Summary

Although Taiwan is surrounded by biologically rich ocean and our use of the ocean's biological resources is heavy, we still have only preliminary knowledge of the dynamics of Taiwan's marine systems. This knowledge is an essential prerequisite to establishing appropriate conservation and management measures. We are now facing two immediate dangers. Species biodiversity is being reduced, and our resources exhausted.

This Institute was established to facilitate Taiwan's increasing ability to meet these challenges, especially by building up the numbers of highly trained professionals capable of dealing with issues of marine taxonomy, ecology, life history, evolutionary relationships, resource assessment and conservation. Decisions are made every day which influence the health of Taiwan's marine environment, and a better knowledge will lead to more informed and wiser use of the marine environment.

Course Emphasis

The foundation for advancement is an understanding of the basic concepts of marine biological systematics, taxonomy, ecology and evolution. These are divided into five course areas:

a. Marine biological systematics, biogeography and database techniques.

b. Marine biological ecology and evolution.

c. Basic marine biology, including behaviour, physiology, biochemistry and life histories.

d. Resource conservation and development.

e. Marine biology use and conservation technology.