How to establish a sustainable sea area governance mechanism? The case of marine waste

ABSTRACT

This study was to explore the data of Kinmen (in Taiwan) and Xiamen (in China) Governments regarding the cleaning of marine waste, and the difference in distribution areas according to the monsoon, ocean current and tides, in order to understand the correlation between the marine waste in the Kinmen and Xiamen sea area, and establish a transboundary marine governance mechanism for the Kinmen and Xiamen sea area. For the purpose of this study, relevant literatures of marine waste and marine spatial planning (MSP) were reviewed, followed by the analysis of relevant data of marine waste in the Kinmen and Xiamen sea area. Additionally, in-depth interviews, field investigations, and expert opinions collection were applied, in order to obtain the research implication and draft the frame and practical approach of the ‘Kinmen and Xiamen Marine Spatial Planning’. Relevant studies found that 90% of Kinmen marine waste came from Mainland China, and Jiulong River is regarded as the largest source of pollution in the Kinmen and Xiamen sea area. Monsoons and tides are the main factors affecting the washing of marine waste to Kinmen beaches. In addition, the effectiveness of remediating marine waste in Kinmen sea area alone is limited and the coordinated mechanism of the Kinmen and Xiamen sea area that has not been institutionalized is the major reason. If the local governments of Kinmen and Xiamen establish a joint remediation of marine waste based on the existing cooperation, it could develop a new paragon in marine governance between Kinmen and Xiamen.

KEYWORDS:

• Marine waste
• marine spatial planning
• transboundary marine governance
• ecosystem-based management
• Kinmen and Xiamen sea area

Acknowledgments

We thank the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan for their assistance in our research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

For research articles with several authors, a short paragraph specifying their individual contributions must be provided. The following statements should be used “Conceptualization, Kao JC, Ma HY, and Kao RH; Methodology and Software, Kao JC; Validation, Ma HY, and Kao RH; Formal Analysis, Kao RH; Investigation, Kao JC; Resources, Ma HY.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1. The ‘Mini Three Links’ is a mini three link model implemented in Xiamen and Kinmen between Mainland China and Taiwan, and has started since 2 January 2001. The main purpose was to conduct small scale trading, navigation (sea freight only without air freight), and postal service. Previously, the cross-strait people were unable to communicate in any way (Lin et al. Lin, et al., 2016).