To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of marine parks, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (November 2) held the "Corals of Hope" planting ceremony, bringing together members of the community to plant 30 "Corals of Hope" at Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park and working together to protect the marine ecosystem.
Officiating at the ceremony, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said that coral communities are a precious natural asset of Hong Kong. Over the past 30 years since the establishment of Hong Kong's first batch of marine parks and marine reserve, marine parks have not only protected marine habitats, but also served as important venues for conducting scientific research and enabling the public to learn about and get close to the ocean. Today's "Corals of Hope" planting ceremony stands as a testament to the long-standing collaboration among the Government, academic institutions, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and society. The Government will also continue to advance the goals of the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) by expanding the network of marine protected areas in an orderly manner, protecting and restoring habitats and species, as well as enhancing biodiversity in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Hong Kong possesses rich biodiversity and natural ecology. More than 80 species of hard corals have been recorded in Hong Kong, accounting for about one-tenth of the global species, and are of remarkably high ecological value. Since the establishment of Hong Kong's first batch of marine parks and marine reserve in 1996, Hong Kong now has eight marine parks and one marine reserve, with a total area of 8 517 hectares, protecting diverse marine habitats, including precious coral communities. In addition to the statutory protection provided by marine parks and the marine reserve, the AFCD has over the years actively protected local corals through long-term monitoring, scientific research, public education, and the formulation and implementation of habitat restoration strategies. Moreover, the AFCD is forging ahead with the designation of Sharp Island Marine Park to protect the important coral communities on the eastern and western sides of Sharp Island. The "Corals of Hope" planted on this occasion were propagated in local laboratories and transplanted to Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park, where the water quality is excellent, providing an ideal growing environment for the corals. The AFCD hopes this initiative will encourage all sectors of society to join hands in protecting Hong Kong's precious marine resources.
Under the theme "Together We Treasure, Together We Explore", the AFCD is organising a series of events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of marine parks this year, including roving exhibitions, eco-tours, workshops and diverse experiential activities to showcase Hong Kong's rich marine biodiversity and years of conservation achievements, and to encourage the public to experience first-hand the natural beauty of marine parks and actively participate in marine ecological conservation. For event details and registration, please visit the marine parks' 30th anniversary webpage:
www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_mar/cou_vis_mar_wha/cou_vis_mar_cel.html.
