Designation processes for marine protected areas in the coastal wetlands of South Korea

The conservation value of the Shinan Tidal Flat in Korea: a contingent valuation study

“…Economically, it is regarded as not only a fishery production area for indigenous people but also a national heritage which is rare worldwide and of global importance. However, it has a long history of intensive human use through reclamation for agriculture and some industrial uses during the twentieth century (Nam et al 2010).…”

“…There are four periods during which the Korean tidal flat was used differently (Nam et al 2010). During the period from 1910 to 1945, called the Japanese occupation period, the conversion of the tidal flat into rice fields led to the growth of rice production, which helped maintain the military.…”

“…Especially noteworthy, the Korean government allocated about 18% of its investment funds to agriculture, mainly on tidal flat reclamations and irrigation system improvements in the early 1970s (Hong 1995). On the other hand, large-scale reclamations were politically promoted without a consideration of environmental protection during the third period (Nam et al 2010).…”

“…There had been some conflicts about Jeungdo CWPA until 2010. As Jeungdo CWPA was designated, the local government of Shinan made a promise to protect the remaining tidal flat (Nam et al 2010). Though the promise has been kept until now, it could be broken by the local government at anytime.…”

“…However, Korea has witnessed some drawbacks to such activities: environmental pollution, the destruction of ecosystems, and environmental degradation depriving wildlife such as waterfowl of their habitats (which is the original purpose of the Ramsar Convention). Realizing the worldwide effort to preserve valuable ecosystems, the Korean government has changed their view of coastal wetlands, including tidal flats (Nam et al 2010). These areas are no longer viewed as useless; they are viewed as beautiful and valuable places International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 55 that provide essential nutrients to ecosystems to make the environment richer.…”