The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said the impact of holiday crowds on coral colonies at Sai Kung’s Sharp Island appears limited, with personnel deployed to monitor the situation.
The remarks came after reports of overtourism as more than 4,000 visitors flocked to the island on October 1 — far above the usual weekend figure of around 1,000.
Speaking on a radio program on Monday, AFCD deputy Patrick Lai Chuen-chi said authorities launched a four-day joint operation on Sunday (Oct 5) to address ecological concerns.
He said additional staff have been carrying out targeted patrols to prevent coral trampling, illegal fishing and littering. Divers are also monitoring the coral area, he added, stressing that the beach’s distance from the reef should help mitigate any significant impact.
Lai attributed the National Day visitor surge to unusually warm weather and the temporary closure of nearby Hap Mun Bay. He noted that numbers have since fallen, visitors have generally cooperated, and no enforcement action has been needed in recent days.
Turning to the popular High Island Reservoir East Dam, Lai said nearly 2,000 visitors were recorded over the past few days, though the highest daily count has not reached the levels seen during this year’s Labour Day “Golden Week.”
He credited government crowd and traffic control measures with managing visitor flow during the holidays but acknowledged room for improvement, particularly in reducing waiting times under the police “tidal flow system.”
On safety, Lai said staff from the Civil Aid Service and AFCD have been advising visitors to stay away from cliff edges. He described the current situation as “manageable,” with no need for enforcement so far.
Meanwhile, Greenpeace has voiced concerns about overtourism at Sharp Island, citing cases of snorkellers trampling coral reefs, collecting marine life and lighting fires for cooking — activities that threaten the island’s environment.
The green group’s project director Ha Shun-kuen criticised the government’s patrols as insufficient and urged the development of an ecotourism policy framework that would prioritise conservation over tourism.
He proposed visitor caps in ecologically sensitive areas and mandatory professional guidance for snorkelling activities in coral zones to enhance education and prevent damage.
