Press Releases

Hong Kong Reef Check 2009, the annual reef check exercise co-ordinated by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) in collaboration with the Reef Check Foundation since 2000, finds local corals generally in healthy and stable condition with higher fauna diversity.

AFCD held a presentation ceremony today (December 19) in appreciation of the work of Reef Check teams and their contribution to the success of Hong Kong Reef Check 2009. Officiating at the ceremony, the Assistant Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation (Country and Marine Parks), Mr Joseph Sham, commended participating teams for their support and presented them with souvenirs.

The 41 Reef Check Teams comprised more than 410 divers from different sectors of community, including education institutes, green groups, commercial sectors, government departments and diving groups.

The surveyed water areas are extensive, covering 33 sites of ecological importance. The three-month exercise started on June 11 covered coral sites in the eastern part of Hong Kong waters extending from Tung Ping Chau in the north to Ninepin Groups in the south, including three Marine Parks - Hoi Ha Wan, Yan Chau Tong and Tung Ping Chau Marine Parks.

The survey method and data collection of Hong Kong Reef Check follows international standards. Reef Check divers recorded the indicator species (including 20 fish and invertebrates), coral coverage and health status. The data helps assess the coral condition and fauna diversity of a coral reef ecosystem over time.

The survey continues to yield encouraging results. In general, the growth of corals in Hong Kong is stable and healthy. Indicator species are abundant in most of the survey sites. A variation in coral coverage (ranging from 19% to 74%) was recorded among 33 survey sites. Twenty-three of them including dive-sites within Marine Parks (Hoi Ha Wan, Yan Chau Tong and Tung Ping Chau Marine Parks) recorded high coral coverage (above 50%). Among all sites, the public pier and Coral Beach at Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park and A Ma Wan at Tung Ping Chau Marine Park recorded the highest coral coverage (ranging from 72% to 74%).

Most of the survey sites boast high species diversity. Out of the 20 assigned indicator species, 19 were recorded, two more species as compared to 17 species recorded last year. Wrasses, groupers, butterfly fish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and cowries were species commonly found in the survey sites.

Coral Watch has been included in the Reef Check since 2005 to enhance the monitoring of coral health status. Through measuring the colour intensity of the coral using a specially designed Coral Health Monitoring Chart, the health condition of corals can then be determined.

Corals at 22 sites were assessed using Coral Watch tool in Reef Check 2009. The average health index is 4.31 (ranging from 3.51 to 5.48). The results are similar to last year (4.27). The average health index is well above the general average value (3), indicating corals were in healthy and stable condition.

Coral bleaching and some coral damage were observed at a few sites but the impacts were minor and localised.

The first Hong Kong National Geopark was opened in November 3. It comprises eight geo areas in the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region and Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region. To better conserve the seascape feature and ecological resources including coral communities in the geopark, a plan is under way to designate more marine parks.

Corals form a highly productive system that supports various marine organisms by providing them food and shelter. AFCD will continue to organise the Reef Check activities to collect important information necessary for devising conservation and management measures to protect the precious corals.

Ends