The introduction by the Keelung and New Taipei City governments of nighttime fishing tours hints at the waning of the traditional fishery industry in northern Taiwan’s primary fishing ports and a move toward an emphasis on tourism.
Keelung’s Bisha Port (碧砂港) and Shenao Fishing Port (深澳漁港) in New Taipei City Juifang Township (瑞芳) have shown signs of moving away from traditional fishing and becoming tourism ports in recent years.
New piers for pleasure boats and yachts have been built by the Fisheries Agency, and new scenic sites are being mulled, port authorities said.
Photo: Lin Hsin-han, Taipei Times
There has also been new construction around Shenao Port, which has been voted as one of the nation’s top 10 ports with special characteristics.
The Keelung City Government said that it has arranged nighttime trips during squid season to give the public an opportunity to observe squids in their natural habitat and to see how they are caught.
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the city’s official Squid Season, it is trying night fishing expeditions where participants can try to fish for squids themselves.
This year’s squid season runs from June 18 to Aug. 31 and the city is promoting a variety of activities to attract visitors, Keelung officials said.
Shenao Port is also arranging similar events, including both night-time fishing trips and tours of nearby scenic sites, such as Siangbi Rock (象鼻岩).
“We are aiming to give participants an in-depth cultural tour of New Taipei City and a chance to enjoy the fishing industry and become acquainted with maritime biology,” a New Taipei City official said.
Hsiang Yen-hao (項彥豪), captain of the fishing boat Ming Lung, said that despite similarities in the activities in the ports, there are some differences in the way that they are conducted.
“Shenao Port’s boat captains have more knowledge about fishing and lean toward pulling all-nighters out at sea to fish, while Bisha Port is more touristy and more accommodating to families,” he said.
Bisha was better situated than Shenao and was also cleaner and friendlier, although Shenao afforded a view of the mountains around Jiufen (九份) both at night and during the day, Hsiang said.
They all have their pluses and minuses and it is up to the visitors themselves to decide which is better suited for them, Hsiang said.
Though the ports do not yet have a key site as a main tourist attraction, they are beginning to see an increase in the quality of tourism offerings under the joint goal of maintaining their local ecology while providing visitors with a maritime experience, the Keelung and New Taipei City governments said.
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