The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is excited to bring its immersive roving exhibition, "Reviving Hong Kong's Ocean Heritage: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs," to Cityplaza from August 22 to September 4, 2025.
Oyster reefs — once thriving along Hong Kong’s coastlines – are now nearly lost. These remarkable 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.
Facing this urgent environmental challenge, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is excited to launch its inaugural roving exhibition, “Reviving Hong Kong's Ocean Heritage: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs”, debuting at Pacific Place from May 29 to June 11, 2025.
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.
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.
A Marine Habitat in Crisis
Globally, an estimated 85% of oyster reefs have vanished due to coastal development, pollution, overharvesting, and climate change. In Hong Kong, 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.
Oysters are natural “ecosystem engineers”. At summer temperatures, 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. At TNC, we apply science-based restoration methods and actively engage local communities to safeguard marine ecosystems. Through education and outreach, we aim to build long-term stewardship and help preserve Hong Kong’s marine heritage for future generations.”
Immersive Learning Experience and Highlights
The exhibition offers an engaging, multisensory learning experience designed to educate and inspire visitors of all ages. Through engaging visual displays, interactive installations, and captivating narratives, visitors can 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. We are 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.
Visitors can also watch the recently launched documentary City of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs, which delves into the captivating story of shellfish reef ecosystems, retracing 1000+ years of history around oysters and their cultural significance for Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta, and the journey of the scientists that are fighting to restore them. As a special bonus, participants will have a chance to receive a limited-edition “Oyster Babies” towel — available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
From Local Action to Global Impact
This local conservation effort is part of TNC’s broader mission to protect marine ecosystems around the world.
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 1 million users annually. From Hong Kong’s oyster beds to coral reefs worldwide, TNC is committed to building a more resilient future for our oceans.
TNC extends sincere thanks to the partners who made this exhibition possible. Special appreciation goes to the Swire Group Charitable Trust for its generous support, to Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS)and the Explorer Club Hong Kong (ECHK) for their expertise and collaboration, and to venue sponsor Pacific Place for providing a welcoming space to engage with the public. Through these collective efforts, the exhibition aims to reconnect communities with Hong Kong’s marine heritage and inspire action to protect oyster reefs and the broader marine ecosystems.
Exhibition Details:
Dates: May 29 to June 11, 2025
Time: 10.00 – 22.00
Location: Park Court, Level L1, Pacific Place (near Shiro)
Admission is free
Following its debut at Pacific Place, The Nature Conservancy’s roving exhibition continues at eslite spectrum Tsim Sha Tsui Store.
Once thriving along Hong Kong’s shores, oyster reefs are now among the most endangered marine habitats. This exhibition highlights the ecological and cultural importance of oyster reefs and showcases local restoration efforts.
Exhibition
Date: July 16 - August 30, 2025
Venue: exhibition venue, 3/F, eslite spectrum Tsim Sha Tsui Store
Admission is free
Snap, Play & Discover! Explore Ocean Wonders with the Whole Family at Cityplaza
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is excited to bring its immersive roving exhibition, “Reviving Hong Kong's Ocean Heritage: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs,” to Cityplaza from August 22 to September 4, 2025. This engaging public showcase explores the urgent need to restore one of Hong Kong’s most overlooked yet vital marine ecosystems – the oyster reefs. Once abundant along our coastlines, oyster reefs have quietly disappeared, and with them, their many benefits for marine life, water quality, and coastal protection. This exhibition aims to reconnect the public with these forgotten natural allies and spark meaningful conversation and action on marine conservation.
The exhibition offers a fresh and dynamic learning experience through a blend of science, storytelling, and interactivity. Visitors of all ages will discover the ecological, historical, and cultural significance of oyster reefs through engaging displays and hands-on features. The latest edition introduces a range of new, site-specific experiences designed to inspire curiosity and deepen understanding.
Visitors can dive into the fascinating world of oysters at the OysterScope Lab, where they can peer through real microscopes to observe the incredible life cycle of an oyster — from tiny larvae to mature reef builders. This rare, close-up look at oyster development brings marine biology to life in front of your eyes.
Just steps away, visitors can enjoy Meet the Giant Oyster Babies — a vibrant photo corner featuring giant plush baby oysters and a cast of colorful underwater characters. Designed for fun and engagement, it’s the perfect spot to capture memories and immerse in the playful spirit of the ocean.
In addition to these new experiences, the exhibition continues to showcase its signature highlights. Visitor can embark on a virtual reality journey to Deep Bay and Pak Nai, examine a full-scale traditional oyster farming model featuring real oyster poles from Deep Bay, and watch a compelling water filtration demonstration video that shows how oyster naturally clean the water. A coastal resilience simulation illustrates how oyster reefs help stabilize shorelines and protect against erosion. Real marine specimens are also on display, offering a tactile and visual way to learn about marine biodiversity. A brand-new augmented reality game gives visitor the opportunity to step into the role of a marine conservationist, deploying virtual oyster shells and restore digital marine habitats. The short documentary City of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs will also be screened onsite, retracing over a thousand years of oyster cultivation and its cultural significance to the Pearl River Delta.
Throughout the exhibition, visitors who participate in games or sign up through Instagram will receive limited-edition gifts featuring the popular Oyster Babies and other themed tokens, available on a first-come, first served basis while supplies last.
The exhibition comes at a critical time. Globally, more than 85% of oyster reefs have vanished due to coastal development, pollution, overharvesting, and climate change. In Hong Kong, only about 6% of marine waters are under protection, far below the global target of 30%, leaving critical ecosystems such as oyster reefs highly vulnerable. Oysters are natural ecosystem engineers, capable of filtering large volumes of water, creating habitats for marine species, and acting as natural buffers against storm surges. At summer temperatures, a single adult local oyster can filter up to 960 liters of water a day — even more for the Hong Kong oyster (Magallana hongkongensis)!
“This exhibition brings together science, culture and creativity to inspire public connection with the ocean,” said Anthony Gao, Executive Director for TNC Hong Kong and Regional Partnerships. “Oyster reefs are essential for a healthy and resilient marine environment, yet their ecological importance has been largely forgotten. Through this exhibition, we aim to bring the forgotten story of oyster reefs to life through creative visuals and engaging experiences that resonate with younger generations. Cityplaza is a fantastic venue to bring this message to life for families and children, and we hope this experience will inspire more people to join us in protecting and restoring our ocean heritage.”
This roving exhibition is part of TNC’s broader efforts to build public awareness and support for marine protection in Hong Kong. It also complements the organization’s science-based work to advocate for stronger conservation policies, including the proposed Coastal Protection Park (CPP), a new conservation area in the Northern Metropolis that could become a world-class model of ecological restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and community engagement.
The exhibition will continue to appear at various locations across the city in the months ahead, including at ReThink Expo on September 11–12, 2025, as part of Hong Kong’s leading sustainability event.
These efforts would not be possible without the support and collaboration of our partners. TNC extends its heartfelt thanks to the Swire Group Charitable Trust for its generous support, to Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) and the Explorer Club Hong Kong (ECHK) for their expertise and collaboration, and to venue sponsor Cityplaza for providing a welcoming and accessible space for public engagement. Their contributions have been instrumental in reconnecting communities with Hong Kong’s marine heritage and inspire collective action to protect oyster reefs and restore our coastal ecosystems.
Join us at Cityplaza to explore, learn, and celebrate Hong Kong’s marine heritage — and don’t forget to snap a photo with our giant Oyster Babies before summer ends!
Cityplaza Exhibition Details:
Dates: August 22 to September 4, 2025
Exhibition: 11:00 – 21:00
Gift Redemption Time: 11:00 – 18:00
Venue: G/F, Cityplaza (near APiTA)
Free Admission
Upcoming Exhibition (ReThink Expo):
Dates: September 11 and 12, 2025
Time: 08:45 – 18:00
Venue: (Booth H05) Hall 1, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, WanChai, Hong Kong
Registration: https://register.rethink-event.com/general
Join TNC at Rethink HK, taking place 11-12 September 2025, at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, as our citywide marine conservation exhibition continues its journey with “Reviving Hong Kong’s Ocean Heritage – Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs.”
It’s time to rethink oysters — not just as seafood, but as nature’s powerful “ecosystem engineers.” These remarkable shellfish filter water, stabilize coastlines, and support vibrant marine biodiversity.
Once thriving along Hong Kong’s shores, oyster reefs are now among the most endangered marine habitats in the world. This exhibition explores how restoring these habitats can enhance marine biodiversity, improve urban coastal resilience, and support sustainable development— highlighting the synergy between conservation and ESG transformation.
Now in its 6th edition, ReThink HK is the city’s flagship event for sustainable business, a large-scale, cross-sector platform that champions ESG transformation and showcases game-changing innovation. This year’s event features 9 themed theatres, with over 150 sessions on topics including Sustainable Construction, Challenges and Opportunities in AI, Rethinking Circular Economy and more.
Come visit us and let's co-create a greener, more sustainable future together!
“Reviving Hong Kong’s Ocean Heritage – Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs” at ReThink HK:
Date: September 11-12, 2025
Venue: Hall 1, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (TNC Booth: H05)
View the program of ReThink: https://rethink-event.com/2025-conference/
Register for your delegate pass at https://register.rethink-event.com/general
