THE FACTS – Marine Parks and Marine Reserve

THE FACTS – Marine Parks and Marine Reserve
 

MARINE PARKS

Hong Kong is surrounded by sea with a total sea area of about 1 650 km². It lies within the subtropical region on the north of South China Sea and is influenced by the estuary of Pearl River in the west. In the east, Hong Kong is affected by the seasonal currents and monsoon weather conditions, which is the reason of admixture of tropical and temperate flora and fauna like corals, seagrass, macroalgae, fishes and marine mammals.

The Marine Parks Ordinance (Cap. 476) enacted in 1995 provides a legal framework for designation, control and management of marine parks and marine reserve. It also stipulates the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation as the Country and Marine Parks Authority which is advised by the Country and Marine Parks Board. The Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation was enacted in July 1996 to provide for the prohibition and control of certain activities in marine parks or marine reserve.

A total of 7 marine parks and 1 marine reserve have been designated. Marine parks are created for the purpose of conservation, education, scientific studies and recreation. Activities compatible with the objectives of marine parks are generally allowed. On the other hand, recreational activities are prohibited in marine reserve and the area is protected for nature conservation, education and scientific studies.

The Parks: The marine parks and marine reserve cover a total sea area of 6 117 hectares. The marine parks and marine reserve comprise habitats including coral communities, mangrove bed, seagrass bed, estuary, rocky shore, sandy shore etc. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is responsible for the management work of marine parks and marine reserve including the planning of proper utilization of existing marine protected areas (MPAs), monitoring the natural ecological resources, environment and activities, conducting enforcement work and organizing marine conservation-related education and public awareness programmes.

Facilities: Marine park facilities include marine parks information board and different kinds of sea-based marking buoys for indicating the purpose of different zones for parks’ users.

Education and Visitor Service AFCD provides education programmes for students and public every year. A spectrum of activities, including seminars, land-based guided ecotours, field studies and those under “Marine Parks Ambassador Scheme” are organized. In order to introduce marine parks and marine reserve, and their key natural resources to public, AFCD has produced a set of leaflets and posters, topics range from the introduction of each park, marine parks visitor code, marine flora and fauna.

Hong Kong Marine Parks and Marine Reserve