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Any person who wishes to object to the draft maps may within 60 days from the date of gazetting, send a written statement of his objection to the Country and Marine Parks Authority at the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, 12th floor, 393 Canton Road, Kowloon, stating the nature of and reasons for the objection, and if the objection would be removed by an alteration to the draft map, any alteration proposed.
Hoi Ha Wan is a sheltered bay situated at the northern coastline of Sai Kung Peninsula. The proposed marine park covers an area of about 260 hectares. Wan Tsai Peninsula to its east and the three islands in the middle have already been gazetted on December 1, 1995 for designation as part of the Sai Kung West Country Park.
Being a sheltered bay and not open to oceanic waters and not affected by pollution, Hoi Ha Wan provides a good environment for the corals to flourish. Thirty- nine out of the 49 recorded local stony coral species can be found there, and several species new to scientists have been recorded in the area.
The proposed Yan Chau Tong Marine Park covers a total sea area of about 680 hectares. A wide variety of landforms can be found within the area, creating diversified beach types ranging from mudflat to rocky shores.
Features of particular ecological importance include a diversity of stony corals, and the marine eel grass which is rare in the tropics can be found in the area.
In addition, a large standing crop of Halophila ovata was newly recorded at Lai Chi Wo occupying an area of about 1,000 square metres, which is the largest coverage in the territory.
The proposed marine reserve at Cape D'Aguilar covers a sea area of about 20 hectares. Because of its high biological, geomorphological and geological interests, it has been listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1990.
The coastal flora and fauna of the site are rich and their zonations are typical. The natural habitat provides valuable opportunities for educational studies and scientific research.
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