Welcome to Coral Academy
How It Got Started
The Coral Academy, based at the Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, is an initiative focused on coral conservation, restoration, and public education. Led by Dr. Apple Chui, a Research Assistant Professor in the School of Life Sciences, the Coral Academy has the following key objectives:
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To enhance public awareness and knowledge of Hong Kong's rich marine biodiversity, environmental issues, problems and solutions, with a special emphasis on coral communities through seminars, workshops, eco-tours, and lab visits.
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To build emotional connections between participants and local coral ecosystems, fostering a sense of ownership and stewardship, through hands-on experiences like coral adoption, propagation, nursery maintenance, outplanting, and field monitoring.
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To promote pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors among participants, empowering them to become champions of coral conservation.
Over the past five years, we have successfully engaged with at least 60 local schools, over 30,000 students and teachers, and over 300,000 public through our extensive education outreach efforts.
© Coral Academy
Meet the founder
Dr. Apple Chui
Assistant Professor, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
Apple Chui (Aka “coral mum”) is an Assistant Professor in the School of Life Sciences at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the first PEW marine fellow from Hong Kong, National Geographic Explorer, and a recipient of the GGEF Women Eco Game Changer Awards - Eco star of China 2019. With a primary research focus on the effects of climate change on marginal coral communities, Dr. Chui explores interventions aimed at enhancing coral resilience and implementing coral restoration initiatives.
Coral Academy Lab
Our research focuses on the biology, ecology and restoration of coral ecosystems in Hong Kong, a marginal environment for coral growth. Our research addresses two main questions: How will projected future climate change affect corals that are currently present in marginal coral environments like Hong Kong? And can we enhance coral population resilience and restore degraded coral habitats at ecologically meaningful scales?
1st Time in Hong Kong
For the first time in Hong Kong, our laboratory-bred and outplanted corals are sexually mature and spawn simultaneously in the wild, giving birth to the second generation coral babies.
Around 90% Survival
The overall survival of our laboratory-bred and ouplanted corals is around 90% in Tolo Harbour and Channel, Hong Kong.
Enhance Biodiversity
The outplanted corals in Tolo Channel have successfully attracted indicator species such as seahorse and butterflyfish.
Take some time to explore the blog, read something interesting, and feel free to reach out if you would like to collaborate on a project together.
Coral Academy's Education Outreach
Coral Academy’s flagship education project, the In-School Coral Nursery Education Programme, fosters a deep connection between local corals and students through hands-on involvement in coral restoration efforts. In addition to this flagship project, the Academy organises a range of engaging activities including seminars, workshops, lab visits, citizens science programmes and exhibitions. These activities provide participants with valuable knowledge, emphasising the vibrant marine biodiversity and coral communities that thrive within the waters of Hong Kong.
Check it out:
© Coral Academy
In-School Coral Nursery Education Programme
育養珊瑚校園計劃
Full academic year
Turning local secondary schools into coral culturing stations before outplanting. This one-year programme is designed to provide students with solid knowledge and experiences in coral conservation works through school-based culturing of alive local coral fragments, which will then be outplanted for actual local coral restoration work in Hong Kong. By taking the vital role of maintaining coral tanks and monitoring coral growth and health, teams of teachers and students can learn about coral biology and ecology while establishing a sense of mission to restore coral communities and protect the ocean. Throughout the year, there are also various conservation engagement activities, including guided eco-tours, aquarium tours, and sharing sessions.
將全港中學化為珊瑚培育基地，而本地中學生及老師則組成團隊擔當起照料及紀錄珊瑚健康成長的重大任務，從體驗中學習到香港海洋生態及科學知識，同時建立保護海洋的使命感！在全年計劃中，參加團隊亦有分享保育經驗的環節,與校內外群體宣揚珊瑚保育重要性，一同見證香港的珊瑚保育工作。「育養珊瑚校園計劃」參加學校由起初的5間增至本年度26間中學，育養珊瑚的種類更多元化，全年的活動亦日趨豐富，包括海岸公園戶外生態導賞、水族館導賞、校內外分享環節等，讓師生有更深入及全面的海洋保育學習體驗。
Past Education Outreach Programmes
Learn about Coral Communities in Tung Ping Chau Marine Park
東平洲珊瑚生態探索之旅
A quick glimpse of Hong Kong’s vibrant marine life and the wonders of the coral world through a variety of interactive activities, including an introductory seminar on corals, hands-on coral identification workshops, and a guided eco-shore exploration in the marine park.
Coral Academy x WWF-HK
Citizen Scientist Programme: Coral Rescuer
珊瑚學院 x 世界自然基金會香港分會
公民科學家計劃：珊瑚拯救小隊
A collaborative programme between the Coral Academy, WWF, and the community of local SCUBA divers aimed to engage citizens in hands-on coral conservation efforts and build awareness about the importance of protecting these vital marine ecosystems.
Media Coverage
Blog
Our Key Collaborators
Adjunct Associate Professor/ Senior Research Fellow (Honorary)
Prof. Ang Put
Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Associate Professor
Prof. James Fang
Faculty of Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Director, Hong Kong Marine Ecological Association