That is a part of a sequence of visitor posts by Andi Cross, whose unbelievable expedition is telling dive tales from across the globe. Take a look at the earlier story, and be a part of us as she takes us to the Edges of Earth!
When Hong Kong ended up on our expedition path, we had been simply as excited as we had been stunned. With 7.5 million individuals residing within the metropolis as of mid-year 2022, this vacation spot was extraordinarily completely different to a few of the others we had explored prior. Removed from what many would classify as a standard “fringe of earth.”
A Non-Conventional “Fringe of Earth”
Upon arriving, we had been thrust right into a world the place the boundaries of exploration and discovery had been ever increasing, proving that an “fringe of earth” isn’t just a approach to outline a geographic location. It’s additionally a mind-set. It’s the concept there’s one thing to find irrespective of the place you’re – from a distant island to one of the iconic skylines.
It’s about venturing into neglected areas and asking questions that defy the odd, aiming to unveil unseen worlds that coexist with our acquainted landscapes. “Edges of Earth” is the place the recognized and unknown converge.
Becoming a member of The Explorers Membership Hong Kong Chapter opened a gateway to town’s much less talked about underwater scene – particularly when it got here to partially intact shellfish reefs. Holding unbelievable historic and ecological significance, many individuals who name Hong Kong dwelling hardly know of this hidden treasure that put this commerce hotspot on the map eons in the past.
A devoted workforce of researchers, scientists and conservationists from The Explorers Membership, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Swire Institute for Marine Sciences of The College of Hong Kong (SWIMS) had been behind a undertaking to focus on the significance of shellfish reefs. As soon as clued into the work that was occurring past the skyscrapers, we discovered ourselves re-routing the expedition. We headed to satisfy with the undertaking lead, Marine Thomas, and her workforce to dive the Pearl River Delta collectively.
The Oyster Challenge
The goal was to conduct an in depth oyster survey in key waters surrounding Hong Kong, particularly Lantau Island. Whereas the worldwide culinary enchantment of oysters is widely known, their ecological significance stays largely underappreciated. The Oyster Consciousness Challenge was deployed to demystify shellfish reefs, re-establish their worth after which assist to open eyes on what it is going to take to revive these essential reefs across the metropolis.
Oysters function pure water purifiers. They play a pivotal function within the well being of coastal marine ecosystems, all whereas fostering marine biodiversity. Traditionally, Hong Kong brimmed with vibrant shellfish reefs which over the centuries, have confronted degradation as a consequence of, you guessed it, human actions.
They noticed a steep decline significantly throughout the peak of the lime business period. Lime was a wanted useful resource to gasoline speedy city growth, which closely trusted shellfish shells for calcium carbonate extraction.
The central motivation behind TNC’s oyster initiative was to make clear the current state of those priceless marine ecosystems and emphasize the pressing want for his or her conservation and restoration. Hong Kong’s oyster and shellfish populations, as soon as ample past what we are able to think about, have been significantly diminished.
This has impacted each native marine life and the communities depending on them. The information collected throughout the undertaking sought to bridge the data hole and re-establish the significance of those reefs, which has lengthy been forgotten.
A Legacy of Knowledge
The overarching imaginative and prescient of the undertaking was not simply to doc the current state, however to seed a legacy the place this in depth knowledge serves as a basis for future marine conservation and restoration efforts.
The meticulous documentation creates a complete toolkit, paving the best way for knowledgeable and strategic motion. The goal is to regain what essential marine habitats had been misplaced in locations the place that’s nonetheless doable. And on the very least, cease the destruction of no matter is left.
Coming into the survey course of near its completion, the outcomes had been promising and offered a renewed sense of hope. The surveys throughout the Pearl River Delta and close by islands had revealed patches of reef had been nonetheless current. This signified the resilience of those habitats and their potential for restoration.
Diving Zero Vis
Conducting the oyster surveys introduced distinctive and difficult circumstances for the analysis workforce. Geared up with in depth dive gear and the required survey tools, which they known as “The Christmas Tree” (as that’s what it appears like when absolutely assembled), they launched into a journey into the murky depths of Hong Kong’s Lantau Island.
The torrential black rain, the heaviest town had skilled in 140 years, turned the already difficult diving circumstances right into a formidable activity. The decreased visibility, typically restricted to lower than 1 meter (3 toes), necessitated skilled divers with adept maneuvering abilities to navigate these circumstances.
We’d should courageous each the poor visibility and the unpredictable and aggressive currents that got here with the territory. These already troublesome circumstances had been amplified as a consequence of relentless rain and heavy boat visitors.
Right here, the circumstances had been at all times lower than ultimate. If the workforce may tolerate it, although, they’d seek for oysters, gathering samples various in form and measurement. These samples had been essential in portray a complete image of the present state of the oyster inhabitants and the broader well being of the area’s waters.
The town’s submerged ecosystems weren’t solely battling the impacts of historic human actions, however had been additionally on the frontline of the unfolding local weather disaster. The nice and cozy waters and unpredictable climate patterns had been a stark, real-time illustration of the environmental challenges at hand. Basically, with each dive, the undertaking urgency was amplified.
Each oyster discovered and each pattern collected acted as a bit of proof. This backed up the analysis workforce’s speculation that there’s something value saving right here. Every dive, within the face of adversity, introduced the workforce a step nearer to uncovering the resilient narrative of Hong Kong’s underwater world.
The Girls within the Muck
Our conversations with Marine and her colleague, Anniqa Chung Kiu Regulation, one other Conservation Challenge Supervisor with TNC, opened our eyes to how restoration efforts work. These initiatives, typically presumed to be carried out amidst the picturesque backdrops of pristine waters, are in actual fact painstakingly meticulous and infrequently removed from glamorous.
The work requires unwavering dedication and an understanding of what every step within the course of ladders as much as. Typically, on this line of labor, it’s laborious to see the forest by the bushes.
The truth is, diving within the muck may be very far-off from what Marine was doing previous to working with TNC. She transitioned from a profession in luxurious trend to marine conservation following a private awakening – one sparked by a private loss and an impactful documentary on shark finning.
Abandoning working with manufacturers like Longchamp and Chanel, she entered the rugged, but rewarding world of marine ecology. Marine initially joined TNC as an unpaid volunteer. She then obtained her grasp’s diploma in environmental administration – all whereas balancing the obligations of first-time motherhood. These experiences finally led her to spearhead TNC’s conservation workforce.
Worlds Aside
Now, she finds achievement within the tactile, hands-on restoration of shellfish habitats. A world that couldn’t be extra completely different from the style business, however one that’s wealthy with objective.
And from Marine’s story a shared narrative emerged. A narrative woven from the lives of all the ladies on this analysis boat who had been navigating the confluence of their skilled journeys, private passions and a deeper sense of objective – from our expedition workforce to the native dive groups appointed to assist the survey.
It was laborious to not relate to Marine’s story, because it was not far off from ours or many different ladies we’ve had the pleasure of assembly whereas consciously exploring the world.
Every of us discovered a nexus in our mutual affection for diving and marine life. We felt a direct closeness. Within the communal environment of discovery and exploration, tales of transitions, awakenings and the pursuit of significant engagements with our pure world had been exchanged.
Impressed by the tales of those ladies within the subject, we continued in search of the final remaining bivalves in Hong Kong. It was very clear that this muddy work meant one thing and served a higher objective.
What Comes Subsequent
Each oyster pattern collected by Marine, Anniqa, and the native dive groups are greater than only a gathering of data. It’s a concrete step in direction of a deeper understanding of one of the essential and endangered underwater ecosystems on the planet. The workforce’s work is grounded in a actuality the place every discovery contributes to a bigger narrative of environmental restoration. It’s a narrative that usually goes untold.
This analysis carried out received’t simply keep throughout the confines of experiences and educational journals. The long-term findings are supposed to present actionable insights that contribute on to the enhancement of marine conservation efforts. Marine and Anniqa’s work underpins the foundational data required to tell insurance policies, information restoration tasks, whereas driving future scientific and neighborhood engagement.
All Ecosystems Matter
As divers, we’re essential stakeholders in the way forward for our planet. We have to champion the significance of underwater ecosystems that aren’t at all times thought-about as essential or essential. Shellfish reefs should not at all times top-of-mind for the diving neighborhood. It’s as much as us to assist share why defending and restoring all marine ecosystems matter, from the coral to the seagrass to the bivalves.
The tireless work of this collective workforce is a powerful name to motion. Their research lay the groundwork, but it surely’s as much as us to advocate for insurance policies that assist conservation initiatives, for instance. It’s additionally as much as us as divers to broaden our pursuits to a few of the extra unsuspecting creatures and ecosystems. This may make sure that they don’t seem to be simply meant to be studied, but in addition meant to be cherished and guarded.
Concerning the Creator
Andi Cross is a development strategist, skilled scuba diver and lead of the Edges of Earth expedition, highlighting tales of optimistic ocean progress and how you can discover the world extra consciously. To maintain up with the expedition, observe the workforce on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube and their web site.
