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| No.6 December, 2011 |
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HK corals healthy, stable |
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 Hong Kong Reef Check 2011 has found local corals are generally in a healthy and stable condition with high fauna diversity.
Co-ordinated by the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department and the Reef Check Foundation, the three-month survey started in June 2011 and covered 33 sites in eastern Hong Kong waters from Tung Ping Chau in the north to the Ninepin Group in the south, including the Hoi Ha Wan, Yan Chau Tong and Tung Ping Chau Marine Parks.
The survey method and data collection followed international standards. Reef Check divers recorded the indicator species, including 20 fish and invertebrates, coral coverage and health status. The data helps assess the coral condition and fauna diversity of a coral reef ecosystem over time.
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% to 77.5%, was recorded among 33 survey sites.
Twenty-three sites, including dive-sites within the Hoi Ha Wan, Yan Chau Tong and Tung Ping Chau Marine Parks, recorded high coral coverage (above 50%). Among all sites, Bluff Island and Sharp Island North recorded the highest coral coverage of 77.5%.
Out of the 20 assigned indicator species, 19 were recorded - the same as last year. Wrasses, groupers, butterfly fish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and cowries were species commonly found in the survey sites.
Corals at 11 sites were assessed using Coral Watch tool in Reef Check 2011. The average health index is 4.14 (ranging from 3.5 to 4.95). The results are similar to last year (4.54). 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.
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