List of Projects Funded by the Marine Ecology Enhancement Fund

Reference No. / Project Title	Project Description	Applicant Organisation	Funded Amount (HK$)	Completion Report
MEEF2017003 Reproductive Biology of the Dominant Octocoral Guaiagorgia in Hong Kong Western Waters	Octocorals play a very important role in the habitat, especially in west to southeastern waters of Hong Kong. This project aims to understand the relatively less known reproductive biology of octocorals (Guaiagorgia) in Hong Kong western waters in order to explain its abundance and potential mode of recruitments. This study is essential for the critical evaluation of the ecological importance of this octocoral and how it has become thus far the most dominant structural forming species in Hong Kong western waters.	The Chinese University of Hong Kong	499,650
MEEF2017004 Revealing cryptic faunal biodiversity in Hong Kong western waters using environmental DNA approach	This project aims to detect any undiscovered (cryptic) biodiversity using the high-throughput sequencing technique which allows the sequencing of trace environmental DNA (eDNA) left by the marine organisms in the area and by comparing the results with available marine biodiversity inventory in the western waters.	The Education University of Hong Kong	499,420
MEEF2017007 Monitoring of population dynamics of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in Lingding Bay of the Pearl River Delta region	The project aims to examine the latest situation of the Chinese White Dolphins (CWD) in Lingding Bay of the Pearl River Delta region, including their abundance and distribution pattern, as a comparison to past monitoring results in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) in the past decade. Individual ranging patterns, especially any cross-boundary movements, will also be examined using photo-ID technique. This allows a better understanding of the important habitats utilized by the dolphins. Appropriate management and conservation strategies may be derived and will be presented to authorities for better implementation of conservation measures for the PRE CWD population.	South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences	1,383,000
MEEF2017009 Contributing to Marine Spatial Planning: working with fishing communities to map areas of dolphin and active fishing gear overlap	This is a collaborative project with Hong Kong fishing communities to map fine scale interactions between fishing nets and dolphins in Hong Kong waters with a view to identifying areas of overlap.	SMRU (HONG KONG) Limited	849,500
MEEF2017014 Virtopsy for characterization and documentation of injury and death caused by human interaction, in stranded Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in the Hong Kong waters	This application is part of a multi-year project, aiming to apply virtopsy (scanning technology) on the characterization and determination of human interaction related injuries and death in stranded CWD, and to provide supplementary information to aid conventional dissection. The world first multidisciplinary database model of stranded cetaceans investigation will be established for geometric comparison of patterned injuries due to human interaction, thus providing a sound scientific basis for policy and management decisions in the Hong Kong waters.	Tung Wah College	1,002,120 (For Year 17/18)
MEEF2017015 Conservation Ecology of Chinese White Dolphins across the Pearl River Estuary Phase 2: Population Parameters, Socio-Demographic Structure and Habitat Requirements	This application is part of a multi-year project, aiming at developing a sound ecological framework for the conservation of CWD across the PRE region, from Hong Kong to the western reaches of the PRE. This Project investigates CWD in the Middle and Western reaches of the PRE and, along with continuous surveys in Eastern PRE, it will cohere and compare the findings across the region to determine what constitutes the CWD population in the complex coastal habitats of the PRE and neighbouring waters.	Cetacea Research Institute Limited	847,000 (For Year 17/18)