Blue economy based on local DNA in Taiwan: Marine regional revitalisation under the collaboration of the local and central government

Abstract

To tackle the problems of population reduction, population concentration in urban areas, and imbalance between urban and rural development, the Executive Yuan of Taiwan approved the National Strategic Plan on Regional Revitalisation, in which 2019 was declared as being the first year of regional revitalisation in Taiwan. The mechanism of regional revitalisation emphasises exploring local DNA, characterising resources, and clarifying industrial positioning. This revitalisation may promote the return of young people to the countryside and encourage the younger generation to take over traditional industry operations. Moreover, they can innovate the design to activate idle facilities to become a local characteristic field. This revitalisation will gradually attract talent and imbue local traditional industries with new kinetic energy. With regard to this study the authors adopt the analysis method, observation method, field research and interview method. For regional revitalisation in marine and coastal waters, the Ocean Affairs Council proposes the following strategies: establishing a public–private partnership platform for marine science and technology issues, training young marine talent, addressing the cultural heritage of marine aboriginal villages, and counselling local marine specialists. As a case study, this paper analyses the situation and the development of the marine leisure revitalisation industry in the local area of Kouhu Township in Yunlin County. Meanwhile, the work has found that successful regional revitalisation need to collaborate local governments and NGOs to make good use of local DNA and to create a blue economy in local areas.