The Nature Conservancy (TNC) aims to restore Hong Kong's lost shellfish reefs to increase local biodiversity and fish production, improve water quality and enhance natural coastal defenses against storms. Led by TNC's expertise in restoring shellfish reefs in over 150 sites globally, we have led pioneering shellfish reef restoration efforts with stakeholders in local communities across Deep Bay to develop conservation and sustainable development solutions since 2017.

In 2021, with the support from the Swire Trust, Marine Conservation Enhancement Fund (MCEF) and local community partners, we launched a new project: "Managing Pak Nai's Ecologically Important Habitats to Preserve its Natural Beauty and Sensitive Biodiversity".

Historically, Pak Nai was a site for traditional benthic oyster farms cultivated by local villagers. Though this traditional method of oyster farming is no longer in use, the mudflats of Pak Nai remain an ecological hotspot where endangered horseshoe crab and seagrass species can be found. However, Pak Nai is currently statutorily unprotected and unmanaged, leaving it exposed to increasing threats such as unsustainable tourism and rampant spreading of invasive species.

Under the Pak Nai project, TNC is working to scale up and expand our conservation goals:

  1. To conduct scientific research and ecological monitoring such as sediment research, habitat mappings and horseshoe crab monitoring;
  2. To carry out active conservation management work such as reconfiguring abandoned oyster farms, removal of invasive cordgrass and clearing of aquaculture debris and marine litter; and
  3. To promote sustainable tourism behavior and increase public awareness of oyster reefs through school sharing, public talks, educational tours, university ambassador trainings, educational panels set-up and community meetings with local stakeholders.

As of December 2023, TNC and volunteers have restored more than 6,550m2 of abandoned oyster farms, removed 2,500m2 of invasive cordgrass pitches and removed 3,000kg of aquaculture debris and marine litter in Pak Nai.

Pak Nai is situated in the northwest of Hong Kong, facing Deep Bay. It is renowned for its stunning sunsets, but it also boasts abundant natural resources and biodiversity. Pak Nai is an ecological hotspot that encompasses oyster reefs, mudflats, seagrass beds, mangroves, and an estuary. It serves as crucial breeding and nursery grounds for endangered horseshoe crabs and seagrass species.Pak Nai has a historical significance as a site for traditional benthic oyster farms. However, it is currently lacking statutory protection and proper management, which makes it vulnerable to various threats, including the spread of invasive species, unsustainable tourism, and illegal use of snake fishing cages.Public outreach activities and educational tours are integral components of TNC's community conservation approach to safeguard Pak Nai.With the assistance of public volunteers, a total of 6,550 square meters of abandoned oyster farms in Pak Nai have been reconfigured as of December 2023.With the help of public volunteers, more than 2,500m2 of invasive Spartina cordgrass pitches have been removed in Pak Nai, as of December 2023. TNC trains university students as ambassadors to support on-site management efforts, including the clean-up of aquaculture debris. As of December 2023, TNC and volunteers have successfully removed 3,000 kilograms of aquaculture debris and marine litter from Pak Nai.TNC conservationists regularly carry out horseshoe crab population surveys to monitor the outcomes of our conservation efforts. A positive trend of increasing horseshoe crab population has been observed in Pak Nai over a three-year period, starting from the summer of 2021.With shellfish reef restoration in over 150 sites globally, TNC is now reconfiguring the abandoned oyster farm into more natural, three-dimensional structures for oyster larvae to settle, growth into reef structures, as well as restoring most of the farm areas into natural and exposed mudflats for the benefits of soft shore organisms. TNC trains university students as ambassadors to conduct sustainable tourist surveys and promote responsible tourism behavior among visitors to Pak Nai.
Principal Investigator Ms. Marine Thomas, Mr. Tom Chan, Ms. Sheila Wong
Affiliation The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Hong Kong
Co-investigators Appstore, A Plastic Ocean Foundation, Ha Pak Nai Education Centre Limited, Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, Outdoor Wildlife Learning Hong Kong, The Swire Group Charitable Trust, WWF-Hong Kong
Period 2021 – present
Website https://www.tnc.org.hk/en-hk/what-we-do/hong-kong-projects/managing-pak-nai-ecologically-important-habitats/
Funding Source The Swire Group Charitable Trust and Marine Conservation Enhancement Fund

Information Source: The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Hong Kong

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