Millions of oysters on city’s coastline could help clean up Hong Kong’s polluted waters, according to new marine ecology plan
- Team of HKU researchers aims to put in place 5 to 10 million oysters over the next three to five years
- The natural purifiers can filter between 200 and 500 litres of water a day and remove microscopic toxic algae that kill marine life
A plan to deploy millions of oysters along Hong Kong’s coastlines could help clear up the city’s waters to nurture a more vibrant ecosystem, according to a proposal by a marine ecologist.
Inspired by the success of New York’s “Billion Oyster Project” – an initiative aimed at restoring the shellfish to New York’s harbour – a team of researchers from the University of Hong Kong aims to plant between 5 and 10 million oysters within the next three to five years.
Education will also be a core component of the project, as students will take part.
A priority area will be Tolo Harbour in Tai Po, notoriously plagued by red tide, or algal blooms.
Oysters, as filter feeders, are natural purifiers, able to remove toxic microscopic algae from the water. A single adult oyster can filter between 200 and 500 litres of water a day.
“Imagine if we put in enough oysters that can filter the water once every few days. It can bring about big changes to water quality,” said Kenneth Leung Mei-yee, an HKU professor of aquatic ecology and toxicology, who is leading a 25-member steering committee for the project, which will be launched early next year.
