Review and Strategy Development Plan for Taiwan's Marine Protected Areas

1. Commissioning Unit

Ocean Conservation Administration, Ocean Affairs Council

Execution Period

February 2020 – November 2020

3. Project Budget

NT$ 920,000

4. Project Overview

Taiwan is an island nation surrounded by the sea, with abundant marine resources that support food security, industrial development, and national security. Developing ocean-centered national policies is a key direction for sustainable development.

Internationally, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been widely established to conserve marine biodiversity and protect the ocean environment. In 2001, the Executive Yuan approved the "Biodiversity Promotion Plan", which set a goal to designate 5% of Taiwan’s maritime territory as MPAs.

In April 2001, the Fisheries Agency convened relevant government agencies to discuss the definition of MPAs, which was defined as:

"An area extending from the mean high tide line into the ocean, encompassing unique natural landscapes, significant cultural heritage, and ecological resources for sustainable use, which requires legal or other effective measures for protection and management."