Hong
Kong is located on the southern coast of China. It has
a total sea area of about 1,650 km2 and its indented
coastline is about 800 kmlong. In the west, Hong Kong
is located near the Pearl River Estuary - while in the
east Hong Kong faces the open ocean of the South China
Sea. The marine lives in Hong Kong are widely distributed
and of high diversity. Many tropical and subtropical
species, like hard corals, are found widely distributed
on eastern side of Hong Kong. The western Hong Kong waters
are heavily affected by the freshwater discharge from
Pearl River, especially in the summer rainy season, which
dilutes the salinity of western waters. The hydrography
of Hong Kong provides different physical conditions and
high variety of marine habitats for diverse marine life.
The
Marine Parks Programme
Hong
Kong Government initiated a marine parks programme that
aims to protect Hong Kong's
marine environment from various kind of threats. The
Marine Parks Ordinance enacted in 1995 was a milestone
for local marine conservation. It provides for the
designation, control and management of Marine Parks and
Marine Reserves.
In July 1996, the enactment of the Marine Parks and
Marine Reserves Regulation provided for the management
of Marine
Parks and Marine Reserves, through controlling or prohibiting
certain activities inside these areas. Recreational
activities like snokelling, SCUBA diving, swimming, underwater
photography,
canoeing and sailing are allowed in Marine Parks area.
At the end of 2003, Hong Kong had four Marine Parks
and one Marine Reserve. They were: Cape D'Aguilar Marine
Reserve; Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park; Yan Chau Tong Marine
Park; Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park; and Tung
Ping Chau Marine Park.
