2025-09-03

From lagoons to fishing ports, Professor Yi Chang of the Graduate Institute of Marine Affairs at National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) and his research team have spent years surveying thousands of kilometers of Taiwan's coastline. Their work has centered on revising marine protected areas (MPAs) management plans and promoting community-based, data-driven conservation governance. Their research successfully established a baseline population estimate for Taiwan's tri-spine horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus), a rare "living fossil" species. The team also played a key role in upgrading several MPAs. In recognition of these contributions, Professor Chang was awarded the Marine Conservation Contribution Role Model Award by Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council.

The tri-spine horseshoe crab is one of the most common large benthic arthropods in Taiwan. With a survival history spanning hundreds of millions of years, it is often referred to as a "living fossil" of the marine world, bearing significant ecological functions and cultural value. Due to the lack of research data in the past, the development of relevant conservation policies had long been hindered. According to Professor Chang, since 2021, his team has conducted fieldwork in Kinmen, Penghu, and Taiwan's main island, using mark-recapture studies to assess both adult and juvenile populations of T. tridentatus for the first time in Taiwan. By integrating seven years of data, they provided a preliminary estimate of approximately 46,000 adult individuals, a landmark achievement that produced the first representative population data for horseshoe crabs in Taiwan.

The research also marked the first genetic analysis of the species' diversity and population structure in Taiwan. Chang explained that the analysis showed no significant genetic differentiation among populations in Penghu, Kinmen, and Taiwan, indicating high gene flow. This suggests the populations can be managed as a single genetic unit in future conservation efforts. He further recommended that restocking programs prioritize breeding with local strains to preserve genetic independence and diversity. Chang also noted that juvenile horseshoe crab counts inside Kinmen's existing Guningtou Horseshoe Crab Conservation Zone (GHCZ) were significantly lower than those at the unprotected Wujiang River Estuary. He recommended redesigning or adjusting current protected area boundaries and fishing regulations. The study was recently published in the international journal Regional Studies in Marine Science, updating over a decade of horseshoe crab research in Taiwan and offering critical data for future IUCN assessments on the conservation status.

In addition to fundamental ecological studies, Professor Chang's team has been deeply engaged in policy reform for MPAs. Since 2018, his team has focused on the Changhua Shengang Mud Shrimp Breeding Conservation Area, discovering that habitat quality within the protected area had deteriorated due to the invasion of the non-native smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), causing the species to cluster outside the protected zone. In collaboration with Taiwan's Ocean Conservation Administration, they developed a customized evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness of MPAs, completing nationwide assessments of 45 MPAs under various legal jurisdictions by 2023. They also supported the revision of the management plan for Penghu's Qimei Aquatic Organisms Propagation and Conservation Zone (Qimei FCZ), introducing Taiwan's first zoning-based protection system. This included habitat restoration, patrolling measures, and a reclassification of areas from multi-use to no-take core zones and sustainable use zones. The total protected area was expanded from 4 to 6.6 hectares, and implementation relied on a community collaboration approach, significantly improving conservation outcomes.

Professor Chang emphasized that effective marine conservation must be grounded in a bottom-up participatory model. He stressed that the design and management of protected areas should not rely solely on top-down government decisions but must incorporate the voices of local fishers, residents, researchers, and authorities. Establishing co-management mechanisms is key to ensuring long-term policy sustainability and achieving prosperous coexistence with local communities. The community participation model in Qimei Conservation Zone was documented as an academic case study and published in 2024 in the international journal Ocean & Coastal Management, showcasing Taiwan's marine conservation practices to the global community.

The team's findings have gained international recognition. In 2024, Professor Chang was invited to present Taiwan's population survey results at the 5th International Workshop on the Science and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs hosted by the IUCN. He was also appointed to the IUCN Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group, contributing to global Red List and Green Status assessments. He is now recognized as one of Taiwan's few internationally influential experts in horseshoe crab conservation.

NSYSU noted that Professor Chang's research spans three major domains: scientific investigation, policy reform, and community engagement, bringing tangible advancements to marine conservation and governance in Taiwan. His recent award recognizes not only his academic excellence but also represents a paradigm shift in marine conservation from the lab to society.