To evaluate the coral ecology of the seas of the Southern Penghu Four Islands and remove coral-endangering crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci), the Marine National Park Headquarters (MNPH) teamed up with the Penghu Marine Biology Research Center (Taiwan Fisheries Research Institute) and Penghu County Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries to conduct a three-day overall survey on the coral ecology of the seas of the Southern Penghu Four Islands and hosted crown-of-thorns starfish removal activities from June 17 to 19, 2013. The survey results show that coral coverage along all eight survey routes reaches an average of 50.6% and large Trumpet Tritons (Charonia tritonis) over 30cm were discovered, which indicates that coral colonies in the area are quite healthy. A total of 191 crown-of-thorns starfish were removed along the routes. The largest number of starfish was found along the route southeast to Jixi Island; a total of 181 with an average size of 31.3cm were removed. Ten starfish with an average size of 35.1cm were found at Xiyuping, which made up the second largest group. No starfish were found in the seas of Dongyuping and Tiezhanyu.

The seas of the Southern Penghu Four Islands are characterized by an upswelling phenomenon, due to the interaction of undersea terrain and Kuroshio current branches. This special phenomenon gives the region rich and highly diversified marine biology. In recent years, the Penghu seas have experienced several occasions of cold damage. Therefore, to survey the health of the coral ecologies in this area, MNPH and the associated organizations conduct an overall survey on the coral colonies annually. This survey aims to continuously monitor the health of the coral ecologies in the seas of the Southern Penghu Four Islands and a crown-of-thorns starfish removal event is also launched jointly every year.

The crown-of-thorns starfish removal activity in the Xijuyu area has been launched for the third consecutive year. In the past two years, the team removed 100 (2011) and 143 (2012) starfish during the non-reproductive season when the starfish colonies spread across the coral reefs. This year, the starfish removal activity was launched right before the reproductive season. Every starfish caught in this activity appears to have fully-developed reproductive glands, the colonies were scattered unevenly due to the reproductive activities, and some starfish even showed signs of mating. Good timing brought the team a good harvest. A new high of 181 starfish were removed in this year's action, effectively repressing the spread of crown-of-thorns starfish colonies. In the future, the MNPH will continue to work with the Marine Biology Research Center to monitor the colonies on a long-term basis and maintain the coral ecologies in the Southern Penghu Four Islands in good health.