16-05-2025
NGO urges stronger protection of Hong Kong's oyster reefs as gov't invites public views on biodiversity strategy
Hong Kong's environmental authorities should include more robust measures to protect and restore oyster reefs in the city's waters in their forthcoming update of a biodiversity policy blueprint, an international NGO has said.
The government has launched a two-month public consultation on updating Hong Kong's Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, a five-year environmental policy blueprint first introduced in 2016. The invitation for public views will end on July 11.
International environmental NGO the Nature Conservancy on Thursday urged the public to support greater marine conservation in Hong Kong during the consultation period, while calling on the government to take further steps to protect the city's coastal ecosystems.
Oyster reefs improve water quality by filtering particles, and are an important habitat for hundreds of species. The barnacles, mussels and sea anemones which settle on them create rich food sources for fish consumed by humans. Worldwide, an estimated 85 per cent of reefs have already been wiped out, according to TNC.
'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,' the NGO said in a press release on Thursday.
About five per cent of Hong Kong's waters are designated as marine parks or marine reserves, which are protected areas under the city's law, according to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).
It was 'well below the global target of 30 [per cent],' the NGO said.
It urged the government to expand marine protected areas, notably in areas such as South Lantau, Tung Chung, and the coastal area of Deep Bay, which are biodiversity hotspots.
Reefs restoration
The NGO also suggested that the government initiate projects to restore degraded oyster reefs in Hong Kong.
'Historical dredging, reclamation, and urban development have decimated once-abundant oyster habitats across the territory,' it said.
Citing an assessment it conducted with the University of Hong Kong, the NGO said reef restoration is feasible but a key barrier is access to the seabed – an area where their efforts have faced government red tape.
It proposed that the government include reef restoration strategies in marine parks, launch them in suitable bays, and make seabed areas available for such projects.
The government said in a press release on Monday that the update to the biodiversity policy blueprint will be completed this year.
A consultation paper proposes four areas for the update, including nature conservation and 'collaborative partnering,' in which the government seeks cross-border partnership in environmental protection, such as with the mainland authorities.
Hong Kong has nine marine parks and marine reserves, which are mostly located in the city's western waters, where a rich marine life including the uniquely pink Chinese White Dolphin lives.
The area also saw major infrastructure projects in recent years such as the construction of the third runway of the city's international airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
In comparison, Hong Kong has 25 country parks and multiple special areas designated as sites for nature conservation. They comprise of over 400 square kilometres of land. Hong Kong has a total of 1,073 square kilometres of land.
