“Turtle praying” is an annual ceremony in Penghu, Taiwan where residents pray to the gods for a chance to take home a turtle cake, a token of good fortune. But what is the significance of praying for turtle cakes, and how did this tradition begin? Find out how fishing conditions and cross-strait relations have converged in the Penghu Islands to strengthen local faith in deities. The Penghu Islands (also known historically as the Pescadores Islands) are located off the west coast of Taiwan, near the median line of the Taiwan Strait. For centuries, Penghu residents have relied on fishing to feed their families and make a living. Disconnected and distant from mainland Taiwan, Penghu fishers put their faith in deities to ensure their safety while out at sea. Faced with the uncertainties of a life dependent on the wild and formidable sea, turtles have become a welcome symbol of safe return for the residents of Penghu. However, Penghu’s abundant fishing grounds also straddle the Taiwan Strait’s median line. Recent years have seen increasing incursions across the median line by both Chinese military and civilian fishing vessels, threatening the safety and livelihoods of Penghu fishers. How does the disputed ownership of these fishing grounds impact Penghu residents, and how do turtles help them cope with the uncertainties of life in the Taiwan Strait?