HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 September 2026 – WWF-Hong Kong (WWF) today released Recommendation Report for Conservation of Shui Hau Sandflat, revealing an alarming trend in one of Hong Kong's most unique marine ecosystems: Based on seven years of ecological data collected at Shui Hau sandflat, the study confirms that Shui Hau remains a critical stronghold for the Chinese Horseshoe Crab (Tachypleus tridentatus). However, overall clam density has declined precipitously by 65% since 2018, reflecting the current harvesting activity has exceeded sustainable levels. This poses an immediate threat to the sandflat ecosystem and directly jeopardises the survival of globally Endangered horseshoe crabs. The overall trend is deeply concerning, underscoring the urgent need to implement science-based conservation measures more urgent than ever. These findings, collected through WWF's community-based conservation project, paint a complex picture of ecological stress and behavioural shifts along Shui Hau's coastline. While the sandflat continues to support significant number of juvenile horseshoe crabs, made up largely by the globally endangered Chinese Horseshoe Crab, its dependent habitat faces mounting pressure from escalating clam harvesting activities. "Grounded in scientific evidence and informed by the expertise of ecologists, academics and conservation groups, this report presents a range of practical recommendations and calls on all sectors to take action for the sustainable future of Shui Hau." said Kelvin So, Oceans Conservation Manager at WWF-Hong Kong. "The science is clear: the ecological health of Shui Hau is at a tipping point, and we must act now to balance recreational use with the survival of threatened species." Key Findings of the Report:

• Alarming Decline in Clam Populations: A 65% decline in overall clam density since 2018 signals that current harvesting pressure is ecologically unsustainable, placing enormous pressure on the ecosystem, with negative impact rippling through the entire food web.
• High Vulnerability of Horseshoe Crabs: Analysis reveals a 16% overlap between juvenile horseshoe crab habitat and recreational activity zones. Critically, over 70% of all horseshoe crab sightings were concentrated within just 6% of the sandflat. This extreme concentration means that even minor human disturbances—such as trampling and digging—can have a devastating impact on the population.
• Positive Behavioural Shift in Visitors: Despite a marked decline in clam numbers, the study observed a positive shift in visitor behaviour. A higher proportion of visitors now proactively avoid collecting immature clams, demonstrating that sustained public education efforts, including the distribution of the WWF-developed clam gauges are effectively driving noticeable compliance with sustainable harvesting.
• Technology-enabled Smart Conservation: The project successfully integrated advanced technologies, including AI-assisted clam size monitoring and real-time IoT spatial visitor tracking, to monitor the site. This "Smart Conservation" approach helps advance adaptive management, ensuring conservation strategies remain responsive to real-time ecological and visitor dynamics.

"In Hong Kong, there are few examples of ecologically important coastal sites where systematic monitoring has been conducted consistently across multiple years, generating the datasets needed for meaningful comparisons," said Professor Hui Tin-yan, Assistant Professor, Division of Science, Lingnan University, and a core member of the expert group. "WWF's seven years of continuous monitoring at Shui Hau Sandflat have generated a rare dataset that allows us to detect ecological changes, and to understand how human activities are influencing ecological conditions over time. These long-term data not only demonstrate Shui Hau's significant conservation value, but also provide an important foundation for developing future targeted management measures." The report presents concrete conservation recommendations to the Hong Kong government and key stakeholders, advocating for an integrated management model that combines robust science, community participation, and statutory governance. Recent observations, including visitor surges during major holiday periods such as the Labour Day Golden Week, suggest that recreational pressure on Shui Hau is likely to increase further. WWF-Hong Kong believes there is now a golden opportunity to establish proactive management measures before ecological impacts become irreversible. WWF-Hong Kong urges the government to implement four key actions, including:

• Zoning Management Strategy: Designating a "Biodiversity Management Zone" to protect ecologically sensitive horseshoe crab and waterbird hotspots, while allowing controlled public access in a designated "Wise Use Zone".
• Visitor Capacity Management: Establishing a science-based daily visitor carrying capacity...