AFCD and SWIMS enhance collaboration in managing and disseminating biodiversity data (with photo)

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     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) of the University of Hong Kong today (January 17) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for enhanced collaboration in managing and disseminating marine biodiversity data.

     The MoU was signed by the Assistant Director (Conservation) of the AFCD, Mr Simon Chan, and the Director of SWIMS, Professor Gray Williams.

     Mr Chan said, "Information sharing is an important foundation of biodiversity conservation, and the AFCD will co-operate with SWIMS to share a vast amount of spatial data of local marine species with the public, via the Biodiversity Geographic Information System (BGIS) of the Hong Kong Biodiversity Information Hub (HKBIH)."

     Professor Williams said, "One of SWIMS' main research directions is to continue building an up-to-date inventory of Hong Kong's rich marine biodiversity. SWIMS is delighted to collaborate with the AFCD to disseminate the information for public education and conservation initiatives."

     The AFCD launched the HKBIH (bih.gov.hk) in March 2022 to provide a one-stop shop for information on local biodiversity. The forthcoming BGIS, which is expected to be launched in 2024 as part and parcel of the HKBIH, will facilitate the sharing of spatial data of local species. The AFCD and SWIMS endeavour to make the HKBIH a more comprehensive data repository to foster better understanding and conservation of Hong Kong's wealth of biodiversity.

Ends/Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Issued at HKT 16:58

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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) of the University of Hong Kong today (January 17) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for enhanced collaboration in managing and disseminating marine biodiversity data. Photo shows the Assistant Director (Conservation) of the AFCD, Mr Simon Chan (left), and the Director of SWIMS, Professor Gray Williams (right), signing the MoU.