Diving deep: a journey into ocean conservation
In the photo, Kelvin and his friends dive in the waters near Ninepin Group in Sai Kung, one of the seven priority conservation sites advocated by WWF. The pink and red corals are part of the soft coral communities. Soft corals, also known as octocorals, are characterised by their flexible structures and vibrant colours. Kelvin noted that Hong Kong’s underwater visibility can be as impressive as that of the Maldives!
The Maldives is Kelvin’s favourite location for diving excursions. The archipelago in the north-central Indian Ocean boasts extensive coral reefs, known as table corals (seen on his back in the photo), and incredible marine biodiversity. “Every dive in the Maldives is a spectacle; divers can see sharks, coral reefs, and reef fish. It feels like witnessing the ecosystem in action,” Kelvin said.
If there is a decisive moment in Kelvin So’s life, it must be his first dive into the sea during his undergraduate studies at EdUHK.
Kelvin studied for a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Education for Sustainability between 2013 and 2017 and graduated with First Class Honours from the Department of Science and Environmental Studies (SES). He joined the department’s SCUBA diving team in the second year of his studies. Ever since his first dive, the wonders of the underwater world have amazed him. Because of his love for the ocean, he chose marine ecology as the topic for his final-year honours project.
Kelvin, right, participated in numerous diving excursions during his studies at EdUHK. In this photo, he, right, is resting after a diving adventure at Hoi Ha Wan, alongside his conservation mentor, Dr Cheang Chi-chiu, left.
When Kelvin consulted Dr Cheang Chi-chiu from SES regarding his final-year project topic, he was advised to track and study the ecology and reproduction of seaweed “Sargassum” (馬尾藻) in Hong Kong waters. Dr Cheang also introduced him to Professor Put Ang Jr. at the Marine Science Laboratory of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) as an external advisor for his project. After graduating in 2017, Kelvin found a job as a research assistant at Professor Ang’s laboratory to assist with a study on coral communities in Tolo Harbour and Channel, while also pursuing his master’s degree in Environmental Management at The University of Hong Kong (HKU). In 2018, one year after starting work at CUHK, he changed jobs to work at WWF-Hong Kong (WWF) and has been employed at the conservation NGO since then.
I was born and educated here. Hong Kong is my home. Because of my love for this city, I share the mission of protecting its marine environment.
Kelvin receives the Outstanding FLASS Alumni Award 2023/24 certificate from the Department Head of SES Professor Keith Ho Wing-kei.
“I dived extensively to collect ecological data for my research projects at EdUHK and CUHK, as well as for my current work at WWF. From the first moment I descended into the ocean, I have been captivated by its stunning beauty,” Kelvin said. Diving not only opened his eyes to the beauty of Hong Kong’s marine world but also instilled in him a sense of responsibility towards marine conservation. “I was born and educated here. Hong Kong is my home. Because of my love for this city, I share the mission of protecting its marine environment,” said Kelvin, who received the Outstanding FLASS Alumni Award 2023/24 from SES.
Working at WWF has been Kelvin’s dream since his university days. At the environmental NGO, he works in the conservation team advocating for the government to designate 30% of Hong Kong’s waters as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by 2030. MPAs are regions of the ocean where human activities are restricted or regulated to preserve natural environments and biodiversity. To maintain healthy marine ecosystems, scientists emphasise that governments worldwide must designate 30% of global waters as MPAs.
In Hong Kong, approximately 5% of our waters have been designated as Marine Parks or Marine Reserve, which align with the concept of MPAs. This is significantly below the global goal of 30%, indicating that much work remains in marine conservation efforts. “WWF is working tirelessly towards this goal through research, education, stakeholder engagement, and policy advocacy. In 2016, WWF identified 31 areas in Hong Kong’s waters that could be zoned as MPAs, with seven recognised as priority zones for immediate protection,” the young conservationist said. He added that even if all seven priority areas were classified as MPAs, only about 10% of Hong Kong’s marine environment would be under protection.
The project team studying the behaviour gap of clam harvesters at Shui Hau, from left to right: Mr Kelvin So from WWF, Dr Tommy Hui from HKU, Dr Janet Chan Kit-yan from HKU, and Dr Cheang Chi-chiu from EdUHK. The team published an academic paper in the Journal of Cleaner Production in September 2021. (Note: Dr Cheang has already left EdUHK.)
Shui Hau at South Lantau, a popular spot for clam harvesting during summer, is considered a pioneer site among these seven priority areas. “I have a special connection with Shui Hau. When I first joined WWF in 2018, I enrolled in a part-time master’s degree in environmental management at HKU. I conducted my dissertation study alongside Dr Cheang Chi-chiu at EdUHK and Dr Janet Chan Kit-yan at HKU regarding the behavioural gap of clam harvesters at Shui Hau. Our findings indicated that while most clam-diggers reported high levels of environmental awareness, their actual behaviour did not reflect these self-reported standards,” Kelvin remarked.
Kelvin uses a map to introduce the seven priority conservation sites suggested by WWF. The area he points to on the map is Shui Hau at South Lantau, the first project site he was assigned to work at when joining WWF in 2018. Kelvin continues to work with his WWF coworkers on the Shui Hau project, lobbying the government to declare the waters near the village as a Marine Protected Area.
To protect its ecosystem, WWF is lobbying the government to establish an MPA in Shui Hau. The conservation body is addressing this issue on multiple fronts: conducting research and publishing academic papers to provide evidence supporting MPA designation; engaging with the local community in Shui Hau to garner support for its initiatives; and proposing the establishment of a Shui Hau Education Centre to educate the public about the area’s unique marine biodiversity and its importance.
Apart from the Shui Hau campaign, Kelvin participates in various conservation projects at WWF. However, his dedication to environmental causes extends beyond his work there. Since his first dive, ocean conservation has occupied a special place in Kelvin’s heart, urging him to devote time to this cause even after work hours. “I am a SCUBA diving instructor. During holidays, I teach diving and take friends into Hong Kong’s underwater world and other parts of the globe, because I want them to appreciate marine life and treasure it.
At certain times with optimal tide, underwater at Ninepin can be remarkable—comparable even to that found in the Maldives.
As part of his job, Kelvin often gives talks at local secondary schools and universities. In these talks, he shares his love for the ocean and urges the younger generations to join him in protecting Hong Kong’s rich marine biodiversity.
“Ninepin Group in Sai Kung is one of my favourite diving spots in Hong Kong. Its waters feature high coverage of hard corals in shallow areas, while steep rocky slopes are dominated by soft corals. Due to its vibrant coral community, it provides refuge for various marine organisms. At certain times with optimal tide, underwater at Ninepin can be remarkable—comparable even to that found in the Maldives,” Kelvin the diver said. In addition to leading diving excursions, he also gives talks at local schools and universities about the importance of ocean conservation. “I share how my fascination with the ocean has driven me towards my current profession,” Kelvin enthusiastically stated.
While working at an international organisation like WWF allows Kelvin to meet and collaborate with like-minded scientists, educators, and lobbyists from around the world granting him a global perspective on conservation issues. He also learnt that the ocean is borderless: events occurring in one part can affect entire marine systems elsewhere.
“Coral reefs constitute only 0.01% of global ocean areas yet provide habitat for 25% of marine life worldwide. Not far from Hong Kong lies the Coral Triangle—a sea area encompassing tropical waters around Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste— home to 76% of coral species globally. Much seafood consumed by people in Hong Kong originates from this triangle. Thus, disturbances within its ecosystem directly impact seafood choices and prices here,” Kelvin explained.
Humanity’s future relies on healthy oceans; everyone plays an essential role within their preservation efforts.
Hong Kong boasts a greater variety of coral species, with its waters providing shelter to more than 25% of China’s marine organisms. Kelvin said, “The Ninepin Group in Sai Kung is one of the favourite spots for local divers, where many colorful corals and other marine life can easily be found.”
Kelvin observed that many Hong Kong people lack basic knowledge about marine conservation, let alone a global perspective on related issues. “They don’t realise that without corals our oceans would become less vibrant and diverse. Even more concerning is that most residents are unaware that Hong Kong possesses rich marine biodiversity along with diverse coral communities,” he said.
Currently, Kelvin is the Manager of Ocean Conservation at WWF. He expresses his gratitude to his alma mater for inspiring him to become a conservationist. He stated that knowledge of pedagogy is useful not only in the teaching profession but also in many other roles, including his current conservation work. “The success of ocean conservation, after all, relies on changing people’s attitudes and behaviours. At EdUHK, I learnt how to present my ideas in an engaging and convincing manner and to design educational and conservation programme plans. These skills are invaluable for organising community engagement activities and delivering public talks in my work at WWF,” Kelvin said.
From his first dive at EdUHK through to his current role at WWF, Kelvin maintains a strong passion for environmental conservation. As he said, the ocean represents one of the Earth’s largest habitats housing incredible diversity among marine life forms. “Humanity’s future relies on healthy oceans; everyone plays an essential role within their preservation efforts. I hope that by sharing my passion and knowledge with others, I can inspire greater appreciation towards ocean beauty while fostering an understanding of the importance of marine conservation. I hope by conserving our waters, we can ultimately work towards sustainable futures for our planet,” the outstanding alumnus said.
