Key facts
- Hong Kong authorities have proposed a new marine park in Sai Kung.
- The park will cover most of the region's coral reefs.
- Underwater mapping technology was used to identify ecological sites and assess coral coverage.
- The proposed marine park spans 63 hectares around Sharp Island.
- Greenpeace had raised concerns about the proposed park's size and potential neglect of certain areas.
Hong Kong authorities have announced plans for a new marine park in Sai Kung, designed to protect the majority of the region's coral reefs. This proposal aims to address concerns raised by environmental groups, such as Greenpeace, regarding the adequacy of protection for ecologically sensitive marine areas.
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.