Urgent Call for Marine Protection: The Nature Conservancy Urges Stronger Safeguards and Restoration of Hong Kong's Endangered Oyster Reefs in Upcoming Biodiversity Policy Update
Despite Hong Kong's rich marine biodiversity – home to over 5,900 species, or more than one-quarter of all marine species recorded in mainland China – marine conservation efforts have lagged far behind those on land. Only about 6% of Hong Kong's marine waters are protected, well below the global target of 30%. Many ecologically important habitats, including oyster reefs, remain outside of protected areas and face persistent threats, particularly in western waters.
Oyster reefs and other shellfish reefs deliver vital benefits to people and the planet, including providing habitat for marine life, supporting fish production, regulating water quality and protecting coastlines. Yet, over the past two centuries, more than 85% of the world's shellfish ecosystems have been lost. Hong Kong is no exception. Historical dredging, reclamation, and urban development have decimated once-abundant oyster habitats across the territory. Today, any remaining oyster reefs are not officially recognised as ecologically important, are unprotected and therefore highly vulnerable to ongoing harvesting, degradation and reclamation projects, including the proposed Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands, which do not take shellfish reefs into account when conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment.
"Ecological restoration presents a huge opportunity for nature and people. However, ecological restoration is not without its challenges, that's why it cannot replace nature conservation, and should never be used to justify the destruction or degradation of ecosystems", said Marine Thomas, Associate Director of Conservation, The Nature Conservancy Hong Kong (TNC).
"The health of our marine ecosystems is crucial for a sustainable future," said Professor Bayden Russell, from the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS), The University of Hong Kong. "We must act now to restore our oyster reefs and protect our biodiversity."
With the BSAP now under review, the public has a once-in-a-decade opportunity to advocate for stronger marine conservation policies and the health of Hong Kong waters. TNC will be submitting formal recommendations to AFCD and encourages the public to take part by submitting their views before the deadline on July 11, 2025.
TNC's Key Recommendations for the BSAP
To reverse biodiversity loss and strengthen coastal resilience, TNC recommends that the updated BSAP prioritize the following:
Expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to Safeguard Coastal Ecosystems
Scale up protection in line with the global "30x30" target by designating new MPAs and implementing other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).
Prioritize the inclusion of biodiversity hotspots and underrepresented habitat types, notably areas such as South Lantau, Tung Chung, Port Shelter, and the coastal area of Deep Bay.
Initiate Large-Scale Restoration of Degraded Oyster Ecosystems to reverse biodiversity loss and improve water qualityThe 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework recognises that conservation alone is not enough—restoration must be scaled up to reverse biodiversity loss. TNC and the University of Hong Kong have conducted territory-wide feasibility assessments, showing that oyster reef restoration is both scientifically sound and technically feasible. The key barrier is access to suitable seabed areas. To restore these vital ecosystems, we should:
Include targeted restoration strategies in marine park management plans.
Make seabed areas available for restoration efforts outside of protected areas.
Launch reef restoration projects in at least 30% of suitable bays by 2030, to enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and rebuild ecosystem resilience.
Strengthen Legal Protection for Endangered Species and Ecosystems
Establish and maintain an up-to-date list of locally threatened species and ecosystems to inform conservation priorities. To support this, TNC—together with the University of Hong Kong—is currently conducting an IUCN Red List of Ecosystems assessment for Hong Kong's oyster reefs, providing the scientific foundation needed to formally recognise and protect these endangered habitats.
Update and amend legislation to formalize the list and extend legal protection to currently unprotected but endangered species—including oysters and key marine fishes.
Develop species-specific action plans to recover endangered ecosystems such as oyster reefs, through expanded protected areas and scaled restoration.
"This is a critical opportunity to share your voice in shaping the future of Hong Kong's marine environment. We stand at a crossroads; if we act now, we can bring back these once abundant ecosystems, securing cleaner water, healthy fisheries, and stronger coastlines for future generations, or we continue to destroy our oceans, possibly to a point of no return", said Marine Thomas, Associate Director of Conservation at TNC.
TNC urges members of the public to participate in the BSAP consultation by emailing directly AFCD at bsap@afcd.gov.hk or visiting AFCD's dedicated website: https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/Con_hkbsap/updating_bsap/updating_bsap.html for details on proposed updates to Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. The public consultation is open from May 12 to July 11, 2025.
To learn more about oyster reefs and why they matter to Hong Kong, TNC is featured in the documentary "City of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs," which explores the ecological, cultural, and historical significance of these lost ecosystems – and the opportunity to restore them. Watch the documentary at www.cityofshells.com, or visit the exhibition "Reviving Hong Kong's Ocean Heritage: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs" at Pacific Place from 29 May to 11 June for more details.
About The Nature Conservancy Hong Kong (TNC)The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is the world's leading international conservation non-profit organization dedicated to protecting natural places and preserving life on Earth for future generations since 1951. TNC follows a science-based conservation approach to create innovative solutions to global conservation challenges and enable nature and people to thrive together. We are currently addressing climate change at an unprecedented scale by protecting lands, waters, and oceans in sustainable ways, providing food and water resources, and helping cities become more sustainable. Our projects span 81 countries and territories, using collaborative approaches with local communities, governments, private sector and others, to carry out various conservation projects and activities, including biodiversity conservation, forest conservation, marine conservation, climate change, and sustainable land use. TNC organizes various community projects and educational activities, aiming to promote public awareness and action towards environmental protection and sustainable development and to raise public awareness of natural environments and wildlife. TNC has been in Asia Pacific for almost 30 years with projects in Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mongolia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. TNC was awarded the 2019 Lui Che Woo Prize - Prize for Sustainable Development. For more about TNC's work, please visit: The Nature Conservancy (tnc.org.hk)
If you also care about environmental protection and wildlife conservation, please support TNC's work, participate in our community projects and activities, and work together to protect the natural environment and wildlife, follow TNC Hong Kong's social platforms for more environmental conservation information:
Facebook: TNC HK 大自然保護協會 Instagram: @tnc_hk
About The Swire Institute of Marine Science (The University of Hong Kong)The Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) is one of the world's leading marine research institutions. The research of SWIMS' scientists is focused on the interaction of humanity and the ocean – SWIMS specialises in the study of coastal ecosystems, the shallow seas that hundreds of millions of people depend on for their livelihood. Using leading technology and novel, interdisciplinary methods, SWIMS studies the impact of human actions, such as climate change and pollution, on marine ecosystems and biodiversity, providing science-based solutions to conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of marine resources. Hong Kong's maritime traditions and marine biodiversity are SWIMS' local roots, but the impact is global. Since its foundation in 1990, SWIMS has trained hundreds of scientists from over 30 countries, who have gone on to play leading roles in marine research and conservation.
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SOURCE The Nature Conservancy
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