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 defences against storms. Led by TNC’s expertise in restoring shellfish reefs in over 150 sites globally, we constructed our first pilot oyster reef in Lau Fau Shan in 2018, with the objective to understand the impacts of restoration on local biodiversity. In 2019, TNC established a second pilot site in Tolo Harbour using recycled oyster shells, the preferred substrate for new oysters to settle and grow on.
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 2024, TNC and volunteers have restored more than 8000m2 of abandoned oyster farms, removed 2600m2 of invasive cordgrass pitches and removed 3000kg of aquaculture debris and marine litter in Pak Nai.
Community partners of TNC in Pak Nai:
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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
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Recycling oyster shells from restaurants to benefit nature
Get to understand TNC “Save Our Shells” Initiative
Rewilding Our Ocean
The Nature Conservancy Hong Kong announced that its pilot Shellfish Habitat Restoration Project in Tolo Harbour has shown progress.
Hong Kong Oyster Restoration
TNC restores oyster reefs in Hong Kong to improve water quality, increase local fish production, and educate the public about the importance of these marine habitats.
