1. Promoting Ecotourism in HK A case study ~ dolphin-watching activities in Hong Kong Samuel Hung Ka-yiu Director, HK Cetacean Research Project Editor-in-Chief, Hong Kong Discovery

2. Talk Outline  Modes of ecotourism in HK  Conservation of CWD in HK  Promoting DW activities in HK  From conservationist’s perspective  From commercial operator’s perspective  Difficulties and challenges of promoting ecotourism

3. Modes of Ecotourism in HK  Wildlife watching  Birds  Insects (Butterfly, Dragonfly)  Plants (mangrove, herb, organic farm, etc.)  Dolphin and Terrestrial Mammals  Coral and Underwater Lives  Intertidal Organisms  Geology  Cultural heritage

4. Bird Watching  >450 species of birds in HK  Common and Resident  Migrant (summer & winter)  Places to watch: Mai Po, Tai Po Kau, Kowloon Park, Long Valley, Nam San Wai, etc.

5. Insect Watching  236 species of butterflies  Places to watch: Sha Lo Wan, Shing Mun, Fan Lau, Siu Lan Shui, etc.  111 species of dragonflies  Places to watch: Sha Lo Tung, Sai Kung, etc.

6. Plant Watching  Flowering plants  Herb with medicinal value  Mangrove and wetland plants  Organic farm visit

7. Dolphin & Mammal Watching  Chinese white dolphins & finless porpoises  Terrestrial mammals

8. Coral and Underwater Lives  Over 80 species of stony corals  Other underwater lives  Coral fish, nudibranch, starfish, crab, sea horse, sea cucumber…  Places to go: Ho Hai Wan, Tung Ping Chau, Port Shelter

9. Geology Trip  Granite and Sedimentary Rocks  Different geological features  Places to go: Ma Shi Chau, Tung Ping Chau, Bluff Head, Port Island, Pat Sin Leng, Sai Kung Peninsula, Po Toi

10. Conservation of CWD in HK Chinese white dolphin ~ a.k.a. Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin

11. Conservation of CWD in HK Construction of Chek Lap Kok New Airport prompted the beginning of dolphin research in HK

12. Conservation of CWD in HK Long-term Monitoring Project on Chinese white dolphin including: boat survey, land-based observation stranding investigation programme

13. Conservation of CWD in HK Distribution of CWD in HK (mostly in western waters of HK)

14. Conservation of CWD in HK Abundance of Chinese white dolphin (78 – 217 dolphins in HK)

15. Conservation of CWD in HK Color Development of Chinese white dolphin

16. Conservation of CWD in HK Threats to local dolphins and porpoises Fishery BycatchWater Pollution Underwater Noise Vessel Collision Habitat LossDolphinwatching Activities

17. Promoting Dolphinwatching in HK  From conservationist’s perspective  A tool to educate the public  Provide a platform to conduct research  Generate income to support research

18. Promoting Dolphinwatching in HK  From operator’s perspective  Generate profits  Educate the public ~ social responsibility  Contribute to dolphin conservation

19. Promoting Dolphinwatching in HK  Dilemma…  Chasing dolphin in high speed and delibrately  Several boats encircle a group of dolphins  Throw fish and trash in waters  Inexperience onboard tour guide  Not knowing code-of-conduct at all !!!

20. Promoting Dolphinwatching in HK  Solutions…  Establish dolphin-watching code-of-conduct  More law enforcement (Wild Animals Protection Ordinance)  Educate the public in choosing good operators  Forming a coalition of DW operators

21. Promoting Ecotourism in HK  Difficulties and challenges ahead…  Inexperienced tour guide  Not enough training opportunities  Big gap between good concept and real world  Quality of participants (expectation…)

22. Promoting Ecotourism in HK  Difficulties and challenges ahead…  Not enough regulations  Deterioration of natural environment  Not enough education & public awareness  To HKTB or government officials: “Please don’t help us before learning What Is Ecotourism First…”