History

© Ellen Shek

WWF has been working with the Hong Kong SAR Government to establish marine parks and reserves in Hong Kong since 1988. After eight years of active involvement and support - to the Government in drawing up guidelines and enabling legislation for marine parks and reserves, the bay at Hoi Ha Wan was designated as one of Hong Kong's first marine parks in July 1996.

The Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park is located to the north of the Sai Kung West Country Park, and is unique in having such a diverse variety of marine life within a relatively small bay. It is also the only marine park in Hong Kong with direct road access. Visitor traffic is carefully monitored to prevent uncontrolled tourism putting undue pressure on the sensitive and fragile marine and coastal environments.

In order to promote marine conservation and provide continuing, hands-on environmental education, WWF has created the 'Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre'.

Objectives from 2007 to 2011

1. Promote actions for conservation of Hong Kong's marine environment and heritage through education and awareness building among the key target audience
2. Complement the Hong Kong SAR Government Marine Parks Authority management infrastructure for the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park
3. Gradually develop the MLC into a regional training center for natural marine resources management
4. To be an instrument for marine research in order to promote conservation of Hong Kong's marine environment

Centre Above the Water

The Jockey Club HSBC WWF Hong Kong Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre was established in 2003 and the first school programme, targeted at secondary school students, was launched in September 2004. With the generosity of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, renovation work of the Centre was completed in October, 2007.

© Ellen Shek

© WWF

To protect the shallow water coral community, the 834m² Marine Life Centre was constructed over an area of coral free seabed. Located at the eastern side of the headland, it connects to a footpath that runs through the Country Park. During construction, special building methods were used to limit environmental damage, such as the piles being bored into the seabed rather than pile driven, to avoid mud sediment settling on the corals and killing them. Most of the superstructure was prefabricated off-site, brought in by barge and then placed in position by crane to minimise the pollution, rubbish and noise.

Design elements, such as the pitched roof and overhanging eaves, blend in well with traditional village architecture; while the natural earth toned colours of the Centre compliment the surrounding rural environment.

Glass-bottomed Boat

© Leung Wai Ki

Our specially designed shallow draft Glass-bottomed Boat, named the Transparency, is the first of its kind in Hong Kong. It seats 40 passengers in comfort while giving them a rare opportunity to experience Hoi Ha Wan's unique and diverse marine environment.