Hong Kong steps up patrols after ‘golden week’ tourists overrun Sai Kung island

Hong Kong will step up patrols at a Unesco Global Geopark for the rest of the National Day “golden week” break after hordes of tourists flooded the place, with some trampling on corals and starting fires.

The Environment and Ecology Bureau on Sunday said that staff from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) together with officers from police force and Marine Department launched a joint operation on Sharp Island, also known as Kiu Tsui Chau, in Sai Kung.

It said that the bureau took “swift, coordinated action” with other departments after tourists were seen littering, starting fires, disturbing marine life and illegally mooring boats at the island, which is one of the most accessible parts of the geopark.

“Conditions at Sharp Island have returned to normal,” the bureau said in a social media post. “This joint effort will continue for the rest of the golden week holiday until October 8.”

AFCD and police officers on Sunday stepped up patrols at Sharp Island to check for illegal activities, while the Marine Department deployed more patrol boats to Sai Kung waters to check for illegally moored vessels.

The bureau would also deploy additional manpower to clean up litter on Sharp Island for the rest of the golden week holidays, it said.