Press Release

22/04/2014

Port Shelter – Cradle of Hong Kong Marine Wildlife

–High biodiversity and proximity to city could make it an outstanding marine park –

Port Shelter,in Sai Kung, is one the most important habitats for Hong Kong’s marine wildlife. According to the results of coral fish surveys conducted by the Eco-Education and Resources Centre and Green Powerin the past 10 years, over half (more than 150) of local coral fish species have been recorded in Port Shelter. Of these, 8 were recorded for the first time in Hong Kong. This provedthat waters in and near Port Shelter are rich in biodiversity. Plus, Port Shelter is the only location in Hong Kong where wild Hong Kong Grouper (Epinephelus akaara) can be found.

The Hong Kong Grouper (Epinephelus akaara) occurs near coral reefs and stony reefs. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the overall wild population of Hong Kong Grouper declined by over 60% in the last 21 years, resulting in its classificationas “Endangered” –like the Giant Panda and the Black-faced Spoonbill. Apart from Hong Kong, the only records of the Hong Kong Grouper are from Southern China, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam and South Korea. Records show Hong Kong Grouper was still frequently caught in the waters of Port Shelter and the Ninepin Group Islands in the 1960s. In 2000, studies still claimed that the fish was “moderately abundant”, but in a report published in 2013, the Hong Kong Grouper was classified as “rare” in Hong Kong waters. Thus, the Hong Kong Grouper faces a survival crisis locally.

In 2011, Hong Kong joined the “Convention of Biological Diversity”, according to which signatories are obligated to maintain biological diversity and increase public awareness and knowledge of conservation. Port Shelter not only has a rich marine ecology, but is alsonear urban areas, making it a place where people can effectively learn about marine ecosystems if it is designated as a marine park. We hope that the government will reconsider designating the waters of Inner and Outer Port Shelter as amarine park, which will boost protection of marine ecosystems and help sustain our marine resources.

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Remark:This is a joint press release issued by Green Power and the Eco-Education & Resources Centre.