Guanxin algal reefs off northern Taiwan’s Taoyuan County will be declared a wildlife refuge April 15 to protect their abundant populations of marine species from pollution and other environmental threats, the Forestry Bureau under the ROC Council of Agriculture said.
“Guanxin reefs have great marine species diversity, including crabs, groupers, snails, snappers and tiger prawns,” Forestry Bureau Conservation Division head Kuan Li-hao said. “There are also many bird species, including Swinhoe’s egret and little egret.”
Kuan added that surveys have shown that the reefs are home to eight times and five times more species than Xiangshan Wetlands in Hsinchu County, northern Taiwan and Gaomei Wetlands in Taichung City, central Taiwan, respectively.
The refuge has an area of 396 hectares, of which 76 hectares form the core area, 101 hectares the buffer zone, and the remainder the sustainable use zone, Kuan said. The core area is off-limits, except for researchers who first obtain permission to enter. The buffer zone is open for environmental education and regular research purposes, while traditional fishing is allowed in the sustainable use zone.
Once the refuge has been set up, Taoyuan County Government will begin reef restoration in accordance with conservation programs to solve the structural pollution problem, the bureau said. If members of the public deliberately damage the coral or kill or capture wild animals within the protected area, they will be subject to prosecution under the Wildlife Conservation Act, which carries penalties of between six months and five years in prison, and fines of between NT$200,000 (US$6,580) and NT$1 million.
According to the bureau, nearby coastal community development associations and Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association, Taiwan participated in the review process and welcomed the establishment of the wildlife refuge, but also hope the area can be designated a nature reserve to afford it further protection. The bureau said a proposal has been made for a COA review board to decide. (SDH)