Authorities and WWF-Hong Kong have intensified patrols and education on Sharp Island to stop visitors removing crabs and shells during the Labour Day holiday. A South China Morning Post reporter saw families collecting them on Friday afternoon but releasing after warnings. The efforts anticipate higher footfall over the golden week break.
At around 3.30pm on Friday, a South China Morning Post reporter observed visitors, many with families, collecting crabs and shells along the narrow sandbar linking Sharp Island's two landmasses in Sai Kung.
"We already know we can’t take the crabs away [from the island] since I checked the local regulations beforehand," said a 42-year-old mainland tourist surnamed Chen, approached by WWF-Hong Kong staff after his son was spotted collecting crabs. The boy released the animals after the intervention. "The officers’ action was effective. No one would come again if the place was damaged," Chen added.
Authorities have stepped up patrols and education efforts on the island ahead of increased footfall over the Labour Day ‘golden week’ break. While the holiday lasts five days on the mainland, Hongkongers only get May 1 off, which falls on a Friday this year.