Implications and Lessons Learnt from Taiwan Marine Biodiversity Governance Transformation

Abstract

Conserving marine biodiversity is increasingly recognized as a global obligation, yet natural resource-based development has long been central to economic growth. Taiwan, a major marine user and fishing entity, adopted the Marine Conservation Act (MCA) in July 2024 by integrating 90 years of Taiwan's area-based management tools with new conservation measures. It marks a transformative journey toward marine conservation. This study delves into the factors driving this change and assesses the implications of the MCA on marine protected area (MPA) governance by examining the development and assessment of core legislations for area-based marine resource management, and analyzing the MCA provisions to investigate its impacts. The findings reveal that international events often were key drivers of law-making. Taiwan's practice represents a pragmatic approach that leverages global conservation events and goals and partially aligns with international MPA frameworks and the other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) discussions to addressing complexities of sustainable use and strengthening marine biodiversity policies. This study contributes to understanding the complex interplay between marine conservation and development, offering valuable insights for policymakers and marine conservation practitioners worldwide.