不宜碇泊區：南果洲 (No-anchoring Area: South Ninepin)

請勿在南果洲「不宜碇泊區」拋錨
Not to anchor in “No-anchoring Area” of South Ninepin

南果洲
南果洲是一個細小島嶼，座落於整個果洲群島的南面，與西貢市中心距離十六千米，是與西貢市距離較遠的島嶼。此處的珊瑚群落主要在北邊較遮蔽的岸邊生長，珊瑚的覆蓋率甚高，主要的品種是脆弱的鹿角珊瑚 (Acopora sp.)及薔薇珊瑚 (Monitpora sp.)。在二零一五年五月，漁農自然護理署在南果洲北面設置「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」位置設立在南果洲的北面，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。

South Ninepin
South Ninepin is a small island located at the southern side of the Ninepin Group.  It is located at about 16km from Sai Kung Town Centre and one of the furthest islands in Sai Kung. Corals were found mainly located at the northern side in a shelter bay.  The coral coverage is quite high. Most of the dominant species are fragile corals such as Acopora sp. and Monitpora sp. In May 2015, AFCD set up a “No-anchoring area” at South Ninepin in eliminating impact of anchor damage on corals.

Location of the “No-anchoring area”
“No-anchoring area” was set up at the northern side of South Ninepin, 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