Biodiversity
AAHK aims to avoid and minimise adverse impacts on nature and biodiversity related to the development and operation of HKIA.
Nature and biodiversity are important considerations for Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK). We recognise that our activities in and around Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and within our complex supply chains may have impacts on nature and biodiversity.
During 2024/25, we began an in-depth analysis of our business footprint to map material biodiversity impacts and dependencies relating to our facilities, operations and value chain. This will help us set a clear course to address our immediate nature priorities in alignment with current and emerging best practices and standards. These efforts will assist us in pinpointing areas of focus and inform the development of a roadmap to address nature risks as an integral part of our sustainability strategy.
Our Story
Marine Ecology and Fisheries Enhancement Strategy
AAHK is highly committed to protecting and enhancing the rich and diverse habitats and natural environments around HKIA. Located north of Lantau Island, our airport is surrounded by a range of marine and terrestrial habitats that are home to several species of significant ecological value. As part of our commitment, we have implemented a Marine Ecology and Fisheries Enhancement Strategy (MEFES) since the early stages of the Three-Runway System (3RS) expansion as a long-term voluntary undertaking.
The MEFES includes both statutory and voluntary initiatives for enhancing the marine environment for the benefit of marine ecology (including Chinese White Dolphins) and to provide support and assistance to the fishing community and to encourage more sustainable fishing operations. Initiatives are either implemented directly by AAHK, or through various projects funded by the Marine Ecology Enhancement Fund (MEEF) and the Fisheries Enhancement Fund (FEF).
Marine Ecology Enhancement Fund and Fisheries Enhancement Fund
In late 2016, AAHK established the MEEF and FEF with a total capital injection of HK$400 million. These funds, run by independent management committees, aim to enhance the marine environment for the benefit of marine ecology and fisheries resources.
Funded projects are typically managed and carried out by universities, research organisations, and fisheries industry associations.
Examples of funded projects include:
- A multi-year pearl farming pilot project;
- Pilot project to breed Australian redclaw crayfish in a factory building;
- A study on the ecological risks of microplastics on Chinese horseshoe crabs;
- Study on Value of Peri-urban and Small-scale Mangrove Forests in the Pearl River Estuary as Fish Habitats; and
- Sustainable Aquaculture Development Project.
North Lantau Marine Park
The North Lantau Marine Park (NLMP) was established in late 2024 as a mitigation measure for marine habitats impacted by the 3RS project. Covering 2,400 hectares, the NLMP connects with existing adjacent marine parks to form a combined marine park matrix of about 4,500 hectares. This interconnected protected area is expected to deliver positive, synergistic effects for the conservation of marine ecology, including Chinese White Dolphins (CWDs) and fisheries resources. In conjunction with the NLMP designation, AAHK has also pursued a range of enhancement initiatives to enrich the local marine environment and support healthy fisheries.
Voluntary Enhancement Measures
Under the MEFES, AAHK has implemented a number of voluntary marine ecology and fisheries enhancement projects in Lantau waters.
Artificial Reef (AR) and Shellfish Reef (SR) Deployment
In 2021, AAHK deployed 100 AR units on the seabed west of HKIA’s South Runway and placed around 400 tonnes of limestone along a section of the North Runway’s northern seawall, with shellfish deployed and seeded among the limestone. A 12-month monitoring programme revealed positive ecological benefits. The SRs recorded over five times more species compared to the start of the project, and four times more than control boulders on the shoreline. Furthermore, ARs recorded five times more species than the baseline period after deployment. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of AR and SR deployments in increasing species diversity. Building on this success, AAHK scaled up the initiatives in North Lantau waters, deploying over 0.5 kilometre of SR along a section of the seawall south of the North Runway in September 2024, and 500 AR units on the seabed west of HKIA’s Centre Runway in May 2025.
Fish Restocking
AAHK completed fish restocking pilot tests in 2019, releasing over 8,000 fish fingerlings near the artificial sea wall west of the airport island. In 2023, AAHK released approximately 20,000 fish fingerlings at the pilot AR site, along with about 1,000,000 shrimp fry released in embayed waters west of the airport.
The effectiveness of the releases was established via acoustic monitoring, remote underwater videos, and underwater visual censuses. In June 2025, AAHK followed up with the release of 60,000 fish fingerlings at two AR sites and 1,000,000 shrimp fry along the southwest Lantau coastline, coinciding with National Fish Releasing Day. Notably, 10,000 of the released fingerlings were bred in Hong Kong—the first use of locally bred fish in a fish release exercise.
Other voluntary initiatives include:
- Adopting eco-enhanced designs in the artificial seawalls of the 3RS project; and
- Conducting supplementary surveys on Chinese White Dolphin in North Lantau waters.
Awards & Recognition
