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06/04/2005: "SHARK POSTER ..........inspired by Chinese Taiwan"

At this time of year our northernTaiwanese neighbours celebrate ghost month where stage money is burned and food offerings are made to the ghosts or spirits of their ancestors.

Taiwanese are strangely fearful of the sea, believing spirits of drowned people will rise from the depths and pull new victims (swimming) to their doom. This small island off mainland China operates a huge far seas fleet of fishing factory ships and developes methods of processing every form of sea creature into edible food - even jellyfish. (Crown-of-Thorns starfish would be a challenge).

For any westerner, with more than a shallow interest in the sea curiosity of this culture is a window of opportunity, but not easily opened as little English language is in use - but that's changing fast.

Scuba diving and surfing are not a popular sports, yet, but that's changing with Japanese inspiration being such a strong influenece. The future of Taiwan effects Australian's more than most realise.