Following the impact of Typhoon Doksuri in late July and the subsequent southwest monsoon, strong winds and waves brought a large amount of marine debris onto the sandbar at Ding-Tou-Er-Shan, located outside the Qigu Lagoon. In response, the Taijiang National Park Headquarters (TJNP) initiated a cleanup operation and held the “Taijiang Ding-Tou-Er-Shan Beach Cleanup Event” on August 28, 2023. Local agencies, communities, and businesses were invited to participate in the cleanup, working together to protect the marine ecosystem and support the development of local tourism.

The Ding-Tou-Er-Shan sandbar, located at the far western point of Taiwan’s mainland, is home to the Guosheng Lighthouse. The area is known for its stunning crescent-shaped sand dunes, and after rainfall, it often resembles the dreamy hues of the “Angel's Tears” of Jiaming Lake, making it a popular spot for photography and tourism. However, the coastline is frequently affected by ocean currents and tides, causing debris such as bamboo oyster racks used in aquaculture, polystyrene foam, and a variety of plastic products and single-use beverage containers, including cups, PET bottles, glass bottles, aluminum pouches, straws, and bottle caps, to accumulate and pollute the beach.

In response to the significant increase in debris accumulation at the sandbar and beach areas brought by Typhoon Doksuri and the subsequent strong southwest monsoon waves, TJNP immediately initiated a cleanup operation after the typhoon. In addition to the daily deployment of seven cleaning staff to the Wangzailiao Sandbar, TJNP urgently allocated nearly NT$2 million to outsource the cleanup work for the northern end of Xinfulun Sandbar and the coastal areas of Annan District. To date, 21 tons of debris have been cleared, and TJNP is seeking an additional NT$10 million to continue coastal cleanup efforts. Director Hsieh Wei-Song of TJNP emphasized that the “Tribute to the Ocean” policy focuses on four key areas, with “Clean the Sea” as the top priority. Cleanup efforts include regular, immediate, and emergency cleanups. Since the program began in 2020, TJNP has cleared a total of 1,313 tons of debris, of which approximately 11% is recyclable, 26% is non-recyclable, and 63% consists of driftwood and bamboo. Director Hsieh urged the public to adopt more reusable products and reduce plastic usage in daily life as a meaningful step toward environmental responsibility.

This beach cleanup activity involved not only TJNP staff and volunteers but also local organizations, including the Qigu District Office of Tainan City, the Southwest Coast National Scenic Area Headquarters of the Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the Seventh Division of the Seventh Special Police Corps from the Ministry of the Interior, the First Coastal Patrol Unit of the Coast Guard Administration’s Southern Branch, ECOVE Environment Services Corporation, as well as community members and local businesses. Nearly 100 people participated in the cleanup of the sandbar and dunes, collecting approximately 500 kilograms of debris. Through the combined efforts of the local community, this collaborative action fulfilled social responsibility and environmental sustainability goals, restoring a healthy marine and beach environment. Visitors to Ding-Tou-Er-Shan Sandbar can now once again enjoy its pristine, breathtaking sand dunes, perfect for capturing beautiful photos from every angle.