#Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park

[travelernight]

Hong Kong Secrets: Uncover The Top 10 Must-Visit Hidden Gems

[solarpunks]

3D-printed clay tiles designed to restore coral reefs

Architects and marine scientists at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) have jointly developed a novel method for coral restoration making use of specially designed 3D printed artificial ‘reef tiles’ for attachment by corals to enhance their chance of survival in the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park in Hong Kong waters.

The artificial reef tiles are specially designed to aid coral restoration by providing a structurally complex foundation for coral attachment and to prevent sedimentation, one of the major threats to corals. They provide anchors for corals of opportunity, i.e. dislodged coral fragments that are unlikely to survive on their own, giving them a second chance to thrive.

The 128 pieces of reef tile with a diameter of 600mm were printed through a robotic 3D clay printing method with generic terracotta clay and then fired at 1125 degrees Celsius. The design was inspired by the patterns typical to corals and integrated several performative aspects addressing the specific conditions in Hong Kong waters.In addition to the novel design of the tiles, the materials used are more eco-friendly than the conventional use of concrete and metal. The tiles were printed in clay and then hardened to terracotta (ceramic) in a kiln. The team plans to expand their collaboration to new designs with additional functions for seabed restoration in the region.

Read more at newatlas.com or check the source for University of HK press release

[themakersmovement]

Hong Kong University researchers develop 3D printed terracotta tiles to restore coral reef A team of architects and scientists at Hong Kong University (HKU) have developed a novel method of repairing a coral reef in the nearby Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park.  The researchers designed and 3D printed 128 hexagonal clay tiles with complex structures that were custom-made to encourage coral attachment, and deployed them in three sites […] https://buff.ly/3no9BAw

[coquitove]

Oasis. Feb 2020 #HongKong #saikung #hoiha #kayak #island (at Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CU99YHghDz0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[orbemnews]

8 hidden beaches in Hong Kong Editor’s Note — CNN Travel’s series often carries sponsorship originating from the countries and regions we profile. However, CNN retains full editorial control over all of its reports. Read the policy. (CNN) — Hong Kong is known to dazzle visitors with its neon skyline and urban canyons. But don’t let that glittery cosmopolitan facade fool you. The territory is home to more than 260 outlying islands, 100-plus beaches and endless miles of raw coastline. Sunseekers may already be familiar with popular sandy spots such as Repulse Bay, Stanley and Shek O. But it’s worth seeking out farther-flung crescents for cleaner sand and clearer water, too. Here are some of Hong Kong’s more hidden beaches, which you might even have all to yourself when you travel: Long Ke Wan Long Ke Wan Beach: Soft white sands. AFCD The sandy stretches of Sai Kung East Country Park could be straight out of the Philippines, especially the stunning soft white sands of Long Ke Wan. Backed by forested hillsides and overlooking clear water, this beach isn’t easy to reach but it’s well worth the journey. Hiking over the first hill from the nearby High Island Reservoir, travelers are rewarded with sweeping views of the South China Sea and a picture-perfect crescent sweep of sand, all surrounded by mountains. The remote location in Hong Kong’s northeastern corner protects the beach from overuse. Long Ke Wan is just the beginning of a string of beautiful beaches along Tai Long Wan bay. Getting there: From Diamond Hill MTR , a 30-minute taxi ride reaches the High Island Reservoir. From there it’s another 30-minutes on foot. Tung Ping Chau Tung Ping Chau is one of the best places to snorkel in Hong Kong. AFCD Located in the northeast corner of Mirs Bay — closer to Shenzhen, China, than to Hong Kong — Tung Ping Chau is the city’s most remote island. The sunny speck in the sea features curious rocks formations along the coastline, great snorkeling, clean water and soft, sandy beaches. To break up the day, follow the island’s three-hour-long walking trail through the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark to explore the many natural formations and rock pools. Hong Kong might not be your stereotypical beach town. But it’s home to some truly stunning stretches of sand. Video by Black Buddha Along the way, you can stop in Tai Tong Village for refreshments, though we’d recommend coming prepared with your own supplies. Getting there: Ferries to Tung Ping Chau depart from Ma Liu Shui Ferry Pier, in northeastern Hong Kong, and take roughly 1.5 hours each way. As ferry services are limited, it’s wise to check times before the journey. Ham Tin Wan Ham Tin Wan: Clear water, rugged mountains. Chingleung/Creative Commons A discussion about Hong Kong’s most beautiful beaches never fails to include a mention of Tai Long Wan. The remote bay is home to four beaches — Sai Wan, Ham Tin Wan, Tai Wan and Tung Wan — each separated by hills. You’ll need to set aside an entire day to hike from beach to beach. But if you prefer to focus on just one of the four, we’d recommend Ham Tin Wan. Not only does the beach offer clear water and rugged mountain scenery, but there’s more infrastructure here — think a snack stall, bathrooms and water sport rentals. Along the trek from Sai Wan beach to Ham Tin, you’ll come across Sheung Luk Stream, which branches into the woods. Follow this stream for about 15 minutes until you reach tiered waterfalls and a series of rock pools. It’s the perfect place for a quick swim, picnic or bout of cliff jumping (at your own risk) before continuing on to Ham Tin. Getting there: Departing from Central, make your way to Sai Kung Village. From there, you can either take a kaito ferry or minibus No. 29R to the trailhead at Sai Wan Pavilion. If hiking, the journey takes about 40 minutes to reach Sai Wan. Lo So Shing Find yourself an empty plot on Lo So Shing beach. Leisure and Cultural Services Department On the western coast of Lamma Island, this quiet beach is oft overlooked in favor of the more popular Powerstation or Hung Shing Ye beaches. But after a short hike, you’ll be rewarded with exceptionally clean water and, quite possibly, a cove all to yourself. The facilities are pretty bare bones here — there’s a refreshment stand, some water sports vendors and bathrooms — but the powdery sand is hard to beat. After hitting the beach, visitors can wander up to Yung Shue Wan village for a leisurely lunch or sunset drinks. Getting there: From Central, take the ferry to Sok Kwu Wan fishing village and follow the Family Walk for roughly 20 minutes. When you reach the hilltop pavilion, turn left and walk downhill until you reach Lo So Shing. Turtle Cove It’s nearly impossible to find a quiet plot of sand on Hong Kong island, but Turtle Cove might be the rare outlier. This oft deserted beach sits on the southern side of the island, just south of Tai Tam Reservoir. You can’t see it from above, as it’s hidden at the bottom of 200-some stairs. Descending through the tree-fringed corridor, the beach finally comes into sight — nothing but golden sands and mountain scenery in sight. On site, there are a few government-run facilities, including lifeguards in season, barbecue pits, toilets and a refreshment kiosk. Getting there: From Sai Wan Ho MTR station, take Bus No. 15 to the Tai Tam Reservoir. Hoi Ha Wan Hoi Wa Wan beach is home to an abundance of marine life. AFCD On the northern coast of Sai Kung East Country Park, Hoi Ha Wan usually draws kayakers, snorkelers and nature lovers. Part of a protected marine park, the boulder-hugged beach is home to an abundance of colorful marine life, including more than 120 species of fish, 60 types of hard coral and labyrinthine mangrove forests. Back on land, there’s a scenic village that’s home to traditional temples and a few observation points. At the village, you can stock up on snacks, drinks and snorkeling gear before diving in. Getting there: From Sai Kung Village, take Minibus No. 7 to Hoi Ha Tsuen Village and make your way to the beach. Tong Fuk Beach A small strip of sand on Lantau Island’s southern coast, Tong Fuk Beach offers the best of both worlds. It’s within walking distance to more popular Cheung Sha beaches, where you’ll find popular beach bars such as Bathers … but just far enough that it’s nearly always deserted. Tong Fuk Beach doesn’t provide much more than a changing room and toilets; however, what it lacks in infrastructure, it makes up for with firm gray sand, clean water and spectacular sunsets. Getting there: Take the ferry from Central to Mui Wo, then catch Bus No. 1 to South Lantau and alight near the beach. Hap Mun Wan Sharp Island’s “Half Moon Bay.” Hong Kong Tourism Board Meaning “Half Moon Bay,” Hap Mun Wan is one of the most remote beaches in the territory. It’s no secret to Hong Kong residents, but few travelers make the hike. Located on Sharp Island off the coast of Sai Kung, in northeastern Hong Kong, the beach can only be accessed via a kaito (local ferry), which you can catch from the Sai Kung Town pier. Once you reach the beach, you’ll find a brilliant stretch of golden sand, Grade 1 water (the cleanest in Hong Kong) and leafy hills on either side. The government-run beach includes all the basic services, including snack kiosks, toilets and barbecue pits. But be sure to pack your own lunch — plus lots of sunscreen. Also on the island, adventurous travelers may want to tackle the one-hour trek northwest through Kiu Tsui Country Park. Part of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, the western coast is home to volcanic rock formations — dubbed “pineapple bun rocks” due to their resemblance to a namesake Hong Kong baked good — and a tombolo (natural sand levee) that connects to smaller Kiu Tau island. Getting there: At Sai Kung Village, hop on the next kaito at the pier. If you’re on a tight timeline, you can also hire a private boat. Source link Orbem News #beaches #hidden #Hong #Kong

[newslookout]

3D printed tiles help revive coral beds in Hong Kong coastal waters

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A project that aims to restore lost coral beds in local Hong Kong waters has found that hexagonal clay tiles made using 3D printing technology provide a suitable habitat for the species to grow and repopulate. Under a project launched in 2016, scientists from the University of Hong Kong placed tiles designed to look like coral on a sea floor an area of Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park. Researchers found that after only two months, the coral had a 100 per cent survival rate on the 3D printed tiles beds.

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The post 3D printed tiles help revive coral beds in Hong Kong coastal waters appeared first on News Lookout.

source https://newslookout.com/world-news/3d-printed-tiles-help-revive-coral-beds-in-hong-kong-coastal-waters/

[connorrenwick]

Revitalizing Biodiversity with 3D-Printed Coral Tiles

Following the 3D-printed footsteps of previous efforts to save coastal marine biodiversity utilizing technology and biomimicry, architects and marine scientists at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) have jointly developed a novel method for coral restoration making use of specially designed 3D-printed artificial ‘reef tiles’ for attachment by corals to enhance their chance of survival in the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park in Hong Kong waters.

A project commissioned by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) to combat bio-erosion of essential coral habitat home to more than 120 fish species, architects from HKU’s Robotic Fabrication Lab, under the Fabrication and Material Technologies Lab of the Faculty of Architecture, and marine scientists from the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) of the Faculty of Science at HKU collaborated to develop reef tiles printed with intricate detailing optimized to invite live coral attachment.

The reef tiles were 3D-printed using reef-safe terracotta, using a robotic 3D clay printing method before firing each piece at 1,125 degrees Celsius to eventually be seeded with coral fragments. The finished pieces were then introduced within three selected sites across the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park in Hong Kong waters.

Though beautiful in their own right, the intricate patterns of each tile aren’t merely aesthetic, but designed to represent different growth forms of branching patterns of three endemic coral species – staghorn, massive brain and foliose plating colony forms – and optimize restoration of the ailing coral communities.

The project printed out 128 pieces of reef tile, covering roughly 40 square meters in total. If proven successful, the team plans to expand their collaboration to new designs to promote seabed restoration in the region in other ways across the ocean floor landscape. Additional information about the project is over at HKU Architecture.

via http://design-milk.com/

from WordPress https://connorrenwickblog.wordpress.com/2020/09/11/revitalizing-biodiversity-with-3d-printed-coral-tiles/

[bentonpena]

These 3D printed terracotta tiles along Hong Kong’s coast are designed to revive the marine coral life!

These 3D printed terracotta tiles along Hong Kong’s coast are designed to revive the marine coral life! https://bit.ly/2DpGGKa

Coral reefs are one of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world and I can say that from my personal diving experience – there is a whole colorful world that thrives underwater and we must protect it because they support more species per unit area than any other marine environment! Coral presence has rapidly declined all over the world, especially in the last decade so Hong Kong-based marine scientists and architects have created terra-cotta tiles to help rebuild and give corals a fighting chance against climate change. This is a crucial leap for ocean restoration projects!

Hong Kong saw an 80% decline in the coral population in Double Island, Sai Kung, over the past decade and that drove the team to come up with a solution that would not only help that region but also the rest of the world that was blessed with corals. The team from Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and its Robotic Fabrication Lab of the faculty of architecture worked together to 3D print terra-cotta tiles that will act as artificial reefs. The result is a mesmerizing, organic swirl of line and negative space that reads like a burnt orange topographic map—and mimics the natural patterns of the coral itself. Why terra-cotta? It’s highly porous with “nice surface micro-texture” for marine organisms to latch on to, says team member Dave Baker, and an eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials such as cement or metal, the HKU team says.

The team 3D printed terra-cotta clay into the reef tile pattern and fired it to 2,057 degrees Fahrenheit to produce the 128 tiles so far. Each tile is almost two feet in diameter. The team placed the reef tiles seeded with coral fragments over about a 430-square-foot area across three sites within Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park in Hong Kong this past July and will monitor it for the next two years. The designs can also be specific to the environment and underwater conditions where they are placed; for instance, the team designed these tiles to prevent sedimentation buildup, a major problem in Hong Kong waters. The tiles interlock organically which enables the team to keep expanding when needed without disturbing existing settings. It gives the corals lots of nooks and crannies to anchor onto. Manmade or artificial reefs help restore lost coral populations by reintroducing an environment amenable to regrowth—and they’ve been made of everything from purposefully submerged shipwrecks to cement sculptures because corals aren’t picky, they just want to grow!

Designer: Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) of the University of Hong Kong (HKU)

The robotic 3D printing process offers unique advantages in the design and production of artificial reefs, it makes production easier and more efficient, by allowing the team to create large pieces in a short amount of time. It also enables the team to create tiles with different designs and functions that could be specific to certain corals and help in accelerating their growth.

“Though these tiles could be produced with other methods, such as making a double-sided mold, it would be quite complex to do since the design of the tile is very three-dimensional,” Lange says. “3D printing offers the advantage to produce objects and parts much more cost-effectively. But the most powerful advantage of it is that it could print each object with a different design without increasing the cost.”

The team from Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and its Robotic Fabrication Lab of the faculty of architecture worked together to 3D print terra-cotta tiles that will act as artificial reefs. With time the team will use different designs in the next iteration to figure out how they affect the species.

Design via Yanko Design https://bit.ly/33D9esf August 5, 2020 at 07:10AM