To meet and exceed the global 30x30 challenge for protecting 30% of our oceans by the year 2030, Hong Kong based Non-Government Organisation, together with world renowned international marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer, Sylvia Earle and her Mission Blue charity have registered and established the first, and only Hope Spot within Chinese waters, protecting over 41,000 hectares of our local waters.
HONG KONG, June 7, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Hong Kong Southern Waters has been declared a Hope Spot (Hong Kong South Hope Spot) by international marine conservation non-profit, Mission Blue, in support of the Hong Kong government's commitment to protecting 30% of its waters by 2030.
Hope Spot Champions Sharon Kwok, Dr Robert Lockyer, and Professor John Wong with AquaMeridian Conservation & Education (http://www.aquameridian.org) are hopeful in building community support for the marine protected area through educational programs and strengthening the area's ecotourism industry. Most importantly, they support comprehensive policy and subsequent enforcement of a marine protected area.
Hope Spots are special places that are scientifically identified as critical to the health of the ocean. Our Hope Spots are championed by local conservationists whom we support with communications, expeditions and scientific advisory.
"I wish you would use all means at your disposal – films, expeditions, the web, new submarines, campaigns – to ignite public support for a global network of marine protected areas, Hope Spots large enough to save and restore the ocean, the blue heart of the planet." – Dr. Sylvia Earle
The Southern Waters of Hong Kong are a unique, highly connected enclave in the South China Sea. The designated area, in excess of 41,700 hectares, includes areas of South Lantau, Soko Islands, South Lamma, Aberdeen, Po Toi and Cape D'Aguilar is home to rare endemic species including finless porpoises, sea turtles, horseshoe crabs, as well as the iconic Chinese white dolphins. Hong Kong South Hope Spot possesses exceptional biodiversity and lies within the historical migratory route for whales (e.g. minke, humpback, brydes and gray whales) and dolphins (bottlenose dolphins, risso dolphins), sea turtles, and squids.
Hong Kong currently has seven marine parks and marine reserves, of which 2 fall within the Hope Spot area, however prior to the Hong Kong South Hope Spot being launched only approximately 4,050 hectares, (https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_lea/the_facts_mar.html) or roughly only 3% of our marine habitat. The Hong Kong South Hope Spot aims to increase the area to above the 30% commitment of the 30x30 global commitment.
"We want everyone to know how important the ocean is to our own health, as humans," explains Sharon Kwok, Hope Spot Champion and actress, conservationist and Director of AquaMeridian Conservation & Education Foundation. She describes the dire conditions the area's marine life populations are in. "Sustainable seafood just isn't an option anymore – for many species, there is no such thing as sustainable consumption. It's up to each of us to do what we can to alleviate the pressure on the ocean."
AquaMeridian has been working to raise awareness for marine protection and lobby for the importance of sustainable development of coastal areas as well as marine waste issues such as plastics, abandoned ghost nets and marine debris. They've been successful in gathering support from legislators at the Hong Kong Government Legislative Council of Hong Kong (Elizabeth Quat, Paul Zimmerman) to time and push the Hope Spot agenda forward. AFCD have verbally supported extending the protection of Sham Wan and Cape D'Aguilar. Soko Islands Marine Park has since become Hong Kong's MPA, though the action of this marine conservation group.
To quote the South China Morning Post, "There are 84 species of hard coral in Hong Kong waters, representing about 10 percent of those found globally. By protecting Hong Kong corals, we are also protecting 10 percent of the world's hard-coral gene pool. This could be a genetic resource for the planet, and are vulnerable to extinction from ocean warming."
"All waters are connected and much of marine life tends to travel great distances, so it is difficult to select a specific area to protect. In an ideal world, all of our oceans should be protected, but since we are not quite there yet, we start with vital areas of special interest. From corals, cetaceans, to sea turtles, Hong Kong's southern waters are home or host to a great number of threatened and endangered species. We aim to continue educating the public while working with the government and other like-minded parties to improve protective legislation and policing", says Sharon Kwok.
"Due to the failure in monitoring the established MPAs (Marine Protection Area's) in Hong Kong, critics refer Hong Kong's existing MPAs as "paper parks", with illegal cross-border ships from China continuing to fish in the protected zones, hence a breach of trust between local fishermen (who were originally supportive of the MPAs), local Government and NGO groups. However, the Hong Kong government expressed their commitment to expanding the area's marine protected areas and improving enforcement." emphasised Sharon Kwok Pong of AquaMeridian Conservation & Education Foundation.
According to #146 of the Chief Executive's Policy Address 2018, the Hong Kong Government "Will continue to take forward the measures under the New Agriculture Policy, including the works of the Agricultural Park Phase 1 to be commenced next year. We will recommend designating new fish culture zones at suitable locations, as well as resuming issuance of new marine fish culture licences, with a view to facilitating the change in mode of operation and sustainable development of the fisheries sector."
"Many people believe that taking care of the planet is the next generation's responsibility, but that's not true. It's our responsibility – right now – to create a better future for their children and grandchildren", says Dr Robert Lockyer, Hope Spot Champion.
Residents of the village are willing to help and stop egg poaching, etc. We want to reach out to them and get them engaged; that ecotourism is better than poaching.
"There are so many ways people can get involved. Diving groups can help with fishing net clean-up. On an individual level, people can reduce their consumption of fish."
"While Protecting Marine environment and marine life, we are actually protecting ourselves and our future generations. Reduce and cut wastes, Nature has no place for rubbish. Remove them." Says Professor John Wong, currently engaged in the marine sector with the Qatar Government.
"We're seeing life come back; we must push Hong Kong to fulfil their ocean protection goals and invest in a healthy future for our waters."
AquaMeridian's ultimate goal for this Hope Spot is that through fighting for its protection, Hong Kong's marine community would come together to inspire and educate future generations towards sustainable and responsible care of the area. From students who are rebuilding coral communities; divers who are shedding light on marine debris; to fishermen who must now heed sustainable fishing practices…every person can and must become a part of positive change.
About Mission Blue
Led by legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, Mission Blue is uniting a global coalition to inspire an upwelling of public awareness, access and support for a worldwide network of marine protected areas – Hope Spots. Under Dr. Earle's leadership, the Mission Blue team implements communications campaigns that elevate Hope Spots to the world stage through documentaries, social media, traditional media and innovative tools like Google Earth. Mission Blue embarks on regular oceanic expeditions that shed light on these vital ecosystems and build support for their protection. Mission Blue also supports the work of conservation NGOs around the world that share the mission of building public support for ocean protection. The Mission Blue alliance includes more than 250 respected ocean conservation groups and like-minded organizations.
About AquaMeridian Conservation & Education
Founded by artist, celebrity and avid marine conservationist, Ms. Sharon Kwok in 2013 and Peter Jackson, AquaMeridian Conservation and Education (AquaMeridian) is a registered Hong Kong-based non-profit organization that aims to educate and engage the public – particularly in Hong Kong – about wildlife conservation and sustainability issues through creative and cross-cultural programs. In 2018, AquaMeridian has become an official member of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
Contact:
Brett Loveman, Director of Communications
Mission Blue
[email protected]
Sharon Kwok, Executive Director
Aquameridian Conservation & Education
[email protected]
Dr Robert Lockyer, Environmentalist,
AquaMeridian Conservation & Education
[email protected]
Prof. John WongBoard of Directors,
AquaMeridian Conservation & Education
[email protected]
Folder of Supporting Scientific Data and Images taken within the Hong Kong South Hope Spot:
https://www.dropbox.com/home/Hong%20Kong%20South%20Hope%20Spot
Media Contact
Sharon Kwok Pong, AquaMeridian Conservation & Education Foundation, 852 90292008, [email protected]
Robert Lockyer, AquaMeridian Conservation & Education Foundation, 93725228, [email protected]
SOURCE AquaMeridian Conservation & Education Foundation
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