|
Hong Kong Reef Check 2001
Results
Coral cover
Species diversity
Other Observations
Change in Coral Cover (2000 vs 2001)
Click to enlarge
Coral cover
- A marked difference in coral cover (ranging from 23.1% to 71.9%) was
recorded among 19 survey sites.
- Among all 19 sites surveyed, 10 of them including Coral Garden of
Hoi Ha Wan (HHW), Lai Chi Wo, Wong Chuk Kok Hoi, Tung Ping Chau A Ma
Wan, Yung Kok and Kai Kun Tau of Kat O North, Pak Lap Tsai, Bluff Island,
Double Island and Crescent Island have recorded outstanding coral covers
(i.e. >50%).
- Coral Garden of HHW is the site with the highest coral cover (71.9%).
- Coral cover at sites within existing Marine Parks (i.e. Coral Garden
of Hoi Ha Wan and Lai Chi Wo) and the new Marine Park at Tung Ping Chau
are of high ranking.
Species diversity
- Sites recorded high coral covers in general have high diversity of
fish fauna.
- 19 out of the total 26 predetermined indicator species were recorded.
- Wrasses, groupers, long-spine sea urchins, sea urchins and sea cucumbers
are the most common indicator species.
- Groupers (mainly Cephalopholis boenak, Brown-barred Rockcod), are
found in most of the sites at NE waters. High-finned grouper (Cromileptes
altivelis), and Coral trout (Plectropomus sp.), are also recorded in
small quantity at Lai Chi Wo and Coral Beach of HHW.
Other Observations
- Corals at all 19 sites are healthy.
- No signs of destructive fishing practices were observed at all sites.
- Anchor damage to coral and abandoned nets were observed at isolated
sites. The impacts were low and localised.
- As compared with last year's results, some improvement was observed
with regard to the anchor damage problem at Bluff Island. This may result
from the department's continued effort in education and publicity on
coral conservation.
Change in Coral Cover (2000 vs 2001)
- Sites surveyed by the same dive team and covered the same area were
selected for comparison, 6 sites were selected.
- Coral covers are in general stable with some sites showing slight
improvement.
|
