Hong Kong publishes draft law to protect whales in territorial waters
Hong Kong's government published a draft amendment to the Wildlife Protection Ordinance on 30 October 2026, proposing new powers to create temporary restricted zones for whale welfare and to give legal status to dolphin-watching guidelines. The bill will be introduced in the Legislative Council on 1
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government published the draft Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026 on 30 October, proposing new measures to protect cetaceans in the city's waters. The bill authorises the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to designate “temporary marine restricted areas” when necessary to safeguard the health or welfare of whales, dolphins and other cetaceans in specific zones.
Under the proposed law, restrictions or prohibitions on people, vessels and activities could be imposed within such areas. The bill also introduces new offences and enforcement powers for non-compliance with measures in restricted zones.
A government spokesman said: “The appearance of cetaceans, especially whales, often attracts high public attention and draws crowds seeking to watch them. Crowds and vessels near injured or stranded cetaceans can cause disturbance or distress, hinder rescue operations, and affect the safety of other sea users. The bill aims to empower the government to take appropriate restrictive measures flexibly and swiftly when necessary, enhancing the protection of cetaceans and the safety of other sea users.”
The bill also proposes granting legal status to the existing Code of Conduct for Dolphin Watching. Evidence of a breach of the code could be admitted in legal proceedings for offences under Section 4 of the Wildlife Protection Ordinance (Chapter 170), which covers hunting and intentional interference with protected wildlife. This is intended to facilitate enforcement and strengthen protection of locally resident dolphins.
The government consulted the Subcommittee on Nature Conservation under the Council for Environmental Advisory Committee and the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs on 30 June and 10 July 2026 respectively. Members of both bodies supported the proposed amendments. Other relevant stakeholders also broadly backed the legislative proposals.
The bill will be introduced for first and second readings in the Legislative Council on 11 November.