With assistance of well-known writer Syaman Rapongan of the Tao (also known as Yami) ethnic tribe, Taiwan Ocean Research Institute (TORI) and the National Center for High-performance Computing (NCHC) of National Applied Research Laboratories (NARL), Taiwan are working together to construct an underwater ecology observatory in Lanyu or Orchid Island, a small volcanic island 46 km southeastern of Taiwan's man island. Once the observatory is completed in July, the National Science Council (NSC) and the National Applied Research Laboratories (NARL) plan to organize public education activities on coral reefs during the summer vacation.

Dr. Forng-Chen Chiu, Director General of the TORI said that after extensive surveys, the underwater cliff at depth of 15 meters near Lanyu Junior High School was selected as a site for the observatory with underwater video cameras and hydrology monitoring instruments. Also a network is established to transmit the real-time images of the coral reef ecosystem to the NCHC. These images are then used as education resources on ocean ecosystem for Lanyu's elementary and junior high school students.

Dr. Fang-Pang Lin, the NCHC researcher responsible for setting up the network, remarked that if there is sufficient bandwidth, the education program will be extended to elementary and junior high school students in Taiwan's main island for their appreciation of Lanyu's dazzling coral reef and the life around it. As being done for Kenting's Underwater Ecological Observatory, the NCHC also plans to link the Lanyu's observatory with the EcoGrid project that is funded by the US National Science Foundation to promote long-term ecological research. This networking, which includes Australia's Great Barrier Reef Moorea Coral Reef and others, facilitates international scientists to observe and research on the ecological dynamics of Lanyu's coral reefs.

In addition, the NARL is setting up a large screen at Lanyu airport to show the real-time underwater images taken by the observatory so the tourists can witness the beauty of Lanyu's ecology. Dr. Forng-Chen Chiu also disclosed that the NARL is collaborating with the NSC to organize Lanyu coral reef ecology and Yami culture education programs during the summer vacation in conjunction with the opening of the Lanyu underwater observatory.

Dr. Fang-Pang Lin pointed out that Lanyu's coral reef is most beautiful in Taiwan; even Kenting's is not comparable. However, it was much more difficult to set up the underwater observatory in Lanyu than in Kenting. The installation faces many challenges. The internet infrastructure in Lanyu is far inferior to Taiwan's main island. And strong underwater ocean currents make it difficult to install observatory and maintain cable transmission stability. Furthermore, recurrent typhoons disrupt the smooth operation of underwater cameras and instruments for continuing observations. 


Syaman Writes about Lanyu's Swirling Beauty from a Scientific Perspective

“It is joyful to be able to work alongside my life's work, the ocean!” This is a remark made by a famed Tao ocean writer Syaman Rapongan. Despite trying to suppress his true emotions, Syaman's eyes still sparkled with tears which revealed the passion he felt from within. He said: “moving around to so many places, I am fortunate to get this job because of my connection to the ocean.”

Previously Syaman was a full-time writer focusing on the Tao people and the ocean. Syaman's acclaimed writing on these subjects led the former Minister of the Council for Cultural Affairs Chi-nan Chen to exclaim: “Syaman Rapongan is qualified as a candidate for Nobel Prize in Literature.”

In a surprising turn of events, Syaman decided to move from the literature to the science last summer. He accepted an offer from  the NARL to take up the position as an associate researcher with  the TORI. “They have never looked at ocean science from a humanistic perspective,” commented Syaman, “They believe this is a place where I can make a contribution.”

After joining the TORI, Syaman not only joined research missions on ocean research vessels but also worked to facilitate cooperation between  the TORI and  the NCHC to establish the first underwater ecology education observatory on Lanyu Island. Syaman, who has explored coral reefs all around Lanyu, became the central figure for the project. He organized an exploration team made up of his ethnic tribal people for evaluating the underwater camera installation site. Moreover, he took frequent underwater dives during winter months and tried to convince the Tao people on the merits of the observatory.

Initially, the Tao people were loath on an installation of the underwater ecology observatory because its site is too close to the graves of Yayu Village. This, they believe, would offend the spirits of their ancestors. “When we first explained to them, the people were somewhat confused about how network cameras can be used for nature education. It took us quite a bit of efforts to convince the concerned people that there are only benefits but drawbacks of this observatory.”

Syaman added that the ecology observatory gives the Tao elementary and junior high school students an opportunity to learn the value of Lanyu's ocean ecology. Also it offers the people in Taiwan's main island and around the world to appreciate the dazzling beauty of Lanyu's underwater ecology. People can join together in smelling the ocean water and listening to the sounds of the ocean.

After joining the TORI for almost a year, Syaman's special background as a writer has attracted much international attention. Japan NHK Television teamed up with anthropologists and created an ocean ecology program. For the program, they invited Syaman to give lectures on ocean science and ocean literature in Japan. Syaman Rapongan has also been invited to talk about Tao's traditional culture and Lanyu's marine ecology in an international conference on the Philippine seas. 

An Anti-Nuclear Waste Pioneer Still Refuses to Accept Compensation

“I never thought about finding an employed job for myself after returning to Lanyu!” exclaimed the highly acclaimed Tao writer Syaman Rapongan. Who would have thought that Syaman would be recruited by TORI and take his first employed job as an associate researcher after 20 years of absence from his home island, Lanyu?

Now aged 53, Syaman originally was given the Han Chinese name of Shi Nu-Lai. A graduate of Tamkang University in French language had worked odd jobs and driven taxi on Taiwan's main island to support himself. He had also worked as a substitute teacher. Starting in 1988, his name resonated throughout Taiwan's grass root movements such as restoration of native names, environmental protection and opposition to the construction of the fourth nuclear power plant. He participated in these movements with passion. Also he has been an active leader to conscientize the Tao people to drive away the storage of nuclear wastes on Lanyu Island.

Awakened from his participation in the anti-nuclear waste movement, Shi Nu-Lai decided to restore his native name of Syaman Rapongan and to return to Lanyu or the island known to the Tao people as Ponso no Tao (island of the people) where he would live and write stories about the ocean and the Tao people. In the following years, he published “Myth of Badaiwan”, “Deep Love for Cold Sea”, “Black Wings” and “Recollection of the Ocean Waves”, which were well received by the literary community.