BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION OF FRESHWATER FISH IN HONG KONG, CHINA
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Abstract: We surveyed the distribution, composition and diversity of freshwater fish in Hong Kong, China from 2002 to 2004. Sites surveyedwere mainly streams, marshes and estuaries. There are ponds for aquaculture and reservoirs in Hong Kong but no large natural water bodies. From the 220 sites surveyed, 114 species of 37 familieswere found. Gobiidae (with 24 species)and Cyprinidae (21 species)were the dominant families. This survey has increased the number of freshwater fish species recorded in Hong Kong to 167. Among these, 71(42. 5%)are primary freshwater fish, 44 are brackish and 46 are vagrants. The remaining 6 species are diadromous.In Hong Kong, freshwater fish are conserved by a combination of measures. About 38% of Hong Kong' s land area is designated as country parks and/ or special areas, and is managedfor nature conservation and educational purposes. In addition, another 5% of land area is zoned for conservation in the statutory land use zoning system to protect them from development and incompatible land uses.Major development projects have to go through the statutory environmental impact assessment process to ensure that they will not have adverse impact as far as practicable. There are conservation action plans for important species. For example, captive -bred individuals of the endemic Hong Kong Paradise Fish Macropodus hongkongensis have been released to suitable and secure sitesinside country parks and their populations are regularly monitored. Other measures such aswetland creation, restoration and enhancement programmes are also implemented for freshwater fish conservation.
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Keywords:
- Freshwater fish biodiversity
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