On the March 8, 2022, Professor Hung-Jeng Tsai invited Dr. Shih-Ming Kao, the Associate Professor at Graduate Institute of Marine Affairs at National Sun Yat-sen University, to offer a guest lecture for the students of Consulting Methods and Practice, taught jointly by Professor Chien-Yuan Sher, Professor Heng-Yen Chang, and Professor Hung-Jeng Tsai.

The objective of this guest lecture was to provide students with the basic concept and introduce them to the fishing industry environment in Taiwan, and, the situation of Taiwanese fisheries politically and economically before their field trip to the Lung Soon ocean group.

Dr. Shih-Ming Kao started his lecture by introducing the background and origin of international fishing governance. First of all, the United Nations conference on the law of the sea in 1958 in Geneva, which was the first conference worldwide on this topic. Second, a conference held from 1973 to 1982, the United Nations convention on the law of the sea. Thirdly, the United Nations Fish Stock Agreement was adopted in 1995. Lastly, the Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs). These regulations and organizations have committed themselves to protecting the ocean and the international fishing industry.

Following that, Dr. Shih-Ming Kao introduced Taiwan’s fisheries industry. He emphasized more on distant water fisheries, which account for the largest number of fisheries activities in Taiwan. It encompasses a variety of techniques such as longline fishing and purse seine fishing. Additionally, we watched a documentary about the people who work in the risky deep-water fishing industry, even if their salary is relatively high. However, this is a challenging and dangerous job, and it does not allow them to visit their family and friends for a long time. During the documentary, students were impressed by the resilience, patience, and experience of distant water workers.

At the end of the lecture, Dr. Shih-Ming Kao reminisced his participation in several international conferences on behalf of Taiwan. He brought out the problems and challenges we are facing right now in terms of high seas fisheries, and the risk of having no fish in the ocean by 2049. We all need to act to protect our environment at this point. After the lecture, a group photo was snapped to commemorate the event.