Houbihu Model Marine Reserve is located in the Bashi Channel between Nanwan and Maobitou in Kenting National Park. It was established on March 3, 2005 to protect biodiversity and has an area of 180 hectares. It was originally intended to protect sea urchins but now protects all marine creatures.

The national park HQ commissioned the Taiwanese Coral Reef Society to carry out a resource survey in 2009. 366 species of fish in 47 families were recorded. If the fish species recorded near the third nuclear power plant water inlet and outlet are included, 381 species in 48 families were recorded. Four were recorded for the first time in Taiwan: Macrodontogobius wilburi (威氏壯牙鰕虎), Ctenogobiops pomastictus (點斑櫛鰕虎), Chrysiptera rollandi (羅氏刻齒雀鯛) and Pomacentrus alexanderae(胸斑雀鯛). Nine were recorded for the first time in the waters around Kenting: Yellowface angelfish (Pomacanthus xanthometopon 黃面蓋刺魚)、Fusigobius signipinnis (斑鰭紡綞鰕虎), Platax boersii (波氏燕魚), Pseudocaranx dentex(縱帶鰺), Paracheilinus carpenter (卡氏副唇魚), Lethrinus obsoletus(桔帶裸頰鯛), Acanthurus nigricauda (黑尾刺尾鯛), Eviota albolineata (細點磯塘鱧), Chrysiptera tricincta (三斑刻齒雀鯛).

Many people think that the reserve restricts fishing and leisure, however, the reserve is small and is not fenced in so many of the adult fish, fry and eggs and invertebrates inside spread beyond its border, allowing the local populations of marine creatures to actually increase. This research shows that the reserve has a positive effect on marine creature conservation. Reducing interference from human activity is a lasting way of sustainable using natural resources.

Translated by：Kevin Lax
Source：Kenting National Park Headquarters