Reviving Hong Kong's Ocean Heritage – Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs

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

Engaging sustainability leaders on nature-based solutions 
For a resilient and future-ready Hong Kong

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is proud to bring its acclaimed roving exhibition, Reviving Hong Kong’s Ocean Heritage – Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs, to ReThink HK 2025, on September 11-12, 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

ReThink HK is the city’s premier cross-sector platform for sustainable business, bringing together corporate leaders, sustainability practitioners, and policymakers to accelerate ESG transformation and climate action. The event is expected to attract over 10,000 attendees, making it a key convergence point for forward-thinking business and environmental leadership. 

Following successful showcases in public venues, this third iteration of TNC’s exhibition is specially tailored for a professional audience — highlighting how highlighting how investing in nature-based marine solutions can be a powerful tool for corporate ESG strategy, climate resilience, and sustainable infrastructure. 

Why Oyster Reefs Matter to Business and ESG

Oyster reefs — once widespread along Hong Kong’s coastlines — are now among the most endangered marine habitats globally. Over 85% have been lost due to coastal development, pollution, and overharvesting. Yet these ecosystems provide essential services such as filtering water, protecting coastlines, restoring marine biodiversity, and supporting local livelihoods. 

“Biodiversity loss is not a distant threat — it’s a material risk for business and society,” said Anthony Gao, Executive Director for TNC Hong Kong and Regional Partnerships. “Restoring oyster reefs is not just about conservation. It’s about strengthening Hong Kong’s climate resilience, aligning with ESG priorities, and supporting a blue economy that benefits both nature and people.”

This exhibition highlights how nature-based solutions — like oyster reefs restoration — are not only ecological imperative, but also powerful ESG opportunities for businesses seeking to:

• Invest in nature-based solutions to mitigate climate-related risk and build long-term coastal resilience

• Advance biodiversity and blue carbon outcomes

• Engage in and support community-driven conservation aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Lead in regenerative, future-focused sustainability

Exhibition Highlights at ReThink HK

Designed to engage and inform, the experience invites visitors to explore a coastal resilience simulation that shows how oyster reefs protect shorelines from climate impacts, interact with a live water filtration video demonstration revealing how oysters naturally clean the ocean, and take a virtual reality journey to Deep Bay and Pak Nai where restoration is underway. Guests can also examine a full-scale traditional oyster farming model featuring authentic concrete poles from Deep Bay, view specimens, and interact with displays on reef ecology and biodiversity. The exhibition also features City of Shells, a documentary that traces Hong Kong’s 1,000+ years of oyster heritage and highlights the scientists and communities working to revive these vital ecosystems.

Visitors are encouraged to take direct action to support reef restoration. Visitors who follow TNC Hong Kong on LinkedIn at the exhibition can then select a recycled oyster shell and place it into a biodegradable mesh bag—TNC will later deploy these bags into local waters to help rebuild oyster reefs. Guest can also join a “Oyster Shells Up-Cycling DIY Workshop” to upcycle oyster shells into decorative decoupage containers or ornaments, blending sustainability with creativity.

ReThink HK 2025 is part of Hong Kong Green Week, a city-wide initiative that celebrates environmental innovation and climate solutions. TNC’s participation underscores the important of nature-based solutions in addressing the dual challenges of biodiversity loss and climate risk, especially in urban coastal environments like Hong Kong.

The Nature Conservancy extends its sincere thanks to ReThink HK for hosting the exhibition and providing a vital platform to reach Hong Kong’s sustainability and business community. Special appreciation also goes to our long-time partners, including the Swire Group Charitable Trust, Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS), and the Explorer Club Hong Kong, whose continued support and collaboration make this initiative possible. 

Join Us

ReThink Expo Exhibition Details:
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 
Website: ReThink HK
Registration: ReThink HK 2025 | EventX

About The Nature Conservancy Hong Kong (TNC)

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together.  We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping to make cities more liveable.  Working in more than 81 countries and territories, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners.  TNC has been in Asia Pacific for almost 30 years with projects in Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mongolia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. In 2019, TNC was awarded the Lui Che Woo Prize for Sustainable Development. To learn more. please visit:  
Website: www.tnc.org.hk
Facebook: TNC HK 大自然保護協會 
Instagram: @tnc_hk

About TNC’s Reef Resilience Network

2025 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.