The natural capital stock of the marine environment is being augmented through HK$110 million Artificial Reef (AR) deployment programmes which are being undertaken by AFCD over a 5 year period. The purpose of the reefs is to provide additional habitat and shelter for marine fishes to counter pressures on the stocks from habitat destruction and fishing effort. In concert with other marine habitat enhancement policies such as the Marine Parks and Reserves programme, the AR programme is expected to increase both short-term fisheries yields and the long term sustainability of the fishery.

The AR programmes involve the deployment of artificial reefs (eg in the form of redundant marine craft, tyres and rocks) on the seabed of the three marine parks (Phase I) and in other suitable locations (Phase II). AR deployment sites are shown in Figure 3.2c. Phase I, which involved the deployment of 20 vessels, 216 tyre units, 131 concrete modules and 8 quarry rock units in the Hoi Ha Wan and Yan Chau Tong Marine Parks, was completed between 1998 and August 1999(). Initial evidence suggests that these reefs are already colonised by invertebrates and populations of reef and other marine fish species. The second phase of AR deployment is scheduled to begin in late 2000/early 2001 at Outer Port Shelter and Tap Mun/Long Harbour.

There are currently 41 gazetted beaches in Hong Kong where the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) provides a number of facilities to enhance public use and enjoyment from the natural resource provided by the territory's bathing beaches. These facilities include changing and showering facilities, cafes, lifeguards and encircling nets for protection from sharks. To protect public health and to assess whether the beach water quality is compliant with statutory Water Quality Objectives, a comprehensive beach monitoring programme is undertaken by EPD. Further details on beach water quality monitoring and the ranking system employed by EPD is provided in the discussion of Assimilative Capacity Natural Capital Stock (Paragraphs 5.2.1.26 - 5.2.1.30). The contribution of Hong Kong's beaches to the overall recreational value of the natural capital stock is discussed in Paragraph 7.4.1.5.

Some areas of urban open space also contain a considerable diversity of plant and animal (mainly bird and insects) species and thus serve as limited ecological resources. The benefits of urban open space for the Ecological Natural Capital Stock are discussed in Paragraph 4.2.1.5.