Environmental Impacts of Illegal Fishing and Enforcement Responses in Taiwan

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing poses significant threats to marine ecosystems and sustainable fisheries management worldwide. As one of the world's leading fishing nations, Taiwan faces challenges addressing IUU fishing and its environmental impacts. Especially after the EU's yellow card warning was lifted. This research aims to examine the environmental impacts of IUU fishing in Taiwan, explore enforcement challenges and policy responses, and propose future directions for addressing this issue. A systematic review of literature from academic journals, government reports, and international organizations was conducted to analyze the environmental repercussions of IUU fishing in Taiwan, enforcement challenges, and circular economy initiatives. The study reveals that IUU fishing in Taiwan leads to biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and economic harm. Enforcement challenges include monitoring vast territorial waters and addressing labor abuses. Circular economy efforts, such as gear marking and buy-back programs, show promise in mitigating environmental impacts. This research concluded that effective enforcement, international collaboration, and promoting circular economy initiatives are essential for addressing IUU fishing's environmental impacts in Taiwan. Future efforts should focus on enhancing enforcement mechanisms, integrating environmental protection with labor rights, and advocating global marine conservation.