Kenting authorities investigate suspected coral harvesting

墾丁當局調查疑似盜採珊瑚事件

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Authorities are investigating suspected illegal coral harvesting at a popular diving site in Kenting National Park after an instructor reported seeing a diver collecting coral underwater Wednesday.

The instructor, who was leading a diving group at the Hejie site on the Hengchun Peninsula, recorded the incident and submitted the footage to the Kenting National Park Administration as evidence, per UDN.

The instructor also posted an AI-enhanced image that appeared to show a diver near the reef carrying a net bag containing coral. He appealed to other divers and members of the public for help identifying the person through the diver’s air tank and other equipment.

The park administration said it received a report at about 9:50 a.m. Wednesday alleging that a diver was harvesting coral in waters about 20 meters south of Hejie. It immediately notified police and sent personnel to investigate, per TVBS.

However, several hours had passed since the reported incident, and officers found no illegal activity when they arrived.

After reviewing footage and images provided by the public, park officials said they could not initially determine whether the material clearly showed illegal coral harvesting. Police will investigate further using the footage.

Article 44 of Taiwan’s Fisheries Act allows authorities to restrict or prohibit the harvesting or handling of aquatic animals and plants. Violating such restrictions is punishable by up to three years in prison, criminal detention, or a fine of up to NT150,000(US4,700).

The Kenting National Park Administration also has separate regulations prohibiting people from picking up, collecting, selling, or displaying coral reef rocks and other specified natural specimens unless they can demonstrate that the items came from outside the park. The Interior Ministry revised the rules in July 2025.

The administration said it would increase patrols in the area. It urged local diving operators and enthusiasts to photograph or film suspected illegal activity and promptly report it to the park administration or the Seventh Special Police Corps.

Kenting’s coral reefs continue to face pressure from human activity and environmental change. The park administration’s long-term monitoring program describes them as among Taiwan’s best-developed fringing reef ecosystems and warns that physical disturbance can damage coral colonies and impede recovery.

Hejie is among the locations included in the administration’s underwater surveys of coral community health and coverage.