Create more ‘no-take’ zones in Hong Kong marine parks, says campaigner Sharon Kwok
The former actress believes the move will allow coral and fish populations to regenerate and flourish; a lawmaker thinks government is paying lip service to conservation
Former Hong Kong film actress turned marine conservationist Sharon Kwok Sau-wan has launched an online petition calling on the government to expand the areas in marine protected areas where fishing is totally banned.
Kwok launched the petition through her foundation, Aquameridian Conservation and Education, with the hope of getting the government to designate 10 per cent of the city’s southern and eastern waters as marine protected areas, allowing coral and fish populations to regenerate and flourish.
The government currently has four marine parks and one marine reserve. However, only the Cape D’Aguilar Marine Reserve and core areas in the Tung Ping Chau Marine Park are designated “no-take” zones. Three more marine parks have been proposed by the government, with one expected to be set up by the end of the year. However, none have designated “no-take” areas.
Since a trawling ban was put in place by the government in 2013, fish reserves have rebounded. Kwok believes “no-take” zones will not only allow fish stocks to rebound, but also allow these areas’ biodiversity to flourish.
