The world’s deepest underwater mailbox was unveiled May 4 off Green Island in southeastern Taiwan’s Taitung County as part of local government efforts to promote marine conservation and attract more tourists from home and abroad.
Situated 11 meters below the ocean surface, the postbox is 60 meters offshore in the Shilang Diving Area. The 1.8-meter-high mailbox is in the shape of Hippocampus colemani, a rare species of tiny seahorse typically measuring between 0.7 to 1.9 centimeters in length found in the waters off the island.
Taitung Magistrate Justin Huang said Green Island is one of the best diving destinations in the world, boasting outstanding underwater scenery and visibility. It is hoped that the mailbox will help strengthen local tourism sector development by fostering wider international awareness of its abundant natural attractions, he added.
Waterproof postcards designed by local schoolchildren are available for purchase at diving operators and tourism facilities around Green Island. Profits from the cards and mailing service will be invested in environmental education programs, Huang said.
Underwater letter collection will be overseen by state-owned Chunghwa Post Co. Ltd. and carried out by local diving operators three times a week from June to September. Services will be conducted a weekly basis at other times of the year, the county government said.
Egyptian Ahmed Gabr, who holds the Guinness World Record for deepest scuba dive in sea water at 332.35 meters, was among the first visitors to use the new mailbox. Expressing his admiration for the clarity of the waters off Green Island, he said that this unique attraction will help draw diving enthusiasts from around the world.
Green Island is home to a diverse marine ecosystem including coral reefs as well as a thriving scuba diving industry. According to the East Coast National Scenic Area Administration, the island attracts more than 300,000 visitors each year. (CPY-E)
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