Protecting the Coral Sea

1. Enhanced 2026 Citizen Science Monitoring Successfully Launched

On 18 April, Better Blue conducted the second citizen science monitoring survey of the Tangjiawan seagrass meadow for 2026.

The survey recorded a total seagrass coverage of 0.56 hectares. Compared with April 2025, the Beck's seagrass (Halophila beccarii) meadow continued to exhibit increasing fragmentation, with the once-continuous habitat gradually breaking into smaller, isolated patches. Field observations also found that 45% of intertidal visitors carried foraging tools with the potential to damage the seagrass meadow.

Better Blue will continue its long-term ecological monitoring programme to provide scientific evidence for future conservation planning and policy-making.

Based on the monitoring results, Better Blue calls for immediate action to establish dedicated legal and policy protections for the Tangjiawan seagrass meadow, grant local authorities clearer management responsibilities, reduce human disturbance, and provide the ecosystem with a recovery period essential for natural regeneration.

2. Ongoing Monitoring and Patrols Promote Citizen Science Participation and Public Awareness

From April to June, Better Blue organized:

• 2 seagrass monitoring and public education activities; and
• 5 conservation patrols.

The project adopted an integrated approach combining on-site intervention, public education, and alternative recreation guidance, reinforcing conservation messages through multi-stakeholder collaboration and supporting effective zoned management of the coastline.

During the May Day holiday, Better Blue, together with volunteers, government agencies, and site management authorities, installed temporary barriers and warning lines around seagrass habitats, supplemented by SMS notifications at access points. Volunteer patrol teams continuously monitored visitor activities and provided educational outreach, successfully discouraging more than 400 visitors from entering ecologically sensitive areas.

Repeated patrols showed a positive shift in public behaviour. Following volunteer engagement and interpretation, increasing numbers of coastal visitors expressed understanding and support for seagrass conservation, voluntarily leaving sensitive habitats and choosing nearby non-seagrass areas for recreational activities instead.

3. "TonGa Baby" Seagrass Education & Conservation Pop-up Event Successfully Held

On 1 May, Better Blue, together with the Zhuhai High-Tech Branch of the Zhuhai Natural Resources Bureau (guiding organization), the Faculty of Environmental Science, Beijing Normal University–Hong Kong Baptist University United International College (UIC) (project partner), and the Shenzhen Zhilan Foundation (project sponsor), organized the "TonGa Baby" Seagrass Education & Conservation Pop-up Event at Tangjiawan Beach.

The event combined marine science education, responsible coastal recreation, seagrass conservation, and interactive engagement through guided nature observation activities and educational exhibits.

By bringing together government agencies, universities, and civil society organizations, the initiative explored a practical model for integrating coastal tourism, environmental education, and ecosystem conservation, demonstrating how ecological protection can be incorporated into sustainable coastal recreation.

4. Family-Oriented Seagrass Nature Walk Successfully Completed

On 1 May, Better Blue collaborated with the Environmental Science team from Beijing Normal University–Hong Kong Baptist University United International College (UIC) to organize the public welfare guided nature walk "In Search of Seagrass" in the Tangjiawan intertidal zone.

Designed for families with children aged 7–12, the programme introduced participants to the unique ecology of the urban Halophila beccarii seagrass meadow through guided observation and hands-on learning, fostering greater appreciation for the importance of conserving coastal biodiversity.