Kenting National Park is home to a protected coral reef which draws crowds of scuba divers every year. One of the biggest draws is a giant clam. But that clam has gone missing and is presumed to have been stolen.
A wise fictional lobster once said “darling it’s better, down where it’s wetter.” That’s one of the reasons why Houbihu in Taiwan’s Kenting National Park is such a huge attraction. People love to scuba dive and explore the protected coral reef. Unfortunately, one of Houbihu’s biggest attractions -- a giant clam -- has gone missing.
This giant clam was the biggest in Houbihu. People flocked to see it, but now it’s gone. A local scuba instructor says that the clam was part of the local economy. Many people relied on the tourists it brought in for their livelihood.
This is not the only incident that Taiwanese conservationists are talking about. Scuba divers around the island have been caught touching turtles underwater, which counts as disturbing wildlife. The Coast Guard Administration says that touching turtles can result in either jail time or a hefty fine.
Taiwan has become more and more popular among scuba divers, but if people don’t exercise more caution, there won’t be much left to see.