A Study on Influence of Illegal Sand Mining on Coastal Marine Environments- The Kinmen, Taiwan and Xiamen, Mainland China
Cheng-Chung Cho, Nein-Tsu Chiang, Rui-Hsin Kao, Cheng-Chung Wu

Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of sand mining on Kinmen coastline, marine ecosystems and maritime security. It evaluated the impacts of mainland China vessels engaging in illegal sand mining beyond boundary limits in the sea area between Kinmen and Xiamen by literature review, deep interviews, field surveys and expert opinions. It is expected that through this research, we can find a way to remedy and prevent the issue of Kinmen coastline deterioration, maintain marine ecosystems and maritime security. Moreover, since Kinmen, Xiamen, Zhangzhou and Guangzhou are in the same sea area, developing a mechanism which manages the sea area between Kinmen and Xiamen together, in order to efficiently protect the sea area between Kinmen and Xiamen is also of interest in this study. In summary, the present study plans to use the findings to draft a solution for the current status, as well as advocate for the “Space Planning of Greater Kinmen and Xiamen Waters” to set an administrative system for the sea area between Kinmen and Xiamen which is collaboratively governed by local governments of “Kinmen, Xiamen, Zhangzhou and Quanzhou”.

Full Text: PDF