Corals in Hong Kong are healthy and stable, with 21 out of 33 sites surveyed recording high coral coverage, according to the results of the Hong Kong Reef Check 2010.
The public pier, Coral Beach at Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park and Sharp Island North recorded the highest coral coverage, ranging from 73% to 78.1%.
The three-month survey, which started on June 3, covered extensive marine areas, including 33 sites of ecological importance in the eastern part of Hong Kong waters extending from Tung Ping Chau in the north to Ninepin Groups in the south, and including three marine parks - Hoi Ha Wan, Yan Chau Tong and Tung Ping Chau.
The survey revealed a variation in coral coverage ranging from 30% to 78.1%. Twenty-one of them, including dive sites within marine parks, recorded high coral coverage, at above 50%.
Most of the survey sites boast high species diversity. Of the 20 assigned indicator species, 19 were recorded, the same as last year.
Corals at 11 sites were assessed and the average health index was 4.54 similar to last year's 4.31 figure, showing corals are in healthy and stable condition.
Coral bleaching and some coral damage were observed at a few sites but the impact was minor and localised.
