1459 / 2024-09-27 14:24:46

Fishing Survey at Marine Parks and Marine Reserve in Hong Kong Waters

Marine Protected Area, Fish, Hong Kong

Session 48 - Ecological and Socio-Economic Benefits of Marine Protected Areas

There are three Marine Parks and one Marine Reserve in the eastern waters of Hong Kong, and four existing Marine Parks in the western waters of Hong Kong, covering a total sea area of 6,117 hectares. To protect and conserve marine habitats and fisheries resources, fishing is prohibited in the Marine Reserve, while fishing activities in the Marine Parks are regulated. A commercial fishing ban has been fully implemented in four specified Marine Parks since the 1^st April 2022. In this study, we aim to assess the productivity of fisheries resources in marine protected areas (MPAs) of Hong Kong. Our methodology involved conducting quarterly fishing surveys across eight MPAs and their corresponding control stations, utilising gillnetting, hand lining, and long lining methods. We examined spatiotemporal variations in biomass, abundance, size, diversity, and trophic level. Additionally, we incorporated historical survey data to assess fisheries resource trends within MPAs and provide a preliminary evaluation of the fisheries resources under the new Fisheries Management Strategy (FMS) in MPAs of Hong Kong. The comprehensive analysis reveals the complex and dynamic nature of MPAs and their impact on fish communities. Each protected area demonstrates unique ecological characteristics, with varying degrees of effectiveness in supporting biodiversity, abundance, and biomass compared to their respective control stations. Seasonal variations are crucial in shaping the fish communities within these protected areas, highlighting the importance of long-term monitoring and adaptive management strategies. Integrating traditional survey methods with innovative techniques like eDNA analysis provides a more comprehensive understanding of fish diversity and ecosystem health. While these MPAs generally show positive trends in supporting fish populations, the varying results across different parameters indicate the need for continued research, targeted conservation efforts, and tailored management approaches to maximise the effectiveness of MPAs in preserving and enhancing marine biodiversity.