| Project | Tyre Artificial Reefs for Marine Conservation |
| Description | This is a project to design and construct Tyre Artificial Reefs (TAR), and to deploy them in four marine parks to promote fishery and for conservation purposes. In 1997, the Hong Kong Government issued its first international tender for the TAR. M&P Group won the tender with a creative design. The project was successfully completed; and M&P’s patented design was used repeatedly in other marine parks. |
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As a Marine Conservation Device in Hong Kong In 1960′s, the Hong Kong Government promoted trawling technology to the local fishing industry, and the local waters had been bottom-trawled ever since. After 30 years, the seabed was reduced to a muddy flat. The ruined marine habitat provided little shelter for fish to rest against the constant ocean current. The local fishery deteriorated drastically; and the Hong Kong Government reversed its policy on local trawling and began marine conservation. An Artificial Reef Program was undertaken to restore marine habitat at strategic locations. Tyre artificial reefs were chosen as one of such marine conservation devices. In 1997, the first such project was carried out for Tyre Artificial Reefs at Hoi Ha Wan and Yan Chau Tong Marine Park; and Hong Kong Government issued an international tender for these TAR. These TAR’s would be designed and built by specialists to promote fishery and serve as anti-trawling devices (because by law, trawling was not allowed within marine parks). |
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The Only Successful Tyre Artificial Reef in the World Tyre Artificial Reefs are banned in USA because their TARs could not survive the marine environment and corroded badly; and the tyres loose broke and spread all over the seabed causing pollution. Other nations experienced similar failure’s in their TAR projects. After studying the overseas failures, the Hong Kong government decided to undertake the TAR project with a higher standard; and required a minimum 20 years of product life, after which marine growth on the TAR’s would transform them into natural structures. While all the overseas tenderers used expensive stainless steel devices to lock the tyres into the structure, M&P’s TAR was based on an innovative design and completely non-metallic. This design eliminates corrosion and is ideal for the marine enviroment. For over 16 years now, all M&P’s tyre reefs had survived the sea water environment, the trawling, dynamite fishing, etc. ; and none had sunk into the muddy seabed (as concrete artificial reefs did). |