Reef Check 2005 - Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society

Last year, HKDCS again took part in Reef Check – an annual marine conservation event jointly organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Reef Check Foundation. A news conference was held on 3 December 2005 to announce the findings.

A total of 33 teams took part in Reef Check 2005 which is more than the previous year. Our 18-membered team was made up of HKDCS members, dolphin ambassadors, committee members and other volunteers. We were allocated Tai She Wan in Sai Kung, the same as last year's and hence we had the advantage of being already familiar with the site.

One Sunday in September 2005, we set out to survey the corals in Tai She Wan. Those with Scuba licenses were responsible for underwater surveys whilst others helped out with preparation on board.

Upon arrival, the two members familiar with the site entered the water first to find a suitable place for the 100-meter transect line. Then the other divers entered the water to carry out surveys on fish, invertebrates as well as coral species.Once we had finished the survey, we went to Ung Kong Wan and had a great afternoon of water sports. The Reef Check results show that Tai She Wan is one of Hong Kong's coral hotspots with coral coverage as high as 55%. There was no significant coral bleaching and human damage, indicating that the coral colonies in Tai She Wan are in generally healthy condition. Besides corals, some coral fish species – including wrasse and butterfly fish – were also recorded.