Extensive damage has been caused to Hong Kong's coral: green groups

Conservation officials are proposing to expand a scheme in which areas of coral off Sai Kung have been demarcated to avoid damage, after two green groups found extensive degradation in some parts of the city's waters.

Areas near Sharp Island, Tai Chau and Shelter Island, all within Port Shelter in Sai Kung, will be considered as candidates for protection by the marine park subcommittee of the Country and Marine Parks Board, which meets today.

The places chosen are popular areas for water sports. They also account for up to 12 per cent of all coral damage reported to the government, a source said.

Officials believe that a system of deploying buoys to mark areas of coral has been effective in preventing damage from boats anchoring and has helped coral growth.

Buoys were first installed at Bluff Island and Sharp Island in Sai Kung and Port Island in northeastern waters in 2001, reminding boat operators that the areas were not suitable for anchoring.

But two green groups, the Eco-Education and Resources Centre and Green Power, found evidence in a survey carried out in June that damage to coral was both "extensive and serious" off Port Island.

Similar levels of damage were also found at Crescent Island, Double Island and Tsim Chau.