Survey finds Hong Kong coral healthy

With 72% coral coverage in two sites and 23 of the 25 sites with more than 50% coverage, a recent survey considered the corals of Hong Kong healthy.
Coral bleaching and some coral damage was observed at some sites but the impact was minor and localised.

Hong Kong coral healthy: survey
Hong Kong's Information Services Department news.gov.hk 20 Dec 08

Corals in Hong Kong are healthy and stable, with 23 out of 34 sites surveyed recording high coral coverage, according to the results of the Hong Kong Reef Check 2008.

Gruff Head and Coral Beach at Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park and A Ma Wan at Tung Ping Chau Marine Park recorded the highest coral coverage, at about 72%.

The three-month survey, conducted from June, covered the coral sites in eastern Hong Kong waters from Tung Ping Chau in the north to the Ninepin Group in the south, including three Marine Parks - Hoi Ha Wan, Yan Chau Tong and Tung Ping Chau.

The survey revealed a variation in coral coverage ranging from 20% to 72%. Twenty-three sites recorded high coral coverage, at above 50%.

Corals at 25 sites were assessed using a specially designed health monitoring chart. The average health index was 4.27, similar to last year's 4.16 figure, showing corals are in healthy and stable condition.

Coral bleaching and some coral damage was observed at some sites but the impact was minor and localised. The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department will closely monitor the situation and enhance publicity and education on coral conservation.

More links

Hong Kong Corals on the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong with more about Hong Kong Reefcheck and the 2008 results with full 2006 results.