Since coral grows at the low rate of only one inch every 10 to 20 years, the resources around Taiwan were soon depleted. Ships began to venture further afield, and several were detained by overseas authorities. Since Taiwan's coral production is declining daily, it is surprising to learn that supply outstrips demand.
而珊瑚成長速度很慢，要經一、廿年才長一寸，經不起這樣一窩風的盲目濫採；幾年後，台、澎附近的珊瑚資源被破壞殆盡，陷入無物可採的窘境。