Ocean Park coral exhibition draws one million visitors in Hong Kong
A coral restoration exhibition at Ocean Park's Grand Aquarium, backed by over HK$3.5 million from the Environment and Conservation Fund, has attracted more than one million visitors. The initiative combines rehabilitation with public education, featuring 12 native coral species and workshops at the
Hong Kong is stepping up efforts to protect its marine biodiversity through coral restoration and public education initiatives. At Ocean Park's Grand Aquarium, a specialised coral exhibition backed by the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) has drawn over one million visitors, according to a report by The Standard.
Awarded more than HK$3.5 million from the ECF, the display showcases 12 hard and soft coral species native to local waters. The exhibition acts as both a rehabilitation ground and a living classroom. The funding also covered renovations to other aquarium facilities and the establishment of the Coral Ecology and Conservation Discovery Centre, now a key venue for coral rehabilitation and public education.
The initiative relies on a collaborative framework. The Chinese University of Hong Kong collects coral fragments from local waters and provides scientific expertise, while Ocean Park offers quality care facilities. Healthy, cultivated fragments will eventually be transplanted back into southern Hong Kong waters to rebuild depleted coral communities.
Complementing the exhibition, the Coral Ecology and Conservation Discovery Centre runs immersive STEAM workshops for students and the public. The centre aims to raise awareness about marine conservation and the importance of coral ecosystems.
ECF committee chairman Eric Cheng Kam-chung noted that the fund has distributed over HK$4.7 billion across more than 7,200 environmental projects over 32 years. He said the fund will steer future efforts toward local green transitions and the Hong Kong Climate Action Plan 2050.