Swirling seas, beautiful island
Chin says, “If you ask me or Su Huai about Taiwan’s seas, we’ll tell you they are truly amazing!” He explains that roughly a third of the world’s nearly 90 species of cetaceans have been seen in Taiwan’s waters, a figure that stands in stark contrast to the limited number of species visible in most of the world’s other whale-watching destinations. Travelers boarding a whale-watching vessel out of Hualien’s harbor often see more than ten cetacean species. These include the deep-water-dwelling Risso’s dolphin, which swims relatively close to shore in Taiwan’s waters because of the steep slope of the seafloor off our east coast.
Taiwan also offers opportunities to see five of the world’s seven extant sea turtle species, including the endangered green sea turtle, which is the most common turtle around Xiaoliuqiu, and the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle. Chin says that visitors to the island have a 90% chance of seeing one, and quips: “This is the only place in the world where you might step on a sea turtle.”
Their undersea photos have not only brought them success, but, more importantly, have also introduced others to an ocean they didn’t know.
People don’t feel a sense of loss for things they don’t see or know about. “But cetaceans often become entangled in nets,” says Chin. “And when fishermen operating illegally are involved, they just cut off the ensnared flippers and leave the cetaceans to die.”
When no one watches for these kinds of tragedies, the general public remains unaware that they are occurring.
But not knowing about something doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. Su screens an underwater film of a sea turtle that is skittish around people. Having mistakenly eaten marine debris, it excretes a plastic bag. The turtle was in deplorable condition, but luck brought it to Su, who was able to provide it with a new lease on life.
Problems like the proliferation of plastic in the ocean are urgent, but Chin and Su are not as preachy as some environmentalists. Instead, they use their photographs to directly educate people about an environment that cannot speak for itself.
The seafloor is beautiful and cruel. Su Huai uses documentary photographs to raise awareness of ocean conservation. (courtesy of Su Huai)
Su Huai and Polly Chen jointly operate the independent Linger Bookstore to promote ocean education.
Su Huai carries a waterproof camera as he prepares to enter the water.