A Sea Change? Ask the Sandbar

Sand? Are you alive?

Time brings great changes

to rivers, oceans, mountains, wind, streams, wind, rain, and people.

Over thousands of years the Taijiang Inland Sea gradually changed

into Qigu Lagoon, a mere vestige of the Inland Sea.

As the surrounding sandbars—

Xinfulun, Dingtou’e, Wangziliao and Qingshangang—

retreated and broke apart,

the rich ecology of Taiwan’s greatest lagoon changed too.

We can try to replenish the sand, or put up fences and plant trees to bind the sand.

But when we go against the laws of nature,

whatever we do, we’ll never again see those scenes of bygone days.

Sand, are you alive?

Milkfish are an important product of Qigu’s aquaculture. Different drying techniques produce different qualities and flavors of milkfish.

Demand for fishing nets is steadily declining.

Qigu is a great place for birds and for birdwatching.

Footprints on a sandy beach are transient; before you know it, they’re gone without a trace.

Seaside plants like the beach morning glory are natural sand binders.

The sun sets behind the salt mound. Salt drying operations at the Qigu Salt Fields were halted in May 2002.