Reference No. /
Project Title |
Project Description |
Applicant Organisation |
Funded Amount (HK$) |
Completion Report |
MEEF2023003A
Sea turtle as an ocean health indicator of marine debris impact in the Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area* |
Sea turtles are often used as indicator species to evaluate the extent of marine debris pollution as well as umbrella species to promote public awareness on conservation issues. This project aims to establish standardised protocols for the quantitative assessment of the health status of stranded sea turtles and impacts of marine debris, for the first time, in the Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area using clinical diagnostics, virtopsy and necropsy. The standardised protocol will be disseminated to other agencies across the South China Sea to facilitate regional collaboration and research. The investigation and scientific findings will also be presented as a documentary to enhance knowledge and awareness of the public on sea turtles as flagship species and marine conservation at screenings and outreach events. |
City University of Hong Kong |
647,567
(For Year 24/25) |
** |
MEEF2023004A
Save Our Shells: Repurposing Shells to Reduce Landfill Waste and Restore Marine Habitats* |
As Hong Kong’s first shell recycling program, the “Save Our Shells” initiative plays a crucial role in bringing back Hong Kong’s lost shellfish reefs by supplying shell waste that can be used as a substrate for new living reefs. The project collects discarded shellfish shells from the local aquaculture and food industry and deploys them in reef restoration projects. Uncollected these shells would typically be destined for landfills or discarded as trash on the shoreline, as well as reducing waste restoring reefs also provides a boon of benefits. Shellfish reefs create habitat for juvenile fish and other marine life, stabilize shorelines and serve as natural filter feeders that improve local water quality. The project also increases public awareness of the importance of shellfish reefs and estuarine ecology by engaging volunteers and organizing activities to help collect and prepare collected shells for reef deployment. |
The Nature Conservancy Hong Kong Foundation Limited |
1,000,000 (For Year 24/25) |
** |
MEEF2023011A
Conservation of ardeids by understanding their foraging ecology through dietary investigation* |
Ardeids (herons, egrets, and bitterns) are one of the most important groups of waterbirds found locally and they form a part of the marine biodiversity in HKSAR. Common ardeid species include the great egret (Ardea alba) and the little egret (Egretta garzetta). It is concerning that the recent numbers of ardeid nests recorded in HKSAR and in the Deep Bay during their breeding seasons have been declining since 2020, with the number in the Mai Po Mangrove dropping most drastically in 2022. Despite no obvious cause for the decline, it is critical to understand more on the ecology of local ardeids, especially their predation habits and dietary composition. The knowledge on their prey species identities and sources will be crucial to the designation of more effective conservation actions, such as more focused monitoring and protection on their prey species and foraging habitats. With the advent of biotechnology, the project team propose to use DNA metabarcoding to investigate the dietary spectra of local ardeid species using their fecal samples collected underneath their colonies in e.g., Mai Po wetland. |
The University of Hong Kong |
491,223.6
(For Year 24/25) |
** |
MEEF2024001
Long-term monitoring of population dynamics of Chinese White Dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in Lingding Bay of the Pearl River Delta region: the third stage |
As a continuation of the Chinese White Dolphins (CWD) monitoring projects conducted during 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, this project aims to conduct another year-long vessel-based dolphin monitoring programme in Lingding Bay (LDB) of the Pearl River Delta region, with the purpose of examining the latest population parameters such as their abundance, distribution pattern and age composition, as a comparison to past monitoring results especially in recent years. Individual ranging patterns will be examined using photo-ID technique based on the combined photo-ID database collected from Lingding Bay. The fine-scale habitat use of CWD in LDB (including temporal changes in recent years) will also be investigated for a better understanding of the important habitats utilized by the dolphins. Appropriate management and conservation strategies could be derived and will be presented to relevant authorities for better implementation of conservation measures for the Pearl River Estuary CWD population. |
South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute (SCSFRI), Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences |
899,100
|
** |
MEEF2024004
Assessment of fish biodiversity and spatiotemporal spawning activity in the Western Hong Kong waters |
Regular and accurate identification and assessment of fish in Hong Kong waters is essential for effective resource management and conservation planning of fish and their symbiotic species (e.g. dolphins). This project will monitor spawning activity of fish in the eastern and southern Lantau island of the western Hong Kong waters through molecular identification of ichthyoplankton to (1) determine the spawning activity and of key fish species in the survey area, (2) assess the current state of fish biodiversity (3) uncover seasonal changes in fish spawning activity over the course of a year period, (4) determine key fish spawning hotspots with regards to current management practices, and (5) provide key insights for fish spawning stocks conservation and management in Hong Kong waters. |
The University of Hong Kong |
843,210
|
** |
MEEF2024010
Developing a non-invasive method to estimate the age of Chinese White Dolphins and Finless Porpoises using the DNA methylation rate |
This is part of a multi-year project aimed at developing a non-invasive method to estimate the age of Chinese White Dolphins (CWDs) and Finless Porpoises (FPs) in Hong Kong waters. The project aims to (1) develop an experimental protocol to measure the DNA methylation rate and estimate the age of CWDs using tissue-derived DNA, (2) apply the age estimation method to FPs using tissue-derived DNA, and (3) test the possibility of estimating the age of CWDs and FPs based on DNA methylation using environmental samples such as environmental DNA from the water and fecal DNA. This project will contribute to the development of cost-effective, non-invasive, and efficient methods to gain essential information to enable CWD and FP conservation in Hong Kong waters. |
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology |
273,600
(For Year 24/25)
|
** |
MEEF2024011
Evaluating the ecological impacts of microplastic pollution on blue carbon ecosystems in Hong Kong using molecular fingerprints |
This project aims to assess the ecological impacts of microplastic pollution on the sediment of Hong Kong's blue carbon ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrass meadows, and tidal flats. The project team will use the most advanced and rapid Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) technology to investigate the properties of microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) on a molecular level. The results of this study will contribute to predicting and regulating material cycling in blue carbon ecosystems and informing the development of conservation and management policies for Hong Kong's blue carbon ecosystems. |
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology |
712,500
|
** |
MEEF2024012
Exploring the mystery of Chinese Bahaba in Hong Kong western waters using revolutionary eDNA techniques |
Chinese Bahaba (Bahaba taipingensis) is a critically endangered fish species, recognized as a
Class I protected wild animal in China. This project uses the environmental DNA (eDNA)
approach as a rapid and non-invasive method to uncover the hidden population of Chinese
Bahaba in Hong Kong’s western waters. Through intensive eDNA sampling in the western
waters, the project team will utilize a targeted quantitative PCR (qPCR) to detect Chinese
Bahaba eDNA and trace its potential distribution, seasonality, and habitat preferences of
Chinese Bahaba. Furthermore, by incorporating eDNA metabarcoding approach, the project
team will gain a comprehensive understanding of the overall biodiversity of the ecosystem,
which will provide insights into the species composition, interactions, and potential threats
within the habitats associated with the Chinese Bahaba. |
Lingnan University |
578,540
(For Year 24/25) |
** |
MEEF2024018
3D Technology-Enhanced Aquatic Conservation Hub (3D TEACH): an artificial reef initiative for ecological restoration and conservation education |
The project aims to fabricate and deploy artificial reefs to restore the deteriorated ecological habitats in both the western waters and eastern waters in Hong Kong by leveraging 3D printing capabilities. The design of the artificial reefs incorporates specific platforms for transplanting “corals of opportunity”, which refers to dislodged coral fragments that would otherwise not survive, thereby facilitating ecological restoration efforts. The implementation of 3D printing, micro-CT and HiVE technologies in the 3D TEACH initiative serves as a compelling demonstration of how advanced technologies can be applied to marine ecological restoration and conservation education. |
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University |
891,000
|
** |
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