The Waves of Jibei: Community Outreach Program for the Protection of Jibeiyu Underwater Cultural Heritage was held at Jibeiyu, a location known for having the highest density of stone weirs in Penghu County. Additionally, the waters near Gupo Island’s northern reef are home to the shipwreck of S.S. Bokhara. To promote the significance and methods of preserving underwater shipwrecks and stone weirs, our center co-hosted the event with the Bureau of Cultural Heritage on the afternoon of September 20, 2024. The event was also supported by the Penghu County Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Baisha Township Office.

The course targeted students and teachers of Jibei Elementary School and Junior High School, as well as residents of Jibei Village, with 73 participants from various age groups and backgrounds. This diversity allowed the message of preserving underwater cultural heritage to become an integral part of the community’s collective memory and local identity.

The goal of this outreach program was to inspire residents to explore and preserve their regional history. The course featured several sessions: Professor Tsang Cheng-hwa introduced the concept of underwater cultural heritage preservation, while Section Chief Lin Hong-Long from the Bureau of Cultural Heritage explained the Underwater Cultural Heritage Preservation Act, emphasizing the balance between cultural preservation and fisheries development. Assistant Researcher Huang Han-Chang from our center presented the current status of shipwreck investigations and shared the history and excavation story of the S.S. Bokhara.

Since elementary and junior high school students participated, the event concluded with an interactive quiz competition hosted by Professor Ellen Hsieh using the online platform Kahoot!. This activity not only evaluated the effectiveness of the course but also reinforced the participants’ understanding of underwater cultural heritage preservation through a fun and engaging format.