Charity Column

Championing a “Plastic-Free Ocean"

As IYFR’s International Plastic-Free Ocean Advisor, Taiwan Vice Commodore and founding Commander of the Unique Seven Fleet, RVC JS has always believed the ocean is not only the planet’s most precious resource but also fundamental to human life, the economy and the future. Surrounded by sea, Taiwan’s relationship with the ocean is inseparable — protecting it should never be just a slogan, but a shared responsibility for every person, business and charitable organisation.

In recent years, the Unique Seven Fleet has actively engaged in marine charity and environmental action. One of the ocean’s greatest crises today is plastic pollution — vast quantities of single-use plastics entering rivers and seas, damaging marine ecosystems and threatening fish, sea turtles and countless marine species, ultimately endangering human health and our living environment too.

That’s why we don’t just clean beaches and collect ocean debris — more importantly, we work to reduce plastic use at the source, promoting reduction, reuse, circular economy and environmental education. Real ocean protection must start with everyone’s daily habits, corporate responsibility, and education for the next generation.

Coral Restoration Efforts

During the 2026 RI Convention Taipei, initiated by Taiwan Light-up Fleet’s CFC PDG Healthy, IYFR’s 8 fleets in Taiwan jointly launched the “Coral 60″ global ocean charity initiative, holding a press conference at the House of Friendship where IYFR International Commodore Carol, several past International Commodores and 60 prominent Rotarians planted coral together — showing the world IYFR Taiwan’s real action on ocean conservation.

The Sapphire StarFleet has also long championed coral restoration: after forming a sister-fleet bond with a Philippine fleet, both sides jointly took part in tree-planting service at Tagaytay Highlands, and during the 2026 RI Convention Taipei joined other fleets in the Coral 60 initiative.

Beach Clean-Ups & Ocean Education

All fleets across Taiwan have made beach clean-ups, ocean clean-ups and marine education part of their regular activities: the Formosa Fleet holds cross-fleet exchanges and charity clean-ups; the Southern Cross Fleet created the “Beach Cinema" and “Ocean Academy"; the Galaxy Fleet actively takes part in beach clean-ups, marine environmental education and ecological restoration; the Unique Seven Fleet combines SUP paddleboarding, water safety education, beach and dive clean-ups, and visits to the National Museum of Marine Biology to learn about sea turtle rescue, aquaculture and coral breeding, cultivating members who “understand boats, sailing and the ocean"; and the Uranus Fleet is also active in coral restoration, island reef conservation and beach clean-up education.