The strong Kuroshio Current brings warm water from the equator of the Pacific Ocean northward to Taiwan. The rich nutrients in the warm water attract fish, which in turn draw various dolphins and whales. We will take a whale-watching boat out to sea and, with the captain’s keen eyesight, look for dolphins and whales feeding, playing, and socializing offshore.

The coast of Hualien has a unique topography. The seabed drops to a depth of a thousand meters just a hundred meters offshore. This special landscape has led to the development of a traditional fishing method known as fixed nets. In the past, this method was considered inefficient. However, in the 21st century, with a growing focus on ecological sustainability, it has garnered renewed attention. We will gain an in-depth understanding of these fixed fishing grounds and sample the local seafood.

** **Lunch will primarily consist of seafood. If you have any dietary restrictions, please inform us in advance.

09:00 Meet and greet at Donghua University

09:40 Take a private car to Hualien Port Whale Watching Pier, board a whale watching boat, and go out to sea to look for whales.

12:00 Return to Hualien Port and enjoy local food.

13:00 Get to know Qixingtan Fishing Village

14:00 Fish identification and fish-eating culture in fixed fisheries

15:45 Return to Donghua

16:30 Return to Donghua University