Introduction

Hong Kong has a potentially vibrant and valuable marine environment.

 

Hong Kong’s Subtropical marine environment supports species of both tropical and temperate climates. Local waters contain a wide diversity of fishes, crustaceans, molluscs and other marine life, of which at least 150 species are of significance.

Set on the eastern bank of the Pearl River’s estuary, Hong Kong receives freshwater discharged from the river, especially in its western waters. The eastern waters, on the other hand, are little influenced by the Pearl River outflow and have a predominantly oceanic characteristic. This special hydrographic condition helps to contribute to the diversity of marine life found in Hong Kong.

 

 

Despite being close to the northern limit for hard corals, Hong Kong supports some 80 stony coral species. This diversity of corals is considered quite rich by international standards. A variety of marine fishes also breed in Hong Kong waters.
Source : http://www.yearbook.gov.hk/2004/en/14_14.htm

 

 

Threats

However unfortunately for too long Hong Kong has ignored the marine environment and the effects of continued dredging, reclamation, destructive fishing methods including trawling, gill netting and occasional dynamite as well as over fishing and a propensity for people to want to collect everything alive that they see in the water.

 

 

 

Evidence

There are many clear signs that the marine environment and biodiversity has declined dramatically and is in urgent need of restoration and better protection, some simple examples:

 

 

1. Decline of fisheries. Consultancy Study on Fisheries Resources and Fishing Operations in Hong Kong Waters” completed in 1998, catches in most areas had fallen by more than 50% since the late since the late 1980s, and fish fry production by 90%Source : AFCD

    

   
   Photo: Eric Sampson Too many boats, too few fish

    

2. Decline of local species. E.g. Chinese Bahaba a commercially important species is Critically Endangered and can be considered commercially extinct. 
3. Green Turtles regularly used beaches on Lamma Island for nesting have not been seen there for more than 4 years. 
4. Increase in invertebrate attacks on Coral communities in marine parks has been the result of over harvesting of predators and an in balance in the marine ecology. Source: WWF Hong Kong 
5. Trawling in Hong Kong waters is the predominant fishing method.  Trawling is designed to catch prawns and is highly destructive.  The following picture illustrates clearly the rubbish picked up and the lack of commercial species now in Hong Kong waters.