Article: Combating illegal sand pumping: enforcement challenges and policy mechanisms in Taiwan's EEZ Journal: International Journal of Environment and Pollution (IJEP) 2025 Vol.75 No.4 pp.319 - 337 Abstract: In Taiwan, the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which overlaps with those of neighbouring coastal countries, has become a hotspot for illegal sand pumping by cross-border fleets. These activities have drawn significant criticism from the public and media for contributing to weaknesses in marine law enforcement, environmental degradation, and habitat destruction. In response, legislative, administrative, and civil society actors have demanded stronger enforcement and effective countermeasures - including legal reforms, enhanced marine resource conservation, and increased enforcement to demonstrate the Taiwanese government's commitment. This study evaluates Taiwan's inter-ministerial coordination strategies and proposes enforcement and management recommendations based on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) and fishbone diagram analyses. The findings aim to inform future research and policy efforts, both domestically and in similarly affected coastal states. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Combating illegal sand pumping: enforcement challenges and policy mechanisms in Taiwan's EEZ

Authors: Chiao-Ling Chen; Yi-Che Shih

Addresses: Coast Guard Administration, Ocean Affairs Council, Taipei, 116, Taiwan, China ' Institute of Ocean Technology and Marine Affairs, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan, China

Abstract: In Taiwan, the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which overlaps with those of neighbouring coastal countries, has become a hotspot for illegal sand pumping by cross-border fleets. These activities have drawn significant criticism from the public and media for contributing to weaknesses in marine law enforcement, environmental degradation, and habitat destruction. In response, legislative, administrative, and civil society actors have demanded stronger enforcement and effective countermeasures - including legal reforms, enhanced marine resource conservation, and increased enforcement to demonstrate the Taiwanese government's commitment. This study evaluates Taiwan's inter-ministerial coordination strategies and proposes enforcement and management recommendations based on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) and fishbone diagram analyses. The findings aim to inform future research and policy efforts, both domestically and in similarly affected coastal states.

Keywords: law enforcement; SWOT; strengths; weaknesses; opportunities; threats; sand pumping; EEZ; exclusive economic zone; Taiwan.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2025.150935

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2025 Vol.75 No.4, pp.319 - 337

Received: 12 Mar 2025
Accepted: 18 Sep 2025
Published online: 05 Jan 2026 *

Title: Combating illegal sand pumping: enforcement challenges and policy mechanisms in Taiwan's EEZ

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