Abstract
Taiwan’s offshore wind power plan, launched in 2012, has raised concerns about the impact of underwater noise on marine ecosystems, particularly cetaceans. However, despite the implementation of marine mammal observer systems worldwide, Taiwan’s Cetacean Observer system lacks comprehensive regulation, training, and vocational support. To address this gap, a comparative analysis of international marine mammal observer frameworks was conducted, relevant literature was reviewed, and in-depth interviews were conducted with seven stakeholders, including Taiwan’s Cetacean Observers, contractors, and marine experts. Four key problem areas were identified through thematic analysis: limited supervision of maritime construction, inadequate training curricula, unstable Taiwan’s Cetacean Observer employment and career development paths, and poor integration of cross-department resources. Based on these findings, it is recommended that regulatory supervision be strengthened, establishing a standardized, level-based training and re-certification system, lowering barriers to entry, and developing a one-stop integration platform to improve Taiwan’s Cetacean Observer effectiveness and marine conservation outcomes. These practical implications provide a roadmap for optimizing Taiwan’s Cetacean Observer system and mitigating impact of underwater noise.