Planning a marine protected area at Chinwan, Penghu, Taiwan

Historically, martial law in Taiwan severely restricted access to and use of coastal areas. Since the martial law was lifted in 1987, the government has permitted more than 80 development projects in coastal areas throughout Taiwan. However, rapid growth and overexploitation have led to significant degradation of oceanic and coastal environments. To protect and sustain marine ecosystem functions, species, and habitats, proactive conservation measures are needed. One of the most effective measures is the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs). In this paper, we introduce the current situation of protected areas in Taiwan. We then discuss the general concepts of MPAs, describe the characteristics of Chinwan in the Penghu archipelago, and conclude with lessons learned from the attempt to establish an MPA at Chinwan.