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Members of the public will have a chance to appreciate the beauty and diversity of marine shells by visiting Hong Kong's first Shell House opened at the Agriculture and Fisheries Department's (AFD) Lions Nature Education Centre in Sai Kung today (Wednesday).

This Lions ECC (Environmental Campaign Committee) Shell House provides a systematic display on the special features, ecological value, classification and biological characteristics of shells.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, said that this unique Shell House in the territory would have a valuable educational impact for the many thousands of visitors every year.

"The exhibition allows us to appreciate the importance of shells to the living system that is the sea. And most important, it helps us to understand that any damage that we do to the marine ecosystem damages our own life support system," he said.

Mr Leung noted that the Government had recently taken a number of important steps to protect and conserve the aquatic communities.

He said that with the implementation of marine parks programme, three marine parks and a marine reserve had been designated while four other sites were being examined for their suitability for designation.

He also pointed out that all the marine waters of Hong Kong were designated as water quality control zones.

Mr Leung said: "We are investing heavily in sewage collection and treatment facilities to improve our water quality.

"But our work alone is not enough. Everybody and every company needs to understand and accept their responsibility to help protect the sea that sustains us," Mr Leung added.

The newly-opened Shell House, in the shape of a semi-opened shell and with an area of 180 square metres, displays some 5,000 colourful and beautifully sculptured shells from Hong Kong and other places.

The majority of the exhibits were donated by a renowned shell collector, Mr Li Chi-kin.

Mr Leung also paid tribute to the Lions Clubs International District 303 Hong Kong and Macau and Shell Hong Kong Limited for their contributions in the building of the $5 million Shell House.

Also present at today's ceremony were the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mrs Lessie Wei; District Governor of Lions Clubs International District 303, Dr Richard Tan; Chairman of the Lions Nature Education Foundation, Mr Choi Pat-tai; Chairman of ECC, Mr Ronnie Wong; and Chairman and Chief Executive to Shell Companies in Northeast Asia, Mr Brian Anderson.

End/Wednesday, June 10, 1998

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