The Potential Compatibility of Designating Offshore Wind Farms within Wider Marine Protected Areas—Conservation of the Chinese White Dolphin Regarding Fishers’ Perception

Abstract

The population of the Chinese white dolphin along Taiwan’s west coast is under a range of threats. The designation of marine protected areas (MPA) is urgently required for their protection. However, conflicts between specific species conservation and fishing rights mean that the success of such a designation relies on the fishers’ perceptions and awareness of an MPA. Designating offshore wind farms within MPAs can be a mechanism for minimizing conflicts between fisheries and conservation. The purpose of this study is to examine the potential for designating an offshore wind farm within an MPA for Chinese white dolphin conservation by exploring the attitudes of local fishers. This study used face-to-face questionnaires. The results show that the main challenges are conflicts of interest, insufficient science-based information, and inadequate law enforcement. Offshore wind farms could be a way to maximize the benefits for different stakeholders and positively impact the marine environment and ecosystem. This study makes feasible recommendations on how to improve conservation, promote renewable energy, and encourage sustainable fisheries.

Spatial Conflict Analysis for Site Selection of Offshore Wind Farms: An Example from the Jeolla Province, South Korea

“…Like other regions, various marine activities are carried out in the coastal space of Jeolla Province, which has many tidal flats and ecological habitats with high environmental preservation values (Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, 2022). In particular, development plans (e.g., offshore wind power) near MPAs, such as tidal flats and habitats, require careful consideration and sufficient discussion with stakeholders in advance (Jhan et al, 2022;Kim, Jang, and Kim, 2018). Therefore, consultations with related agencies (e.g., the Ministry of the Environment) should precede the establishment of a new development plan, including OWFs.…”