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AFCD coral census determines healthy growth and stability

2019-12-07T09:22:14.757Z


The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department announced today (7) that the results of the Hong Kong Coral Reef Census this year showed that overall coral growth was healthy and stable, and species diversity remained at a high level. Coral coverage rates at various census sites ranged from 10% to 82.5%, and 15 sites recorded coral coverage rates of over 50%. In addition, the survey also found that coral bleaching was recorded in individual locations, but the impact was only mild and localized. No destructive fishing operations were found in all census sites, but the discarded fishing nets were found in individual sites, and the impact was only minor.


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Written by: Hou Cailin

2019-12-07 17:13

Last updated: 2019-12-07 17:13

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department announced today (7) that the results of the Hong Kong Coral Reef Census this year showed that overall coral growth was healthy and stable, and species diversity remained at a high level. Coral coverage rates at various census sites ranged from 10% to 82.5%, and 15 sites recorded coral coverage rates of over 50%.

In addition, the survey also found that coral bleaching was recorded in individual locations, but the impact was only mild and localized. No destructive fishing operations were found in all census sites, but the discarded fishing nets were found in individual sites, and the impact was only minor.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department announced today (7) that the results of the Hong Kong Coral Reef Census this year showed that overall coral growth was healthy and stable, and species diversity remained at a high level. Picture shows a group of male fishes taken in Qiaozui. (Photo by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department)

Census up to 4 months in 33 locations

The AFCD announced today (7) that the results of the Hong Kong Coral Reef Census this year showed that overall coral growth was healthy and stable, and species diversity remained at a high level.

The "Coral Reef Census 2019" commenced in June and lasted for four months. The census covers a wide area, including a number of sites of important ecological value, covering the most coral growing areas in the eastern waters of Hong Kong. Chau Islands. Of the 33 census locations, nine are located in marine parks, including Hoi Ha Wan, Yin Chau Tong and Dong Ping Chau.

Coral coverage ranges from 10% to 82.5%

Coral coverage recorded at various census sites ranged from 10% to 82.5%. Fifteen sites recorded coral coverage of more than 50%. Five of these sites were located in Marine Parks, and Qiaozuizhou North recorded the highest. Coral coverage reached 82.5%.

The census also conducted "coral inspections" at nine assessment sites to find the concentration of coral pigments through specific coral health monitoring tables. The darker the coral, the better the health status. The average coral pigment index for this year was 3.96 (the index range was between 3.3 and 4.5). The results were similar to last year (4.04) and far exceeded the general average (3), indicating that coral health is good and persistent.

The investigation also found that coral bleaching was recorded in individual locations, but the impact was only slight and limited to local areas. There were no destructive fishing operations at all census locations, but there were cases where abandoned fishing nets were found in individual locations. Is slight. AFCD will arrange for contractors to clean up.

Investigation recorded creatures such as eyebrow, grouper, butterflyfish

Coral reef census methods and data collection models are in accordance with existing international standards. In addition to recording coral coverage and health status, divers are also required to record predetermined target species, including 20 species of fish and invertebrates. Because coral coverage is related to species diversity, census sites that record larger coral coverage often find more animal groups closely related to corals. The 20 designated indicator species were recorded in this census. The most common species are eyebrows, groupers, butterfly fishes, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and baby snails. The number of species recorded in most locations is large. Most of the groupers, eyebrows, fine scales and snappers were recorded in the Oxtail Sea in Saigon and in the northeastern waters of Hong Kong, including three marine parks.

Scientists rescue coral reef tricks to "broadcast" underwater to attract schools of fish

Study: Albino area of ​​coral bleaching and white wax larvae in six places was as high as nearly 60%

Ma Yi rushed into the Tianshuiwei Estate Agriculture and Fisheries Department and fled through the wall before arriving

Coral Conservation, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

Source: hk1

All news articles on 2019-12-07

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