Taiwan, Taixi Mailiao

The Sixth Naphtha Cracker of Formosa Plastics has drastically changed the health of the community and the ocean, leaving fishermen having to adapt to a very different terrain.

Overview

Taiwan, Taixi Mailiao

In the Taixi and Mailiao Townships, near the Sixth Naphtha Cracker of Formosa Plastics, many members of the community fish. The native fishermen have seen changes in the ocean since the Naphtha Cracker began operating. The community faces many problems because of the petrochemical site: from water deprivation and air pollution, to frequent accidents in the factories. Cancer rates in the community run high. However the petrochemical industry has also brought about economic growth and residents don’t want to be labeled as living in a polluted area.

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Community Stories

Taiwan, Taixi Mailiao

Coastline

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Rong-Nan Wei

A local fisherman, shows the lost coastline to the Sixth Naphtha Cracker Complex.

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Local Fisherman

Rong Nan Wei

Speaks of the low yield and how he has to travel further out to fish.

Taiwan, Taixi Mailiao

Cancer

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Mrs Shu-Feng Chang

Her husband died of lung cancer 11 years ago. She is one of the plaintiffs that sued Formosa Plastics for air pollution.

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Professor

Yuan-He Huang

Says that he realized something was wrong when he saw so many funeral ceremonies in his village. There are no statistics since families rarely declare that their family member died of cancer.