International film and martial arts superstar Donnie Yen Ji-Dan (甄子丹) stars in the latest episode in the Nature is Speaking short film series by Conservation International. Coral Reef will premiere at a new exhibit at the HK Maritime Museum raising public awareness about the riches of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
Coral reefs sustain one quarter of all marine life and Asia’s Coral Triangle is the global epicenter of marine biodiversity. The Coral Triangle includes the marine areas of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste.
“This is a call to action. We believe this exhibit will inspire visitors as a call for hope, commitment and human ingenuity to turn the tide from destruction to restoration.” Jude Wu, Managing Director, Conservation International Hong Kong
Corals : Our Underwater Living Treasures
DATE : 8 June to 18 September
PLACE : HK Maritime Museum
ADDRESS : Central Ferry Pier 8, Central, HK
ORGANIZER : Conservation International
ENQUIRIES : ci-hongkong@conservation.org
PHONE : +852 3565 5226
The exhibition will include coral samples visitors can see and touch and opportunities to learn about where fresh fish were born and lived before arriving in Hong Kong. The Coral Triangle is home to over 500 species of reef-building corals and 3000 fish species — the global epicenter of marine biodiversity and half of the live reef food fish eaten in Hong Kong, including grouper, comes from there.
The exhibit will feature the science and solutions to human threats facing corals, including the warming due to climate change that leads to coral bleaching and increases susceptibility to disease.
“Hong Kong’s corals are remarkably resilient compared to species elsewhere and studying them may reveal secrets for coral survival globally.” Dr. David Baker, Assistant Professor, HKU
Dr Baker leads an international team of scientists piloting coral restoration in Hong Kong. Marine ecologists at the University of Hong Kong are developing cutting-edge methods to cultivate and restore coral communities. Efforts to restrict anchorage and create marine protected areas are underway to protect coral communities. Local sea life is already showing positive results from Hong Kong’s recent decision to ban trawl fishing, destructive to the ocean floor. Solutions such as sustainable fishing and reducing pollution from coastal development will be presented.
“Hong Kong has 84 hard coral species and 26 soft coral species, more than the entire Caribbean Sea.” Professor Gray Williams, Director of SWIMS
The exhibit will feature original graphical and video content along with coral skeleton samples obtained by scientists from within Hong Kong’s marine zone along with pieces from the Hong Kong Maritime Museum collection.
The Hong Kong Maritime Museum will conduct public lectures by coral experts and hands-on family activities for adults and children alike.
Corals: Our Underwater Living Treasures is sponsored by:
- Conservation International Hong Kong (CI-Hong Kong),
- Hong Kong Maritime Museum (HKMM)
- Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS)
- University of Hong Kong (HKU)
