Title of Project: 
Overview of the Establishment and Research Outcomes of the Nansha Marine Station in the Spratly Islands

Duration:
The years 2021 to 2024

Name of Principle Investigator:

Director Chih-Wei Chang, Marine Ecology and Conservation Research Center, National Academy of Marine Research 
Assistant Research Fellow Li-Chin Chou, Marine Ecology and Conservation Research Center, National Academy of Marine Research 

Abstract of Project:
The National Academy of Marine Research (NAMR) established a marine research station on Taiping Island in the Spratly Islands at the end of 2021, serving as a prominent offshore research base for Taiwan. Over the past three years, NAMR has collaborated with government agencies and domestic and international academic institutions to advance a range of marine science and conservation projects in the surrounding waters. Research topics include coral reef monitoring, sea turtle studies, hydrological data collection, seafloor mapping, surveys of macroalgae, and environmental DNA analyses. After the establishment of the research station, the NAMR has continued to enhance its research capabilities in the South China Sea and has gradually developed into an important marine science base for our country.

Outcomes and Milestones: 
NAMR has successfully advanced numerous independent and collaborative research projects in the waters surrounding Taiping Island. To date, these efforts have included 31 research cruises with a total of 116 personnel participating, accounting for 836 days on the island and accomplishing at least 28 research tasks. The scope of work covers seafloor topography and hydrological analyses, coral reef ecosystem and environmental DNA monitoring, surveys of macroalgae and cryptic reef fishes, studies of invertebrates and terrestrial hermit crabs, beach microplastic pollution assessments, long-term monitoring of sea temperature and light intensity, as well as support for the Ocean Conservation Administration in sea turtle research, crown-of-thorns starfish removal, and reef habitat assessments.
In addition, NAMR is actively fostering international collaboration by inviting scholars from neighboring South China Sea countries to jointly study coral reef environmental changes in the region. Through transnational teamwork and data sharing, these initiatives aim to provide scientific foundations for regional marine conservation and climate change strategies, expand Taiwan’s research presence in the South China Sea, and promote international scientific cooperation and exchange.