south china sea

Hong Kong Islands

pui o beach tinyimageHong Kong Island is just one of over 200 islands and islets in the SAR. While many of these are little more than rocks, there are islands that are home to thriving communities, and others where villages are partly or wholly abandoned. Exploring them, you can stroll along narrow streets, hike trails across hills and headlands, admire waterfalls, and relax on beaches.

Submitted by Martin Williams on 5 November 2007 - 8:06am

Pedro Blanco over fishing

PedroBlanco,SouthChinaSeaEighty-five kilometres due east of Sai Kung in mainland Chinese waters lies an isolated rock pinnacle swept by deep oceanic currents and covered in colourful marine life. The rock finds itself at the centre of some of the most intense and destructive fishing pressure within the South China Sea.

During periods of calm weather when fishing is more favourable Chinese fishermen hurl packets of dynamite at the rock or drop pillow-sized bombs onto some of the deeper pinnacles. Gill nets ring the islands, lines of hooks crisscross the rocky bottom and underwater spearfishers by the boatload come from Hong Kong dressed in camouflage wetsuits and fire upon anything that moves.

All this is particularly alarming considering the rock is only 200 metres in circumference.

Submitted by CharlieF on 10 June 2004 - 7:19am
Syndicate content