The Nature Conservancy (TNC) invites you to rediscover one of Hong Kong’s most overlooked marine ecosystems — oyster reefs. These natural “ecosystem engineers” play a vital role in ocean health by filtering water, supporting marine biodiversity, and protecting coastlines from erosion. In fact, a single adult oyster can filter up to 960 liters of water per day during summer months.
Despite their ecological value, over 85% of oyster reefs have been lost globally due to overharvesting, pollution, and coastal development. In Hong Kong, once-thriving shellfish ecosystems have quietly disappeared over centuries, largely unrecognized and unprotected.
TNC’s roving exhibition, “Reviving Hong Kong’s Ocean Heritage – Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs,” explores the region’s rich history of oyster farming and the critical role that reefs once played in the Pearl River Delta. Visitors can engage with a life-sized model of traditional oyster farming, view a water filtration demonstration, learn how reefs enhance coastal resilience through interactive simulations, and experience a virtual and augmented reality journey into oyster habitats.
The exhibition also features the award-winning documentary City of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs, offering a deeper look into the science, history, and future of oyster reef restoration in Hong Kong.
This immersive experience is a powerful reminder of the need to restore what’s been lost — and what could once again thrive with the right action.
Visit this exhibition at ReThink HK 2025 and join the movement to bring these vital ecosystems back to life.
