Environmental Groups Protest Coral Siltation from Third LNG Terminal; MOEA Promises Response Within a Week

On the morning of November 10, environmental groups staged a protest at the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), claiming that the construction of CPC Corporation's Third LNG Terminal has led to severe silt accumulation across the Datan Algal Reef, covering protected Polycyathus chiashanensis corals under mud. Citing severe ecological damage, the groups demanded that the ministry address the impacts, evaluate suspending construction of the south breakwater, and convene a coordination meeting. A representative from the MOEA's Department of State-owned Enterprises responded that the groups' demands have been forwarded for internal deliberation, committing to provide an answer regarding coordination meetings and subsequent actions within one week.

Key takeaways

• Environmental groups reported finding Polycyathus chiashanensis corals buried under silt during a late-October site inspection of the terminal's G2 area, alleging terminal works caused significant reef coverage drops.
• Activists contested assertions linking coral decline primarily to seawater warming, demanding a suspension of south breakwater construction and a reassessment of ecological impacts.
• An MOEA Department of State-owned Enterprises official received the petition, pledging to report the issue upward and provide a formal response within a week regarding whether to hold a coordination meeting.