Research on the Transformation in Taiwan Fishing Ports: A Case Study of Keelung City

Abstract

Taiwan is a fisheries dominant country. However, due to the changes in the natural environment and over-fishing in recent years, fisheries resources have depleted and the development of the traditional fisheries is limited, which have caused problems, such as the gradual decreases in the number of the fishing boats in Taiwan, the reduced use rate of fishing ports, and space in fishing ports being left unused. Nowadays, because the concept of marine conservation rises in the world, all countries are starting to emphasize recreational fisheries, ocean recreation, and leisure activities, and the direction of utilizing and developing fishing ports is also being adjusted along with the trend. With an excessive number of fishing ports in Taiwan, the government has actively adjusted the fishing ports to be utilized in diverse ways during the past few years. The purpose of this study was to upgrade fishing ports to the ports with multiple functions. In this research, through the 3 phases and 8 function types of diversified development process, fishing ports are classified into different types of functions. We propose the transformation of the fishing port requires both correct timing and principles depending on their function types. Based on the findings, it is suggested that Taiwan not have any new ports built in the future, but rather conduct functional adjustment and improvement of facilities, focusing on the existing fishing ports. With different sizes, internal conditions, and external conditions, each fishing port has its own function type that is suitable for the development. In a case study based on 7 fishing ports of Keelung City, the government could conduct maintenance on the Waimushan, Zhengbin and Badouzi fishing ports with high traditional function effects, coordinate with the Dawulun, Badouzi and Changtangli fishing ports that are suitable for developing tourism, and abandoning the ineffective Wanghaishein fishing ports to retrieve the natural scenery of the coasts.