Promoting Promoting Ecotourism in HKEcotourism in HKA case study ~ dolphin-watching A case study ~ dolphin-watching activities in Hong Kongactivities in Hong Kong

Samuel Hung Ka-yiu Director, HK Cetacean Research Project Editor-in-Chief, Hong Kong Discovery

Talk OutlineTalk Outline

Modes of ecotourism in HKModes of ecotourism in HK

Conservation of CWD in HKConservation of CWD in HK

Promoting DW activities in HKPromoting DW activities in HK From conservationist’s perspectiveFrom conservationist’s perspective From commercial operator’s perspectiveFrom commercial operator’s perspective

Difficulties and challenges of promoting Difficulties and challenges of promoting ecotourismecotourism

Modes of Ecotourism in HKModes of Ecotourism in HK

Wildlife watchingWildlife watching BirdsBirds Insects (Butterfly, Dragonfly)Insects (Butterfly, Dragonfly) Plants (mangrove, herb, organic farm, etc.)Plants (mangrove, herb, organic farm, etc.) Dolphin and Terrestrial MammalsDolphin and Terrestrial Mammals Coral and Underwater LivesCoral and Underwater Lives Intertidal OrganismsIntertidal Organisms

GeologyGeology Cultural heritageCultural heritage

Bird WatchingBird Watching

>450 species of birds in HK>450 species of birds in HK Common and ResidentCommon and Resident Migrant (summer & winter)Migrant (summer & winter) Places to watch: Mai Po, Tai Po Kau, KoPlaces to watch: Mai Po, Tai Po Kau, Ko

wloon Park, Long Valley, wloon Park, Long Valley, Nam San Wai, etc.Nam San Wai, etc.

Insect WatchingInsect Watching

236 species of butterflies236 species of butterflies Places to watch: Sha Lo Wan, Shing Mun, Fan Lau, Places to watch: Sha Lo Wan, Shing Mun, Fan Lau,

Siu Lan Shui, etc.Siu Lan Shui, etc.

111 species of dragonflies111 species of dragonflies Places to watch: Sha Lo Tung, Sai Kung, etc.Places to watch: Sha Lo Tung, Sai Kung, etc.

Plant WatchingPlant Watching

Flowering plantsFlowering plants Herb with medicinal valueHerb with medicinal value Mangrove and wetland plantsMangrove and wetland plants Organic farm visitOrganic farm visit

Dolphin & Mammal Dolphin & Mammal WatchingWatching

Chinese white dolphins & finless porpoisesChinese white dolphins & finless porpoises

Terrestrial mammalsTerrestrial mammals

Coral and Underwater Coral and Underwater LivesLives

Over 80 species of stony coralsOver 80 species of stony corals Other underwater livesOther underwater lives

Coral fish, nudibranch, starfish, crab, sea Coral fish, nudibranch, starfish, crab, sea horse, sea cucumber…horse, sea cucumber…

Places to go: Ho Hai Wan, Tung Ping ChaPlaces to go: Ho Hai Wan, Tung Ping Chau, Port Shelteru, Port Shelter

Geology TripGeology Trip

Granite and Sedimentary RocksGranite and Sedimentary Rocks Different geological featuresDifferent geological features Places to go:Places to go: Ma Shi Chau, Tung Ping Chau, Bluff Ma Shi Chau, Tung Ping Chau, Bluff

Head, Port Island, Pat Sin Leng, Sai Kung Peninsula, Po ToiHead, Port Island, Pat Sin Leng, Sai Kung Peninsula, Po Toi

Conservation of CWD in HKConservation of CWD in HK

Chinese white dolphin ~ a.k.a. Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin

Conservation of CWD in HKConservation of CWD in HK

Construction of Chek Lap Kok New Airport prompted the beginning of dolphin research in HK

Conservation of CWD in HKConservation of CWD in HK

Long-term Monitoring Project on Chinese white dolphin including: boat survey, land-based observation stra

nding investigation programme

Conservation of CWD in HKConservation of CWD in HK

Distribution of CWD in HK (mostly in western waters of HK)

Conservation of CWD in HKConservation of CWD in HK

Abundance of Chinese white dolphin (78 – 217 dolphins in HK)

Conservation of CWD in HKConservation of CWD in HK

Color Development of Chinese white dolphin

Conservation of CWD in HKConservation of CWD in HK

Threats to local dolphins and porpoises

Fishery Bycatch Water Pollution Underwater Noise

Vessel Collision Habitat Loss Dolphinwatching Activities

Promoting Dolphinwatching iPromoting Dolphinwatching in HKn HK

From conservationist’s perspectiveFrom conservationist’s perspective A tool to educate the publicA tool to educate the public Provide a platform to Provide a platform to

conduct researchconduct research Generate income to Generate income to

support researchsupport research

Promoting Dolphinwatching iPromoting Dolphinwatching in HKn HK

From operator’s perspectiveFrom operator’s perspective Generate profitsGenerate profits Educate the public ~ social responsibilityEducate the public ~ social responsibility Contribute to dolphin conservationContribute to dolphin conservation

Promoting Dolphinwatching iPromoting Dolphinwatching in HKn HK

Dilemma…Dilemma… Chasing dolphin in high speed and Chasing dolphin in high speed and

delibratelydelibrately Several boats encircle a group of dolphinsSeveral boats encircle a group of dolphins Throw fish and trash in watersThrow fish and trash in waters Inexperience onboard tour guideInexperience onboard tour guide Not knowing code-of-conduct at all !!!Not knowing code-of-conduct at all !!!

Promoting Dolphinwatching iPromoting Dolphinwatching in HKn HK

Solutions…Solutions… Establish dolphin-watching code-of-conductEstablish dolphin-watching code-of-conduct More law enforcement (Wild Animals More law enforcement (Wild Animals

Protection Ordinance)Protection Ordinance) Educate the public in Educate the public in

choosing good operatorschoosing good operators Forming a coalition of Forming a coalition of

DW operators DW operators

Promoting Ecotourism in Promoting Ecotourism in HKHK

Difficulties and challenges ahead…Difficulties and challenges ahead… Inexperienced tour guideInexperienced tour guide Not enough training opportunitiesNot enough training opportunities Big gap between good concept Big gap between good concept

and real world and real world Quality of participants (expectation…)Quality of participants (expectation…)

Promoting Ecotourism in Promoting Ecotourism in HKHK

Difficulties and challenges ahead…Difficulties and challenges ahead… Not enough regulationsNot enough regulations Deterioration of natural environmentDeterioration of natural environment Not enough education & public awarenessNot enough education & public awareness To HKTB or government officials: To HKTB or government officials:

“Please don’t help us before learning “Please don’t help us before learning What Is What Is Ecotourism First…”Ecotourism First…”