Abstract
Mainland China’s economy has been developing rapidly. Unfortunately, it has led to an increase in municipal and industrial waste, including in Xiamen, in which is has greatly increased. Kinmen is located outside the estuary of the Jiulong River in Fujian, Mainland China, opposite to Xiamen Bay. Whenever there is heavy rainfall, the waste that flows along the Jiulong River is incredible. Kinmen unavoidably has to bear the invasion of floating marine debris due to the effect of ocean currents, tides and monsoons. It does not only pollute the Kinmen sea area, but it also affects the scenery of the beaches in Kinmen. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the data of Kinmen and Xiamen governments regarding the cleaning of floating marine debris, and the differences in distribution areas according to the monsoon, ocean current and tides. In-depth interviews, field investigation, and collection of expert opinions were applied in order to determine the research implication. The results of this study provide information on the marine issues encountered in the governance of the countries surrounding the sea. The study suggests that the transboundary marine governance mechanism should be established in order to effectively solve the problem of floating marine debris in Kinmen–Xiamen Waters. For the welfare of the people, it is expected that the governments of Mainland China and Taiwan will uphold the principle of “pragmatism and reciprocity” by working together to maintain the marine environment in Kinmen–Xiamen waters.
Highlights
Most marine debris includes plastic, wood, containers and fishing equipment that floats on the sea or sinks to the seabed for a long time [1].Marine debris is considered to have a high impact on ecosystems, human health, and the economy, and it is one of the most worrying global environmental issues of today [2]
When there is heavy rainfall, the waste that flows along with Jiulong River is incredible, such that Kinmen unavoidably has to bear the invasion of floating marine debris due to the effect of ocean currents, tides and monsoons
Based on the information gathered from literature review, field surveys, and expert opinion surveys, this study has developed an interview outline of “Transboundary Governance of Kinmen–Xiamen Waters for Floating Marine Debris”
Summary
Most marine debris includes plastic, wood, containers and fishing equipment (such as gear, nets, fishing lines, floats) that floats on the sea or sinks to the seabed for a long time [1].Marine debris is considered to have a high impact on ecosystems, human health, and the economy, and it is one of the most worrying global environmental issues of today [2]. There has been rapid development in the economy of Mainland China, and the municipal and industrial wastes in Xiamen have greatly increased. Kinmen is located outside the estuary of the Jiulong River in Fujian, Mainland China, and opposite to Xiamen Bay. When there is heavy rainfall, the waste that flows along with Jiulong River is incredible, such that Kinmen unavoidably has to bear the invasion of floating marine debris due to the effect of ocean currents, tides and monsoons. Since 1949, Kinmen and Xiamen have belonged to Taiwan and China. They govern and use “their own half” of the Kinmen–Xiamen Waters based on a tacit understanding, since seawater has no boundary. As the geographic relationship is unchangeable (as shown in Figure 1), issues such as floating marine debris, marine environment and ecological conservation faced by Kinmen should be resolved completely in cooperation with Xiamen
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