Tourism threatens one of East Asia's top diving spots

By Ralph Jennings

GREEN ISLAND, Taiwan (Reuters) - A tropical island off the coast of Taiwan has become a victim of its own success as pollution caused by a recent spike in tourism threatens its reputation as the best diving spot in East Asia.

The aptly named 15-square-kilometre Green Island, an hour's ferry ride from Taiwan's main isle, is fast losing its luster due to garbage and excrement dumped into its azure waters and shrinking reefs plundered by coral-robbing tourists.

"The water is not as clear as it used to be," a dismayed Taiwan Vice President Annette Lu told Reuters after surveying Green Island by boat in October. "That's what happens when a place chooses to grow."

Coral reefs, colourful fish, a warm ocean current, mild off-season weather and ferry links make Green Island arguably one of East Asia's best places to dive or snorkel.

But the island's infrastructure has not kept up with the influx of tourists and the family run hotels that dot the island throw raw sewage and garbage in the sea because there is no central sewage and garbage treatment and disposal system.

Corals have deteriorated and once common sea turtles and hammerhead sharks are seldom seen around the island.

"When I first dived on Green Island 16 years ago, it had abundant marine life, and it is now a shadow of its former self," said Taiwan-based diving trainer Andrew Gray.

"Unless (the government acts), the underwater environment will be steadily depleted and eventually everyone will suffer."