An estimated 85% of oyster reefs have vanished around the world due to coastal development, pollution, overharvesting, and climate change. These ecosystems are vital for healthy oceans, thriving fisheries, coastal resilience, and are deeply rooted in local culture. Today, however, oyster reefs are among the most endangered marine habitats in the world and there is an urgent need to restore them.
Only about 6% of Hong Kong’s marine waters are protected, far below the global target of 30%, leaving critical ecosystems such as oyster reefs vulnerable to further degradation. To bring awareness to the issue, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has launched its inaugural roving exhibition, “Reviving Hong Kong’s Ocean Heritage: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs.”
Through immersive and interactive displays, as well as virtual reality experiences, the exhibition explores the ecological, cultural, and historical importance of oyster reefs — and the inspiring local efforts underway to restore them.
Oysters are natural “ecosystem engineers”. At summer temperatures, the TNC said, a single adult local oyster can filter up to 960 liters of water a day–even more for Hong Kong oyster (Magallana hongkongensis). This improves water quality and supports diverse marine life. Their reefs provide shelter for a wide range of marine species and act as natural buffers against coastal erosion. This alarming decline threatens not only marine biodiversity, but the health and resilience of our entire ocean system.
“Oyster reefs are nature’s unsung heroes, they play a vital role in improving water quality, supporting marine biodiversity, and protecting our coastlines.” said Anthony Gao, Executive Director of TNC Hong Kong and Regional Partnerships. “Yet in Hong Kong, their ecological importance has largely been forgotten. This exhibition is a timely opportunity to raise public awareness and inspire action to restore these essential habitats.”
By showcasing the importance of oyster reef conservation, the exhibition seeks to spark greater public awareness and support for enhanced protection of Hong Kong waters and endangered marine habitats. This is particularly timely as the Hong Kong government is currently updating its Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) and asking for the public’s views on the HKSAR’s biodiversity protection policy.
The exhibition offers a multi-sensory learning experience that allows visitors to explore the ancient history of oysters farming in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta and the ecological importance of oyster reefs. Exhibition highlights include a full-scale traditional oyster farming model featuring oyster poles from Deep Bay, water filtration demonstration video, and a coastal resilience simulation showcasing how oyster reefs stabilize shorelines. Visitors can also examine real specimens to learn about marine biodiversity, immerse themselves in a virtual reality journey to Deep Bay and Pak Nai, and play an augmented reality game to restore digital oyster habitats.
Additionally, alongside its conservation and community partners, TNC is submitting recommendations for the enhanced protection and management of the Coastal Protection Park (CPP), a new conservation area earmarked within the Northern Metropolis. The group is advocating to make the CPP a world-class protected area that is well-managed, enhances biodiversity and restores thriving climate-resilient ecosystems, promotes equitable development and respects local communities, supports traditional livelihoods such as sustainable oyster farming, and connects people with nature through qualitative ecotourism.
2025 also marks the 20th anniversary of TNC’s Reef Resilience Network–a global platform that has trained over 55,000 marine professionals in 92 countries and provides science-based tools to more than a million users annually.
