Empowering Youth in Stone Weirs Restoration for Ensuring Ecological Connectivity of Penghu Seascapes (SEPLS)
摘要
The Penghu Islands possess rich marine life and a distinctive cultural heritage in the Taiwan Strait. Local governments and organizations are collaborating to restore sustainable practices in the area’s socio-ecological landscapes and seascapes, preserving traditions like stone weir fishing. This restoration is crucial for biodiversity, ecosystem services, and cultural heritage, with youth involvement ensuring its long-term success. Challenges like declining fish populations, silt accumulation, and coral reef degradation hinder the fishing function of the stone weirs. However, Penghu authorities recognize and promote the stone weirs’ diverse values, fostering ecological conservation and attracting young residents back to their hometowns. Initiatives promoting fish-eating culture, education, and tourism while preserving stone weirs have been implemented across communities like Hudong, Hongluo, and Nanliao. Stone weirs provide vital ecosystem services and support fishing villages along Penghu’s coasts. The Youth Guidance Policy encourages young people to participate in environmental protection and village preservation, which is crucial for the intertidal zone’s ecological, economic, and social landscape. A youth cooperation platform raises awareness and accelerates intertidal zone conservation. In contrast, cross-sectoral cooperation ensures a sustainable future for Penghu’s intertidal zone and stone weirs from ecological, economic, social, and cultural perspectives.