Dapeng New Area is planning to build a national marine park and create the first coral-themed marine ecological system in the country.
By installing artificial coral reefs, Dapeng is striving to connect the coral reef communities in Da’ao Bay with those in the Tung Ping Chau sea area of Hong Kong, in the hopes of providing a good marine ecological environment for the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Dapeng New Area has commissioned marine protection organizations to install 68 artificial coral reefs and plant more than 13,000 coral seedlings in the sea area in recent years.
The new area said it will draw on the experience of Hong Kong’s marine parks and adopt tough protective measures to provide a good environment for the reproduction and growth of the coral reefs.
Dapeng has joined hands with Hong Kong Underwater Association to establish the first diving research base on the mainland, aiming to improve the awareness of marine environmental protection and encourage NGOs to participate in coral conservation.
At present, there are 39 diving organizations in the new area, most of which have joined the local public welfare group called Dive for Love.
Over the past two years, volunteers from the group have completed 12 cleaning operations and salvaged more than 448 kilograms of marine waste, including fishing nets, fishing cages and plastic bags.