The “Dongsha Atoll National Park Plan (First Comprehensive Review)” was approved by the Executive Yuan on January 22, 2014, and announced by the Ministry of the Interior on February 20, 2014. The plan came into effect on February 25, 2014. The plan documents and maps are available for public viewing at the Kaohsiung City Government, the Cijin District Office of Kaohsiung City, and the Marine National Park Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as MNPH).
Dongsha Atoll National Park is Taiwan’s seventh national park, located approximately 240 nautical miles southwest of Kaohsiung, covering an area of over 350,000 hectares. It is Taiwan’s first marine national park established primarily for the protection of coral reef ecosystems, officially designated on January 17, 2007. In order to align the plan with the medium- and long-term development framework and vision of national parks, the first comprehensive review was conducted in accordance with Article 6 of the Enforcement Rules of the National Park Act. The overall vision of this review is “Sustainable Marine Ecosystems and a Model for Marine Conservation and Research in the South China Sea.” The short-term objectives include strengthening environmental resource conservation and restoration, deepening marine academic research, and promoting diversified environmental education activities. Under the principles of safeguarding core resources, enhancing effective management, and fostering cross-sector collaboration, this review approved one amendment to the total planning area, six zoning adjustments, and revisions to the principles governing protection and utilization controls.
The zoning adjustments in this comprehensive review were based on accumulated research findings, agency recommendations, and MNPH’s management needs. The revisions include expanding the Historic Preservation Area on Dongsha Island; adjusting the boundaries of the Marine General Control Zone and Marine Special Scenic Zone along Dongsha Island’s coastline; and revising the scope of the Marine Special Scenic Zone (Type II) in the northern and southern channels and surrounding waters of Dongsha Island, as well as the Atoll Marine Ecological Protection Zone. The revisions to the protection and utilization control principles primarily focus on safeguarding marine environmental resources and preserving historical and cultural values, while also updating regulatory provisions and adding supporting measures for resource protection. MNPH will implement follow-up actions in accordance with this comprehensive review and actively strengthen cooperation with relevant marine affairs and research institutions to enhance the future management effectiveness of the park.
The official announcement documents of this comprehensive review are also available on the MNPH website (https://www.marine.gov.tw/) under “Information Disclosure – Government Information Disclosure – Administrative Plans – Comprehensive Review.” Interested members of the public are welcome to visit the website to view or download the documents at any time.
Official announcement letter issued by the Ministry of the Interior on February 20, 2014