Your Voice: Bryde’s whale death reminds us to cherish Hong Kong marine life; lessons learned in travel (letters)

The recent Bryde’s whale incident in Hong Kong has sparked an important conversation about marine conservation. We must educate people to appreciate the many captivating sea creatures in our city’s waters, and I would like to start by introducing three marine species in Hong Kong that have ecological value and fascinating features.

Most Hongkongers have heard of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, commonly known as the Chinese white dolphin. But another interesting cetacean in our city’s waters is the Indo-Pacific finless porpoise, which is also called a “sea pig”. These animals have an adorable appearance. They do not possess dorsal fins, and their light grey colour darkens with age. The finless porpoise can be easily scared, so they are more difficult to spot than the Chinese white dolphin.

The moon jelly is one of the most common jellyfish in Hong Kong. They have a very simple anatomical structure, with no brain or heart. Still, they are fascinating. They have a soft translucent bell for their bodies, which can be blue, red or white in colour. The bell is made of a delicate material called mesoglea, which consists mostly of water.

Worried about their stings? Don’t worry, as moon jellies have relatively mild stings that can be treated by rinsing with vinegar. If you ever spot one, you can recognise its four horseshoe-shaped, pinkish reproductive organs that surround a square mouth.

Whale carcass found in Hong Kong with new wound

Platygyra corals are abundant in Hong Kong. As a hard coral, they have a ragged look with stunning colours ranging from brick-red, to brown or pale green. Some look like hills and valleys, while others look like castles under water. Hong Kong is the only place in the Indo-Pacific Ocean that is recorded as having massive Platygyra coral colonies. Most of them can be found in Hoi Ha Wan and Tung Ping Chau. It might come as a surprise that corals are not plants – they are animals!

These corals are also home to many other marine animals, as they provide fish with protection and food.

Staying curious and willing to learn more about marine life is a great first step to understanding the value of sea creatures in Hong Kong. It is important to minimise disruptions to these creatures’ homes, such as keeping the volume low when we are boating and helping to clean up the trash on our beaches. Last but not least, we should continue to love the ocean and appreciate all the living things in them.

Heer Donda, King George V School

This summer, my family, friends and I finally had an opportunity to travel outside Hong Kong. We travelled across southwestern Europe and got to learn so much about how life works on the other side of the world.

One of the highlights of my trip was travelling in Italy. On our trip to Rome, we saw the Colosseum and learned about how it used to host intense battles between gladiators. It was fascinating to know that ancient Romans could build a structure that still stands today. We also visited the leaning tower of Pisa, and it got me thinking about how different it is from Hong Kong’s well-known skyscrapers.

All of these experiences deepened my respect for ancient civilisations and encouraged me to research more.

Hongkongers flock to Japan for ‘revenge travel’

We even travelled to Portugal and Spain. In Portugal, we saw a gorgeous palace, and in Spain, I had the chance to practise speaking Spanish.

Travelling in these countries and watching the locals live their lives, I adapted to their slow style of living. Hongkongers are always in a rush, but in Italy, people took long strolls in parks and enjoyed every bite of their meals. This inspired me to appreciate the beauty surrounding me. You never live the same moment twice.

I also learned about expanding my comfort zone. While at the Vatican City, I got lost and couldn’t find my parents. In a panic, I found a security guard, who helped me find my family. This experience taught me not to be afraid of taking on new adventures, since they can teach me something about myself and the world around me.

Overall, this trip exposed me to another culture, unique perspectives and unforgettable memories.

Vincy Ng Wing-yi, St Paul’s School (Lam Tin)

Since the summer holiday began, I have taken the time to prioritise my health by exercising regularly. I used to resist the idea of exercising: what’s the point of running around for hours and sweating through my shirts? But now, I have experienced the many positive benefits of working out.

Exercise can reduce the risk of illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, cholesterol and inflammation.

Exercise doesn’t have to be intimidating. Try small changes like taking the stairs instead of the lift.

The best no-equipment home workout for beginners

Exercise not only helps to improve physical health, but it can also relieve our stress. As a student, it’s easy to feel the burden of academics, which can cause insomnia. But there’s hope! Exercise can increase your brain’s production of hormones that improve your mood, sleep and appetite.

But avoid exercising right before bedtime as you will buzz with energy and struggle to fall asleep. It’s better to exercise earlier in the day and avoid strenuous activity before bed.

So, if you’re on the fence about incorporating more physical activity into your routine, remember that exercise is an investment worth making in yourself and your future.