The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) today announced the preparation and deployment of management work at ecotourism hotspots during the Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week period.
High Island Reservoir East Dam
To prevent visitors from approaching dangerous areas beyond the Po Pin Chau viewing platform, the AFCD, in collaboration with the Architectural Services Department, has completed the installation of additional railings at the viewing platform.
During the Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week, in addition to the deployment of additional staff for daily patrol and enforcement, the AFCD will use drones equipped with broadcasting functions to conduct surveillance regularly from above the Po Pin Chau viewing platform and remind visitors not to cross the railings.
Temporary crowd control measures will be implemented at the entrance of the High Island Geo Trail – Po Pin Chau Section when necessary.
Campsites at Ham Tin Wan, Sai Wan, and Long Ke Wan in Sai Kung
Additional AFCD staff will be deployed day and night to patrol, be stationed, enforce regulations against violations, and use drones and CCTV systems to assist in monitoring.
The AFCD will provide strainers for collecting food residue outside the Ham Tin public toilet and will, on a trial basis, lend small grill stands to campers in need at Ham Tin Wan and Sai Wan campsites.
Sharp Island and Shui Hau on Lantau Island
The coastal areas of Sharp Island and Shui Hau on Lantau Island are currently not designated as country parks, marine parks, or marine reserves. The AFCD is currently promoting environmental protection awareness among visitors through publicity and education.
It has installed footfall counters at the pier of Sharp Island and will use drones to monitor the beach and coastal areas.
Additional AFCD staff will patrol along the coastline daily, co-ordinating with the kaito ferry schedule and daytime low tide periods. Frontline staff will immediately advise and explain correct practices to visitors upon spotting any potential behaviours that could cause ecological damage.
At the beach and coastal areas, the AFCD will collaborate with the WWF-Hong Kong to set up public education booths to promote marine conservation messages. Snorkelling guides and kayaking guides will also patrol the nearshore waters to remind snorkelers to avoid trampling on corals.
The AFCD has also installed footfall counters at Shui Hau on Lantau Island to monitor visitor flow. During the holiday, the AFCD staff will patrol the Shui Hau sandflat and use drones to monitor the sandflat and nearby coastal areas.
Working in collaboration with the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong, the AFCD at the Shui Hau sandflat will set up an educational booth, distribute conservation leaflets, and engage visitors with information on how to protect horseshoe crabs and the surrounding coastal environment.
