不宜碇泊區：橋咀洲東 (No-anchoring Area: Sharp Island East)

請勿在橋咀洲東「不宜碇泊區」拋錨
Not to anchor in “No-anchoring Area” of Sharp Island East

橋咀洲東
橋咀洲位於牛尾海內灣，正對著西貢市中心距離二千米的海上，亦是香港其中一個潛水熱點。最近水底研究發現，橋咀洲的東面擁有一大片的珊瑚群落，覆蓋率超過50%，大部分的珊瑚品種是脆弱的牡丹珊瑚 (Pavona sp.)及在世界上少有, 但在香港是優勢品種的扁腦珊瑚 (Platygyra sp.)。在二零一五年五月，漁農自然護理署在橋咀洲東面設置「不宜碇泊區」，減低船錨對珊瑚的破壞。

「不宜碇泊區」位置
「不宜碇泊區」位置設立在橋咀洲的東面，由4個印有「珊瑚區  請勿在此浮標以內水域拋錨」黃色珊瑚標誌浮標劃出珊瑚覆蓋率高的範圍，提醒駕駛船隻人士避免在該範圍下錨停泊。其位置見地圖所示，該處範圍近岸位置長有珊瑚。

Sharp Island East
Sharp Island is situated in Inner Port Shelter and opposite to Sai Kung Town Centre by 2km. It is one of the diving hotspots in Hong Kong. Recent research shows that a high coral coverage was recorded in the eastern side of Sharp Island. The coral coverage is over 50%. Most of the dominant coral species are fragile corals such as Pavona sp. and rare internationally but dominant in Hong Kong Platygyra sp. In May 2015, AFCD set up a “No-anchoring area” at Sharp Island East in eliminating impact of anchor damage on corals. 

Location of the “No-anchoring area”
“No-anchoring area” was set up at the eastern side of Sharp Island, indicated by 4 yellow coral marker buoys marked with “Coral area  Please do not anchor inshore side of this marker” to mark off areas with high coral coverage and notify the marine users to avoid using the area for boat anchoring. The location of which is marked in the map, close to the shore contains fragile coral communities.  

珊瑚的特性

• 珊瑚擁有脆弱的鈣化外骨骼
• 生長速度緩慢，有些珊瑚每年生長少於1厘米
• 在10米水深以上生長

Characteristics of corals

• Coral possesses a fragile calcareous exoskeleton
• Very slow growing animal with growth rate less than 1cm per year in some coral species
• Grow at above 10m water depth

船錨對珊瑚造成的威脅

• 船錨和鐵鏈拋放在珊瑚上或在其上拖行
• 船隻在風向改變或潮退時擱淺
• 錨鏈或繩索纏繞珊瑚，令珊瑚折斷

Anchor threat to the coral

• A vessel’s anchor and chain dropping or dragging on coral
• A vessel grounding when the wind changes or the tide ebbs
• A chain or rope wrapping around coral and breaking pieces off

「不宜碇泊區」功用
為保護珊瑚，「不宜碇泊區」作用能有效提醒駕駛船隻人士應避免在「不宜碇泊區」內下錨停泊。提醒駕駛船隻體型較大的人士應避免駛進「不宜碇泊區」或其他淺水珊瑚區以免造成擱淺、損毀珊瑚及船身。能提醒水肺和徒手潛水人士該處為珊瑚區，請遵守海洋護理守則，初學水肺潛水的人士，若未能純熟控制浮力，亦應避免在珊瑚區進行潛水活動。

Function of the “No-anchoring area”
To protect corals, “No-anchoring area” can be used as an indicator for the vessel operator to avoid anchoring their boats inside the “No-anchoring area”.  To remind operator of vessels with considerable size not to enter the “No-anchoring area” and avoid sailing over any shallow coral area, as this may cause groundings, damage large area of corals and the vessel itself.  Also remind the divers and snorkelers, to observe and follow the best environmental practices when visiting the coral sites where this area is with high coral coverage.  Novice SCUBA divers who do not have good buoyancy control skill should also avoid diving at coral sites.

漁護署工作
監察珊瑚標誌浮標的效用，並且透過宣傳教育，推廣「不宜碇泊區」的設立和功能。

Work of AFCD
Monitor the effectiveness of the coral marker buoys and promote the existence and functions of the “No-anchoring area” through education and publicity.

資料及圖片提供：漁農自然護理署 (AFCD) ,授權轉自《漁農自然護理署（漁護署）》
資料整理：野外動向 HK Discovery Team