To implement the Executive Yuan’s "Salute to the Seas" policy and promote responsible marine tourism, the Matsu National Scenic Area Administration (hereafter referred to as the Administration) under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications is highlighting the unique marine cultural characteristics of Dongju Island. On April 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM, an environmental education event titled "Fuzheng’s Tidal Beauty: From Beach Cleanup to Sustainable Harvesting" will be held at the renowned Fuzheng Beach. This event not only calls upon military personnel, local residents, and tourists to participate in coastal cleaning but also transforms the traditional wisdom of digging for clams into an ecological conservation course, promoting the sustainable harvesting concept of "grasping the large and letting the small go."
Fuzheng Beach boasts a vast and flat intertidal zone. During low tide, it teems with rich benthic organisms, earning it the reputation of the "Matsu Refrigerator." However, with the influx of marine debris and human over-harvesting, the ecological pressure on the intertidal zone has been increasing daily. The Administration stated that this event aims to establish a responsible tourism model that shifts "from negative to positive, and from extraction to sustainability." The first half of the activity will lead a hundred participants in a beach cleanup to collectively remove polystyrene, plastic floats, and other waste/litter that threaten biological habitats, restoring the pristine appearance of Fuzheng Beach.
Following the cleanup, the second half of the event will feature "Sustainable Ecology Lectures" led by local experts from Dongju. These experts will provide on-site instruction on how to locate clam holes in the sand and demonstrate the correct digging depth (within 5 cm) to avoid large-scale destruction of benthic micro-habitats. To enforce conservation, all participants are required to strictly screen their catch during the harvesting experience: any juvenile clams smaller than 3 cm must be released back into their original spot, ensuring the concept of "taking only what is needed and leaving behind life" takes root in people's hearts.
Dongju Island possesses not only abundant marine resources but also a profound cultural heritage and unique geological landscapes. After participating in the cleanup and clam-digging activities at Fuzheng Beach, visitors can explore the nearby Fuzheng Settlement and Dapu Settlement to experience the beauty of traditional Mindong architecture. Furthermore, the island is home to the Dongju Island Lighthouse, which has a history of over a century, and the Dapu Inscription, a county-designated historic site documenting General Shen You-rong’s capture of Japanese pirates during the Ming Dynasty.
For nature enthusiasts, the magnificent sea erosion landscapes of the Dongyangshan Trail are a must-see, as is the Dongju Volcanic Breccia Natural Monument located on Xiniu Islet adjacent to Fuzheng Beach. Through the integration of this environmental education activity, it is hoped that while visiting historic sites, settlements, and geological landmarks, tourists will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of environmental sustainability and experience a profound, responsible journey through Dongju.
The "Fuzheng’s Tidal Beauty" event sincerely invites travelers visiting Matsu in mid-April and local residents to join in this grand occasion. At the golden moment of the ebb tide, let us roll up our sleeves and work together to protect the sustainable glimmer of the Fuzheng coast.
