Reference No. /
Project Title |
Project Description |
Applicant Organisation |
Funded Amount (HK$) |
Completion Report |
MEEF2017015D1
Conservation Ecology of Chinese White Dolphins across the Pearl River Estuary – Phase 4 (FINAL): Validation, Synthesis and Recommendations* |
This project is the final concluding phase of a multi-year project that over the past years has assembled an increasingly robust body of data and quantitative evidence to establish a scientifically-verifiable basis for formulating conservation priorities and strategizing management recommendations for Chinese White Dolphins across the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, from Hong Kong and Lingding Bay in the East to the westernmost reaches of the PRD. The project team will (a) validate the metapopulation model system by assembling a broad range of multifaceted (and quantitatively replicable) evidence, (b) will quantify the overall size of the complex population and its spatially-distinct sub-units, and estimate the subpopulation-specific survival rates, (c) quantify the reproductive dynamics and estimate most up-to-date population-specific reproductive parameters (essential component of species’ life history that so far has not been addressed), (d) will apply genetic tools to provide measures of gene flow and sex-specific dispersal, and to assist in identification of management units and priority units for conservation, and (e) will validate earlier population viability assessment (PVA), this time based on the most complete quantitative descriptors of the (meta)population. |
Cetacea Research Institute Limited |
988,400
(For Year 23/24) |
** |
MEEF2023003
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 |
490,025
(For Year 23/24) |
** |
MEEF2023004
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 23/24) |
** |
MEEF2023005
Unearth the forgotten cetaceans in Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area |
Cetaceans are worshipped by fishermen as sea gods and some of their bones are worshipped in Chinese temples across Hong Kong and Macau. This project aims to gather and document all the cetacean specimens scattered in temples and other locations in Hong Kong and Macau. Using morphological and molecular methods, cetacean specimens will be identified and incorporated into official stranding record for future studies and reference. Ecological and cultural knowledge of cetaceans, the local fishermen communities and other research findings will be consolidated into a documentary film, bringing the ancient bones in temples to the public eye to advocate awareness of marine ecology and conservation. |
City University of Hong Kong |
459,362
(For Year 23/24) |
** |
MEEF2023006
Assessing Ecological and Human Health Risks of Weathered Microplastics with Coexisting Organic Pollutants in Marine Water in Hong Kong |
This project aims to (1) examine and identify the characteristics and spatiotemporal distributions of microplastics (MPs) and weathered MPs in the marine environment of the North and South-West Lantau; (2) identify the adsorbed pollutants of MPs and weathered MPs in the marine environment of the North and South-West Lantau and assess their potential ecological risks; (3) examine the environmental transformation of MP weathering and assess the potential toxicity of weathered MPs and their adsorbed pollutants posed to aquatic organisms, especially Chinese White Dolphin; and (4) determine the related biological toxicity of the identified MPs and weathered MPs and their adsorbed pollutants in the marine environment of the North and South-West Lantau and assess their potential risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health via in vivo and in vitro experiments. The project will serve as the first comprehensive study for identifying the weathered MPs and their adsorbed pollutants and assessing their environmental risk on the aquatic organisms’ community and marine ecosystem and potential risks on Chinese White Dolphin and human health in the North and South-West Lantau, and perhaps more importantly, providing a feasible framework for mitigating and eliminating weathered MPs to protect our marine environment. |
The Education University of Hong Kong |
847,400
|
** |
MEEF2023008
Assessing the Ecological Impacts of Anthropogenic Activities on the Coastal Wetlands in Hong Kong from the Optical Properties of Sedimentary Dissolved Organic Matter |
This project aims to assess the ecological impact of anthropogenic activities on the sediments of Hong Kong coastal wetlands (e.g. mangroves, seagrass meadows, and tidal flats), by monitoring the optical and biochemical properties of sedimentary dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the coastal wetlands. Using the most advanced and rapid fluorescence spectrometer, the study will trace the source of DOM—an indicator of ecosystem health—in the sediment. In addition, by combining the carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes, chemical and physical bulk properties of DOM and the socio-economic parameters, the ecological impact of anthropogenic activities on the sediments in the coastal wetlands of Hong Kong will be also evaluated. The results will provide a theoretical basis for predicting and regulating the material cycle in the coastal wetlands, as well as formulating policy on the conservation and management of the Hong Kong coastal wetland ecosystem. |
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology |
718,500
|
** |
MEEF2023009
Smart Fish For Oceanic Microplastics Degradation In The Coastal Area |
The purpose of this project is to fill up the information gap on the potential contribution of tires abrasion by developing a prototype device to provide real-time sampling, detection, and degradation of tire wear particles around the coastal area of Lantau Island near Hong Kong International Airport. The prototype combines autonomous sampling using remote sensing and GPS technology, real-time detection of contaminants with treatment unit to mitigate microplastics problem in the region. This project will build a solid foundation in environmental protection and ocean science technology. The model allows flexible sampling in various coastal/ freshwater areas that is impossible for traditional sampling on cruise and provides good demonstration to the community through STEM education. |
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology |
469,400
|
** |
MEEF2023011
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 |
452,804
(For Year 23/24) |
** |
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