Drones have become a common tool across all sectors and for daily life, as well as for recreational and entertainment purposes. However, there are risks involved in the operation of drones, and they can cause a certain amount of interference to living creatures, residents, and visitors. To protect the ecological environment and recreational safety of the South Penghu islands, the Marine National Park Headquarters (MNPH) has added a new prohibition - "The operation of drones without the permission of the MNPH is prohibited", to the Prohibited Activities Regulations in the Domain of South Penghu Marine National Park. In addition to abiding by the Civil Aviation Act, the public is required to apply for a permit with the MNPH to film in the National Park if they have aerial photography needs.
Abide by the National Park Regulations and Civil Aviation Act when Operating Drones
For members of the public planning to go to the South Penghu islands to take aerial images, please submit an application to the MNPH 10 working days before the filming date, the maximum period of filming that can be applied for is 2 months (the filming period can be extended if it’s for commissioned filming, or research and monitoring). Before the actual implementation of aerial photography operations, please sign in by e-mail to Dongji Management Station of the MNPH, in order to facilitate communication when necessary. The relevant forms can be downloaded from the MNPH website (https://www.marine.gov.tw).
As the Civil Aviation Act has specific regulations for drones, the operation of drones must comply with the law and its relevant regulations. Since certain parts of the South Penghu area fall within the no-fly zone (for detailed information, please visit the Drone Management Information System at https://drone.caa.gov.tw/), permission from the Civil Aeronautics Administration must be obtained to operate drones in these airspace, before submitting an aerial photography application with the MNPH.
Operate with Care and Respect for Safety and Enjoyment
Due to the strong sea winds and the steep vertical terrain of the basalt mesa in South Penghu, which may obscure the drone signal links, members of the public should operate the drone carefully and take note of the altitude, wind speed, signal strength, and airspeed. Please do not engage in high-risk behaviors such as racing, interfering with the natural environment, affecting the safety of residents or visitors, flying over crowds, or making noise. If you cause injury to people or damage to facilities, property, resources, or the ecosystem, it would take away the value of the activity. Please do not fly drones into the Blue Cave of Xiji Island, or engage in inappropriate behavior, such as disturbing birds. In summer, please respect the local wildlife and do not fly near tern breeding grounds, such as Steeple Islet and Tiejhen Islet. If the filming location involves other government agency locations, private residences, and business facilities, please respect the rights of others and contact the related parties before filming. In the event that the filming area is closed for any reason, please respect yourself and make sure to adhere to the application plan by following the control measures and cooperating with the instructions of the on-site management personnel.
Use Aerial Photography Tools Properly and Maintain Resources and Landscape Sustainability
The use of drones in environmental monitoring, spatial information, photography and recording, disaster response, etc. is becoming more and more common. The operation of such a convenient and powerful tool requires safety and ethical risk considerations. With Taiwan's domestic management measures becoming more stringent in line with the international trend, national parks are tasked with ecological conservation and environmental education. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the rules of the national parks to match the overall policy. In order to protect the natural resources, ecological environment, and traditional settlements of the South Penghu islands, the MNPH will restrict the application of drone activities at its discretion. The cooperation of drone owners will be much appreciated. Let us all work together to maintain the environmental quality of South Penghu.
