Hong Kong to review tourist capacity and marine protection amid coral damage
City leader John Lee urges balance between environmental protection and tourism after coral damage off Sharp Island during ‘golden week’
Hong Kong authorities will assess the capacity of some popular tourist hotspots and step up efforts to educate visitors, aiming to balance environmental protection with tourism, following incidents of visitors trampling on coral in a geopark during the “golden week” holiday.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu revealed on Tuesday that his administration was conducting a study that would include ecologically important sites within marine park protected areas to strengthen coastal conservation.
Lee announced the measures after a government investigation found that about four square metres (43 sq ft) of coral reefs at Sharp Island in Sai Kung had been damaged by tourists during mainland China’s National Day golden week holiday earlier this month.
Tourists were seen trampling on coral while snorkelling and digging up marine organisms. Environmentalists warned that the damaged coral reefs in the Unesco-listed geopark could take years to recover.
Lee said Hong Kong has many attractive natural environments that appealed to both locals and tourists, and that the government would enhance management to “ensure necessary protection to the environment while maintaining balance.”
“Relevant departments are studying popular tourist destinations to assess their carrying capacity, develop corresponding control measures, and strengthen management,” Lee said before meeting the Executive Council, the government’s top decision-making body.
He added that transport arrangements at various locations were being reviewed as part of broader long-term planning.