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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) held a prize presentation ceremony today (December 1) to commend the work of Reef Check teams and their contributions to the success of Hong Kong Reef Check 2012. The ceremony also marked the 15th anniversary of the annual survey.
The first Reef Check was held by the Hong Kong Reef Check Foundation in 1997. The AFCD has collaborated with the Foundation to conduct the survey since 2000.
The results of Hong Kong Reef Check 2012 showed that local corals are generally in a healthy and stable condition with high fauna diversity.
The 48 Reef Check teams comprised more than 570 volunteers from different sectors of the community, including education institutes, green groups, commercial sectors, government departments and diving groups.
The water areas surveyed are extensive, covering 33 sites of ecological importance. The four-month exercise starting from June covered coral sites in the eastern part of Hong Kong waters extending from Tung Ping Chau in the north to the Ninepin Group in the south, including three Marine Parks - Hoi Ha Wan, Yan Chau Tong and Tung Ping Chau.
Hong Kong Reef Check's survey method and data collection follows international standards. Reef Check divers recorded the indicator species (including 20 fishes 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 20 per cent to 76.8 per cent) was recorded among 33 survey sites. Nineteen sites, including dive sites within the Marine Parks (Hoi Ha Wan, Yan Chau Tong and Tung Ping Chau Marine Parks) recorded high coral coverage (above 50 per cent). Among all sites, Coral Beach of Hoi Ha Wan recorded the highest coral coverage of 76.8 per cent.
Most of the survey sites boast high species diversity. All of the 20 assigned indicator species were recorded. 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. By 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 seven sites were assessed using the Coral Watch tool in Reef Check 2012. The average health index is 4.13 (ranging from 3.6 to 4.9). The results are similar to those of last year (4.14). 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 impact was minor and localised.
Corals form a highly productive system that supports various marine organisms by providing them food and shelter. The AFCD will continue to organise Reef Check activities to collect important information necessary for devising conservation and management measures to protect the precious corals.
Ends/Saturday, December 1, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:01
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