2026 CoralWatch Asia Ambassador Workshop

From May 14–17, 2026, the coastal waters of Taiwan’s Hengchun Peninsula hosted the 2026 CoralWatch Asia Ambassador Workshop, an international training initiative dedicated to strengthening coral reef monitoring, citizen science, and marine conservation capacity across the Asia-Pacific region.

Organized in collaboration with the internationally recognized CoralWatch citizen science initiative developed by The University of Queensland, the four-day workshop was hosted by the Marine Affairs Research Center of National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST) with support from Taiwan’s Ocean Conservation Administration under the Ocean Affairs Council. The workshop also incorporated collaboration with CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques), particularly in relation to scientific snorkeling–related field practices.

The workshop brought together participants from Taiwan and several countries including the Philippines, Malaysia, the United States, and Finland, reflecting growing international collaboration in coral reef conservation and ocean sustainability. Participants represented diverse professional sectors, including marine science, environmental education, diving instruction, museums, government agencies, and environmental organizations.

Designed as an intensive professional training program, the workshop combined classroom lectures with field-based marine exercises. Participants received specialized instruction in coral reef ecology, climate change impacts on marine ecosystems, standardized coral health monitoring methodologies, scientific data interpretation, and citizen science applications. Field activities conducted in the waters surrounding the Hengchun Peninsula provided hands-on experience in reef assessment and underwater monitoring techniques using internationally standardized CoralWatch methods.

Ms. Hsiao-Hsia Lee, Deputy Director-General of Taiwan’s Ocean Conservation Administration, stated that the workshop successfully integrated Taiwan’s marine environments and educational resources with internationally standardized coral monitoring methodologies. She noted that it demonstrated strong potential as a regional model for marine conservation training, citizen science engagement, and ocean literacy promotion throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

In addition to technical and scientific training, the workshop placed strong emphasis on science communication, environmental education, and community engagement. Organizers aimed to cultivate a regional network of CoralWatch ambassadors capable of leading local initiatives in coral reef monitoring, public outreach, and marine conservation advocacy within their respective communities and countries.

Professor Po-Chang Ko, Vice President of NKUST, stated that the workshop reflected Taiwan’s commitment to marine conservation, ocean literacy, and international scientific collaboration. He emphasized that the workshop sought not only to strengthen scientific capacity, but also to empower participants to transform scientific knowledge into meaningful conservation action and public engagement. He further highlighted that Taiwan currently ranks 7th globally in the number of CoralWatch coral reef monitoring data submissions, demonstrating a strong foundation in citizen science and coral reef conservation participation. He added that continued outreach and international collaboration are expected to further enhance Taiwan’s contribution and visibility within the global marine conservation network.

Dr. Li-Shu Chen, Head of the Research and Collections Division at the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, described the workshop as an important step in strengthening connections between Taiwan and international coral reef conservation networks. She noted that the integration of the CoralWatch Coral Health Chart, standardized educational resources with localized field training helps cultivate professionals capable of advancing coral reef monitoring, citizen science, and marine environmental education across the region.

The Hengchun Peninsula was selected as the workshop location due to the ecological significance of its coral reef ecosystems and its importance as a biodiversity hotspot within the Western Pacific region. The area provided an ideal environment for practical reef monitoring training while highlighting the need for collaborative conservation efforts in the face of climate change, coral bleaching, and increasing human pressures on marine ecosystems.

A public outreach and training showcase was held on May 17 at Manzhou Junior High School featured participants presenting monitoring results, sharing field experiences, and engaging with local communities through marine education activities. The event further strengthened public participation in marine conservation while promoting citizen science at the community level. The showcase was attended by Mr. Jung-Fu Ku, Mayor of Manzhou Township, and Mr. Fu-Hao Yu, Principal of Manzhou Junior High School, who both expressed support for marine conservation and environmental education initiatives. In addition, Ms. Hsiu-Lan Yang, Village Chief of Gangkou Village, introduced various local fish species and demonstrated flying fish cooking as part of fish consumption education, integrating local marine culture with sustainability education and ocean literacy promotion.

As coral reef ecosystems worldwide continue to face escalating environmental challenges, the 2026 CoralWatch Asia Ambassador Workshop served as a platform for scientific exchange, regional cooperation, and practical conservation training. Through international collaboration and interdisciplinary engagement, the workshop contributed to building long-term regional capacity for coral reef protection and sustainable ocean stewardship across the Asia-Pacific region.

Professor Shiau-Yun Lu, Director-General of Taiwan’s Ocean Conservation Administration, affirmed that the agency will continue to advance international collaboration, professional training, and regional marine conservation partnerships aimed at strengthening long-term coral reef protection, citizen science engagement, and ocean governance capacity throughout the Asia-Pacific region.