Exploring Stakeholders' Attitude Towards the Conservation and Management Regime of Chinese White Dolphin in Taiwan

• Main Authors: Chih-HaoChan, 詹至皓
• Other Authors: Ta-Kang Liu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/90488124102641195924

碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 海洋科技與事務研究所 === 100 === The abundance of eastern Taiwan Strait subpopulation (EST) of Chinese white dolphin was estimated to be less than 90 individuals. This species is categorized as critically endangered in the IUCN Red list of threatened species, thus immediate measures of protection should be taken to prevent them from extinction in Taiwan. Currently, the government plans to designate this area as important habitat for conservation of the species, which will affect the original marine use and cause conflicts among multiple stakeholders with competing interests. The study is to explore the attitude among the stakeholders and propose a management measures to alleviate the conflicts. This study employs a semi-structured interview and a questionnaire survey of local fishermen. The interview is intended to explore various stakeholders’ perceptions and response regarding the designation of protection area for conservation of Chinese white dolphin. Based on the findings of the interviews, a questionnaire was designed to discuss factors regarding the designation of important habitat for conservation of the Chinese white dolphin. Results from interviews indicated that the subsistence of fishermen remians a major problem. It was found that stakeholders have different perceptions of the fishermen’s attitude towards conservation and also thought that enforcement of illegal fishing is controversial. Quantitative research showed that fishermen are generally positive with the conservation of Chinese white dolphin but are less willing to participate in the planning process. Most fishermen considered temporary fishing closure is feasible for the conservation but were not confident with the enforcement of such measures. Further comparison showed that fishermen using different fishing gears may have different perspectives towards the restriction on the use of driftnet and their participation in the conservation of Chinese White Dolphin. This study also reviewed the current status for the planning of important habitat of Chinese White Dolphin in Taiwan and gave recommendations for future efforts in the goal for better conservation for this endangered species.