AFCD will use drones to support staff monitoring tourists on Sharp Island durng the May Day holiday
During the National Day Golden Week holiday last year, the number of visitors to Sharp Island exceeded 4,000 per day. During this period, it was reported that tourists were trampling on corals and illegally fishing for marine life. Jim Chu Chun-wa, assistant director for fisheries and marine conservation, said the department estimated a daily peak of 1,000 visitors on the island during the upcoming holiday.
Chu revealed that the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has collaborated with the World Wildlife Fund Hong Kong (WWF) to arrange two snorkelling guides and three canoe guides to patrol the nearshore waters daily. They remind snorkellers to follow coral-friendly routes when entering the water, avoid trampling on corals, and guide visitors to less crowded areas to enhance the viewing experience while protecting the coral ecosystem. Additionally, drones are to be used to monitor visitor activities and the coastal conditions hourly, allowing for flexible allocation of manpower for follow-up.
Tourists have been accused of disturbing the local wildlife during previous long holiday weekends
Senior marine conservation officer Dr Janet Lee Ka-wai commented that since snorkellers may trample on corals when entering the shallow waters near the shore, the department has set up banners in areas where it is not advisable to enter the water near the shore. It has also arranged with WWF to place markers on the water surface to clearly indicate areas where it is not advisable to enter or exit the water.
Coral-friendly route maps are printed on waterproof cards and distributed to snorkelling guides for explanation; mini waterproof cards will be distributed to snorkelers so they can carry them with them for reference while snorkelling
Coral-friendly route maps will be handed out to visitors by AFCD Photos: AFCD
In addition, the department printed a coral-friendly route map on waterproof cards and distributed them to snorkelling guides for explanation, and also distributed mini-version cards to snorkellers. The back of the cards lists snorkelling rules for their convenience while snorkelling. Based on the map, the department set up signs on the island sandbar and posted banners conveying marine conservation information and nature appreciation rules on the island sandbar and the island’s pier to promote marine conservation information to visitors.
Lydia Pang, Head of Oceans Conservation at WWF-Hong Kong, said that the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and WWF will set up a public education booth in Sharp Island from 1 – 3 May. Through interactive methods such as games and coral pictorial cards, the booth will enhance visitors’ understanding of corals and ecology and promote the conservation message of “do not touch, do not trample”.
Chu added that the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will conduct publicity and education through mainland social media platforms, including the Hong Kong Government Information Services Department’s Tamar Terrace Little Red Book, the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Economic and Trade Office in the Mainland WeChat Official Account, and the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Little Red Book, calling on the public to work together to protect this “Shangri-La”.
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