Hong Kong Reef Check 2006

Background

In collaboration with the Reef Check Foundation, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has coordinated annual survey of corals in Hong Kong (Reef Check) since 2000. The Hong Kong Reef Check is part of the global programme to promote sustainable management of coral reefs. Reef Check in Hong Kong serves 2 major functions:

1. to raise public awareness on the ecological importance of coral reefs and the need for coral conservation and

2. to provide updated information on local coral for conservation and management purposes.

There has been a general increase in the number of participants and survey sites each year, indicating a support from the the public on this activities. The response to the Reef Check in 2006 was very good with a total of 33 diving teams and over 330 volunteers involved in survey. Similar to previous years, we have organized technical training for team members to share knowledge and experience on coral identification and data collection. Apart from the biological information required for Reef Check, we continue to monitor the health conditions of corals through Coral Watch.