South Penghu Marine

South Penghu Marine National Park lies in the south of the Penghu Islands in Wangan Township and covers about 358.44 km2, of which 354.73 km2 is water and 3.70 km2 land. It was established on 8 June 2014 and opened on 18 October 2014^[1].

Surveys have recorded 254 fish species, including 28 newly discovered species, and 154 coral species. Migratory terns visit the islands, and small numbers of dolphins and smaller whales have recently returned to the waters^[1]. Part of the warm Kuroshio Current flows to Penghu and supports its marine life^[1].

The islands are low and exposed, and aquatic plants are the only plant life the available description names^[1].

The islands are basalt landforms, including columnar basalt. The Penghu Columnar Basalt Nature Reserve, set up in 2008, covers Dongjiyu, Xijiyu and a few smaller islands^[1].

The southern waters lie at a lower latitude than the rest of Penghu and stay warmer; a cold spell in 2008 that killed much marine life in Penghu affected this area less^[1].

Thousands of people once lived on these islands, but limited transport and jobs have cut the population to roughly 50. Abandoned houses, a few temples and stone walls called cai zhai, which sheltered vegetables from the wind, remain, and a lighthouse stands on Dongjiyu^[1].

The park is managed by the Marine National Park Headquarters under the National Park Service, Ministry of the Interior, and is classed as IUCN Category II^[1]. It includes Dongjiyu, Xijiyu, Dongyupingyu, Xiyupingyu and several smaller islets^[1].

The Blue Cave, a sea cave on Xijiyu, is the main named attraction, alongside the columnar basalt cliffs and coral reefs^[1].

The park is reached by sea from Penghu. It recorded 8,403 visitors in 2017^[1].

Fishing is restricted in parts of the park. Since 2010, park staff and partner organisations have surveyed coral reefs and removed crown-of-thorns starfish, which eat coral; no large populations were found in 2014 or 2015^[1].