The Breathtaking Coral Reef in Penghu South Islands

Affected by bathyorographical terrain, tides and currents, the ocean around South Penghu Four Islands has a significant upwelling effect. Corals grow well in South Penghu. Abnormal climates and ocean warming have less impact on the national park. The coral annual health checkup shows good coral coverage on all islands: 65.32% in Dongyupingyu; 80.94% in Xiyupingyu, 86.25% in Dongjiyu and 59.38% in Xijiyu. This year, the headquarters also inspected the Chutou Islet (鋤頭), Tiezhen Island (鐵砧), and Bell Islet (鐘仔). These smaller islets are covered with basalt gravel underwater. Although the substrate conditions are not suitable for corals, the coverage can still reach 30-40%. The results indicate that South Penghu Four Islands have excellent ocean environment for growing a vitality of corals.

Cross-discipline Conservation

Recent investigations indicates that seawater temperatures occasionally increase abnormally due to climate change. Some sensitive corals often bleach and die. When algae invade ocean habitats in large numbers, making the condition for coral growth even more harsher. The headquarters have been practicing coral conservation in Dongsha since 2012. In 2013, the headquarters also cooperated with National Sun Yat-sen University and Penghu Marine Life Propagation Station to rehabilitate algivore organisms. The project has been carried out successfully in recent years. We successfully bred Tridacna spp. and Trochus niloticus maximus and released them into Dongsha and South Penghu Four Islands. Marine conservation is not an overnight success. On the contrary, it takes long-term management to succeed. The headquarters also hope by managing national parks, people can achieve the goal of sustainable ocean development.