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In 2002, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive directed the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to prepare a draft map for a Marine Park around the Soko Islands, to protect the important inhabitants of these waters. This includes Chinese white dolphins, Finless porpoises and important fishery spawning and nursery grounds.

However, in 2006, China Light and Power announced plans to build a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Receiving Terminal at South Soko Island, seemingly ignoring the previous endorsement of the area as a Marine Park.

To address the issue and underline the massive loss to marine ecology this would cause, WWF engaged in extensive dialogue with the Hong Kong Government and launched the No go at Soko campaign to help make the public aware of this threat. Part of this involved urging the government to first seek alternatives, and in this regard, the effort achieved a successful breakthrough.

Over 20,000 signatures supporting WWF's petition were submitted during the Environmental Impact Assessment public consultation period. However, CLP’s EIA was approved by the government despite public opposition.

Before the government’s approval of CLP’s financial plan for the project, the Hong Kong Government secured supply of natural gas for another 20 years from mainland China – effectively reducing the need for the LNG terminal at Soko. The decision was recognised in the Chief Executive’s speech as great news to local ecology.

While this alleviates the immediate threat, WWF continues to urge the government to designate the Soko Islands Marine Park and the Southwest Lantau Marine Park immediately to ensure long-term protection for the marine mammals and fish in those waters.