Guanyin Island Introduction
Gubo Islet is located northwest of Baisha and southwest of Jibei Islet. It is a tableland formed by basalt, measuring about 1 kilometer in length from south to north, and it is the largest uninhabited island in the Penghu Islands. The island is characterized by porous basalt formations covered by a layer of iron-rich quartz sandstone, creating a strong contrast in the landscape. Gubo Islet is situated in Baisha Township, Penghu County, Taiwan, and is also the largest uninhabited island in the northern sea area. The island stretches in a north-south direction for approximately one kilometer and consists mainly of four land masses and three narrow straits, forming a tableland. The northern coast features a large marine erosion platform, while there are natural white sandy beach bays at each end of the eastern coast. On Gubo Islet, there is a "British Shipwreck Monument" located at the highest point of the island. The northern coastal marine erosion platform, shaped by years of wave action, is a renowned natural area for harvesting laver, known for its high quality. Each winter during the harvesting season, villagers from Chikan Village flock to the area in boats to collect the laver, creating a bustling scene reminiscent of a vibrant seafood market. Gubo Islet is famous for its wild laver, referred to as "black gold" by the people of Penghu. The northern side of Gubo is designated as a natural wild laver zone, completely free from pollution. The growth period for laver is from the end of October to the end of March, and in winter, due to the strong northeast monsoons, the crashing waves promote the growth of laver, making this season the harvesting period, also known as the "black gold picking" season. The waters between Gubo Islet and Baisha Islet are the largest fishing grounds for the longfin squid, with the peak harvesting season occurring from April to September. During May, which coincides with the spawning period for the squids, there is a fishing ban in place to ensure the ecological continuity of the species.
