Explore the Forgotten Role of Oyster Reefs in Protecting Our Shores and Supporting Biodiversity
HONG KONG, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the city prepares to welcome the Year of the Horse, a traditional Lunar New Year symbol takes on new significance, the golden oyster – long associated with prosperity, abundance, and good fortune — now carries a deeper message
Beyond its festive glow, the oyster tells a story of ecological power and quiet loss. Once thriving along Hong Kong’s coastlines, oyster reefs played a vital role as natural water filters, wave buffers, and biodiversity hotspots. Today, they have all but vanished — and with them, a crucial part of the city’s marine heritage.
This January, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) ) invites the public to reconnect with this forgotten ecosystem through the finale edition of its interactive exhibition series: Reviving Hong Kong’s Ocean Heritage: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs. The exhibition will take place at the linkbridge at Lincoln House, Taikoo Place, from January 12 to 23, 2026 (weekdays only).
Located in one of the Hong Kong’s most vibrant business districts, the exhibition offers professionals and the public alike a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and discover how they can make a tangible impact on ocean conservation.
From Festive Symbol to Ecological Reality
In Chinese tradition, oysters have long symbolized wealth and longevity — their golden form representing luck and blessings for the year ahead. But the oyster’s real-world role is just as powerful. Beneath the surface, oyster reefs anchor entire marine ecosystems: filtering water, stabilizing shorelines, and supporting biodiversity.
Globally, over 85% of oyster reefs have been lost, making them one of the most endangered marine habitats. In Hong Kong, they once supported local livelihoods and coastal resilience — yet their disappearance has gone largely unnoticed.
This exhibition brings their story back into focus, showing how restoring oyster reefs is a nature-based solution that supports climate adaptation, biodiversity recovery, and sustainable economic development.
“Biodiversity loss is no longer an abstract concept — it’s a material risk for business, communities, and long-term economic stability,” said Anthony Gao, Executive Director for Hong Kong and Regional Partnerships.
“Restoring oyster reefs is more than conservation. It’s a practical, nature-based solution that strengthens coastal resilience, supports ESG goals, and helps build a blue economy that benefits both people and the planet. Through this exhibition, we hope to inspire Hong Kong’s business community to take the lead — by integrating nature into strategy, and turning sustainability commitments into tangible action.”
Immersive Learning Experience and Highlights
The exhibition offers a multisensory journey designed to educate and inspire:
- A Virtual Reality Journey to restoration sites in Deep Bay and Pak Nai.
- A full-scale Traditional Oyster Farming Model, featuring authentic poles from Deep Bay.
- A Water Filtration Video Demonstration, showcasing the oysters natural ability to clean water.
- A Coastal Resilience Simulation showing how oyster reefs reduce wave impact and protect shorelines from storm surges.
- Marine Specimens & AR Games inviting participants to rebuild digital reefs.
- Screening of City of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs, a documentary tracing 1,000-year oyster heritage.
Special Lunar New Year Surprises
To celebrate the new year with hope and prosperity, visitors will have the chance to receive a limited-edition Oyster BB’s Lucky Scroll — a creative Lunar New Year fai chun that blends festive charm with a call to protect nature. A special red pouch will also be available to selected visitors through on-site engagement, while supplies last.
These efforts would not be possible without the invaluable support and collaboration of our partners. TNC extends its sincere gratitude to the Swire Group Charitable Trust for its generous support, to Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) and the Explorer Club Hong Kong (ECHK) for their continue expertise and collaboration; and to our venue sponsor, Taikoo Place, for providing a vibrant and accessible platform for public engagement in the heart of one of Hong Kong’s most dynamic business communities.
Exhibition Details
Dates: January 12–23, 2026 (Mon–Fri only)
Time: 10:00 – 19:00
Venue: 1/F, Lincoln House linkbridge, Taikoo Place
Admission: Free
About The Nature Conservancy Hong Kong (TNC)
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 83 countries and territories (39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. TNC has been in Asia Pacific for over 30 years with projects in Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. In 2019, TNC was awarded the Lui Che Woo Prize for Sustainable Development. To learn more. please visit:
Website: http://www.tnc.org.hk
Facebook: TNC HK 大自然保護協會
Instagram: @tnc_hk
LinkedIn: The Nature Conservancy in Hong Kong
About TNC’s Reef Resilience Network
2025 marks the 20th anniversary of TNC’s Reef Resilience Network — a global platform that has trained over 55,000 marine professionals in 92 countries and provides science-based tools to more than 1 million users annually. From Hong Kong’s oyster beds to coral reefs worldwide, TNC is committed to building a more resilient future for our oceans.
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SOURCE The Nature Conservancy
