Between Oct 1 and 5, Greenpeace conducted field surveys at several Sai Kung hotspots, including Hap Mun Bay within the geopark, the Po Pin Chau section near the East Dam and Long Ke, to count visitors and record damaging behaviour.
At Hap Mun Bay on Oct 4, the group recorded more than 100 incidents involving visitors collecting marine life or coral remains.
These included catching live sea cucumbers, using metal tools to dig out sea snails and clams, and picking up coral skeletons.
At 3pm that day, as many as 23 visitors were digging at the same time, with no officers seen patrolling or intervening, the group said.
The waters of Hap Mun Bay support coral communities, but the government’s proposed marine park boundaries cover only the eastern and western sides of Sharp Island, excluding the bay, according to Greenpeace.
The group warned that concentrating enforcement efforts within the proposed marine park could push crowds towards Hap Mun Bay, putting pressure on its coastal ecology.
Ha said only seasonal closures of the Po Pin Chau trail for restoration work could effectively protect the natural environment.