SES researcher joins call for strengthening protection of Shui Hau sandflats
From left to right: Kelvin So, WWF Conservation Officer; Tommy Hui, Post-doctoral Fellow of The Swire Institute of Marine Science, HKU; Dr Janet Chan, Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, HKU; and Dr Cheang Chi-chiu.
Dr Cheang Chi-chiu, Associate Professor at the Department of Science and Environmental Studies (SES), has been studying the differences between the perceived and actual behaviour of clam-diggers in Hong Kong for years. A paper written by Dr Cheang and researchers from The University of Hong Kong (HKU) analysed the behaviour of people harvesting clams and found that while most clam-diggers have a high level of environmental awareness and self-reported behaviour, this may not reflect their actual behavior. The paper was published in the September issue of the Journal of Cleaner Production.
The paper was co-authored by Mr Kelvin So Jun-yin, a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Education for Sustainability programme (2013-2017) in SES. Kelvin has been passionately pursuing environmental sustainability ever since he was an EdUHK student. In recognition of his remarkable achievements in environment protection, Kelvin was granted the President’s Commendation - Environmental Conservation award in the academic year of 2015/16. He is now working as a project manager at WWF Hong Kong.
The research conducted by Dr Cheang’s team is the first in-depth study of the differences between perceived and actual behaviour of clam-diggers in Hong Kong. “While positive environmental attitudes are commonly associated with environmentally responsible behaviour, this is not always the case,” said Dr Cheang.
Shui Hau sandflats on Lantau Island.
The Shui Hau sandflats on Lantau Island cover 30 hectares of land, including diverse ecological habitats high in biodiversity. However, this unprotected area currently faces severe human disturbance from unregulated clam-digging, which may lead to overharvesting, disturbing the habitat and the creatures that live there, and other related ecological consequences.
The study assessed clam-harvesting pressure using a photographic survey of clam harvests, along with a self-reporting questionnaire to explore the behaviour of clam-diggers. The research team found that clam-diggers generally believe that their activities are environmentally friendly, as most of them have a positive environmental attitude and consider themselves to be environmentally responsible.
By comparing the data from the questionnaire and the photographic record of clam harvests, the study effectively assesses actual behaviour regarding the environment. While most clam-diggers reported that they kept larger clams only, many harvested those that were smaller than the recommended harvestable size due to a poor understanding of the size of a mature clam.
The discrepancy between reported perceived behaviour and actual behaviour also indicates the inadequacy of using questionnaires alone to study environmental behaviour. “The study of actual behaviour, in the fields of environmental and sustainability education, are relatively scarce. This clam-harvesting research has become a showcase study, providing empirical evidence to support the case that behavioural intention and real-life behaviour do not often align,” explained Dr Cheang.
Horseshoe crab tracks on the sandflat.
Shui Hau has high conservation value as a habitat for the living fossil: the horseshoe crab.
To strengthen the protection of the ecologically important sandflat in Hong Kong, the researchers recommended: (1) adding standard guidelines to the current management plan to regulate recreational clam-digging activities; (2) implementing a permit system limiting the clam-harvesting period to ease the current harvesting pressure and preserve the ecological value of Shui Hau; (3) using an independent assessment of clam-digging behaviour in addition to questionnaires; (4) adopting a comprehensive management plan and setting up core zones in the most ecologically sensitive areas, while allowing regulated recreational activities in less sensitive areas; and (5) designating a marine protected area in Shui Hau to preserve its ecological value.
In addition to ecological experts from EdUHK and HKU, the research was conducted with the help of Mr Michael Ma from HKU and Ms Lydia Pang from the Ocean Conservation Department of WWF Hong Kong.
For further details of the research paper, please refer to https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652621024744?via%3Dihub#abs0015
