Hong Kong proposes marine park to protect coral reefs

Janet Lee Ka-wai, a senior marine conservation officer with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, stated that underwater mapping technology was employed to evaluate coral coverage and pinpoint key ecological sites. She informed members of the Country and Marine Parks Board that major coral locations identified in a recent reef survey fall within the proposed boundaries of the 63-hectare marine park, situated on both the western and eastern sides of Sharp Island.

"Our proposed marine park area includes important sites with higher coral coverage," Lee said. "With reference to our scientific evidence, we believe that our proposal can protect key ecological sites and the most threatened areas while balancing the use of other users." Greenpeace had previously voiced concerns that the proposed 63-hectare area would be one of the smallest marine parks in Hong Kong and might neglect areas to its north and south.