東沙群島，係由東沙環礁及北衛灘和南衛灘兩個珊瑚礁群共同組成，為台灣唯一且完整的環礁所形成之島礁群。其中，終年裸露海平面的島嶼稱之東沙島。由於該群島位居南中國海北端，其地理位置所帶來特殊之物理及化學環境條件，促成該群島具有高生物多樣性及高豐度之海洋生態系統。是故，該區域一直為我國漁民傳統作業的重要漁場之一。就人文及社經環境而言，該群島亦具有交通樞紐及軍事國防的價值。

然而，近十餘年來，該區域海洋生態系遭遇重大浩劫。過度與不當的人為使用，如過漁、毒魚、炸魚等，以及每年近七千餘艘非法漁船進出該一海域，使得當地珊瑚覆蓋率鋭減，魚類及其他海洋生物亦大量減少。東沙群島所面臨之問題，學者早於二十幾年前已呼籲重視，直至今年，高雄市政府始提出禁漁區之劃設。雖然該一作為略微遲緩，但已然代表國內外關心海洋環境之民間與官方努力推動的表徵，意義重大。由於各界呼籲政府設置東沙群島海洋保護區之努力不遺餘力，國內海洋保育觀念亦逐漸普及，因此大幅提升了該群島設置海洋保護區之可能性。

本研究基於東沙群島將設置海洋保護區，著手研究其規劃與法規層面之基本策略。海洋保護區設置之目的，在為積極保育、保護及復育該區域之生物多樣性及棲地，同時有效管理人為使用程度。在其設置之初步規劃過程中，須參照台灣現有法規，如國家公園法、野生動物保育法、文化資產保存法、漁業法等本研究並根據時效性、執法能力、法令位階等因子，分析適當形式之海洋保護區，並研擬可行策略提供決策者參考。此外，除提出政府設置、管理保護區之方案外，亦考慮了與民間共同經營管理之可能性。

The Dongsha Islands, a group of remote islands under Taiwan's jurisdiction, consist of Dongsha Atoll (the only atoll in Taiwan) and North Vereker Bank and South Vereker Bank (two coral reef groups). Dongsha Island is the only terrestrial portion of the islands. Owing to its location in the northern part of the South China Sea, the physical and chemical conditions fostered the formerly abundant marine and coastal biota of this region. This area is one of Taiwan's traditional fishing grounds. The islands are also located near the major sea route connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

However, due to improper fishing practices and the development of fishing facilities, the marine biota and habitats have been depleted in recent decades to the point of being threatened with extinction. These improper and excessive human activities/uses within the waters of the Dongsha Islands are threatening its ecosystems and resources through unsustainable exploitation and depletion.

The current situation of the Dongsha Islands illustrates the difficulties of protecting the marine ecosystems of remote islands where the presence of law enforcement is not particularly in evidence. Even if the Kaohsiung City Government were to designate the Dongsha Islands a “no-fishing zone”, further steps, i.e., the planning and management of marine protected areas for example, would still require in-depth considerations and discussion.

This study focuses on several aspects, including the planning process of developing the management plan, the legal and administrative framework of the management plan and associated action plans, and a model outline for developing the management plan and action plans. Following the results/guidelines are suggestions for further study.

Abstract
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Abbreviations
I. Introduction
II. Conceptual Framework
III. Dongsha Islands
IV. Legal and Planning Analysis
V. Conclusion and further study
Reference
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