Drone patrols and cross-border cooperation drive HK’s marine protection success

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) are utilizing drones to patrol and assist in water quality control in Mirs Bay – which recently selected by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment as one of the 12 "Outstanding Example of Beautiful Bays" nationwide – and to deepen cooperation between Guangdong and Shenzhen in jointly managing the marine environment.

Mirs Bay has water control zones that strictly monitor sewage discharge and has 9 water quality monitoring stations. Combined with drone patrols and intelligent monitoring systems as well as equipped with three brand-new scavenging vessels, the overall water quality compliance rate reaches 100 percent, meeting the Class I national seawater quality standards.

The bay's rich and diverse ecosystem is an important habitat for nationally protected wildlife. Most of Mirs Bay is a statutory protected area, including the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, Yan Chau Tong and Tung Ping Chau Marine Parks.

Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen have also established a notification mechanism on marine refuse, using a computer warning system developed by the EPD to strengthen regional monitoring, early warning, notification, and coordinated cleanup of marine debris across regions.

Director of Environmental Protection Samuel Chui Ho-kwong said it is the first time Hong Kong has received the commendation, reflecting the efforts of various departments to continuously improve the environment.

The next step will be to promote the Sai Kung Port Shelter, and the plan is to apply for the "Beautiful Bays" commendation within the year.

DeepSeek翻译（仅供参考）:

环境保护署与渔农自然护理署正运用无人机巡视，并协助监测近日入选国家生态环境部12个"美丽海湾"优秀案例之一的印洲塘水质，同时深化与广东、深圳的海洋环境共治合作。

印洲塘设有严格监控污水排放的水质管制区及9个水质监测站，配合无人机巡航与智能监测系统，并配备三艘新型海上清洁船，使整体水质达标率维持在100%，达到国家海水水质第一类标准。

该海湾生态系统丰富多元，是国家级保护野生动物的重要栖息地。印洲塘大部分区域属法定保护区，包括香港联合国教科文组织世界地质公园、印洲塘及东平洲海岸公园。

粤港深三地还建立了海上垃圾通报机制，运用环保署研发的电脑预警系统，加强跨区域海洋垃圾监测、预警、通报及协同清理工作。

环境保护署署长徐浩光表示，这是香港首次获此殊荣，反映了各部门持续改善环境的努力。下一步将重点推进西贡牛尾海项目，计划于今年内申请"美丽海湾"评选。

Source URL : Drone patrols and cross-border cooperation drive HK’s marine protection success | The Standard

https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/322272/

来源：The Standard