1. Premier Cho Reviews Fisheries Projects in Pingtung

Premier Cho Jung-tai visited Jiadong Township and Fangliao Fishing Port in Pingtung County on September 28 to review aquaculture seawater supply and fishing port improvement projects. He was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Huang Chao-hsien and Fisheries Agency Director-General Wang Mao-cheng. The Fisheries Agency said the government will expand seawater supply systems to three aquaculture areas in Jiadong, building on the Wengfeng Seawater Supply Station launched in 2014 to reduce groundwater extraction and improve water supply stability. At Fangliao Fishing Port, a project will add a 458-meter wharf, one slipway and six shore-side water and power facilities. The upgrades will provide berthing space for 47 more vessels during normal operations and shelter for 104 more vessels during typhoons, benefiting 315 fishing vessels. The Executive Yuan said the projects cover seawater supply systems in Zones B and C, expansion of the Fangliao Fishing Port berthing area, and the Fanzaijun seawater supply project. More than NT$4.3 billion will be jointly invested by the central and local governments, with projects to be implemented in phases from 2027 to 2034.
 

2. Taiwan sets medical kit standards for fishing vessels

Taiwan's Fisheries Agency announced new standards on September 29 for medicines and medical equipment required on fishing vessels, covering 96 types of medicines and 82 types of medical equipment for distant-water and coastal fishing vessels. The agency said the list was developed with medical and industry experts to address common at-sea emergencies, including trauma, cardiovascular emergencies, pain and inflammation, respiratory conditions and vital-sign monitoring. Fishermen can legally purchase the required medicines based on the official list. The standards also align with the International Labour Organization’s Work in Fishing Convention (C188) and will help distant-water fishing vessels meet port State control requirements. The Fisheries Agency plans to provide subsidies for essential medicines and equipment and combine the new standards with first-aid training and telemedicine services to strengthen medical protection for crew members at sea.