodiversity-themed summer camps this year to educate and inspire the next generation.