Ekin Dream/ Ekin Cheng/ WWF

World Wildlife Fund-Hong Kong

Ekin Cheng Yee-Kin

Marine Ambassador

The World Wild Life Fund is very proud to have Ekin Cheng as its Hong Kong Marine Environment Ambassador.

Ekin not only works hard to promote issues of conservation to the general public, he is a committed volunteer in a number of vital conservation projects.

Hoi Ha Wan Marine Conservation Center Exhibition - September 2002

Ekin officially opened an exhibition of the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Conservation Center at Park Court, Pacific Place. In addition he helped to kick off a Coral Tree Campaign to raise funds for the center.

I am very impressed by the corals and marine life at Hoi Ha Wan. I made a dive about three weeks ago to observe the coral and the reef fish. Our rich marine environment is a treasure and we are obliged to protect it. I am very excited to be the Marine Ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund in Hong Kong and I will certainly do my best to promote the conservation message to the general public. In order for the center to be fully operational by next summer, we need people to donate and purchase one of the fish plaques to hand on the coral tree. Each important donation will be used to help to fit the center.

Chinese White Dolphin Survey

Ekin joined a regular white dolphin survey voyage because he wants to actively contribute to the work of the World Wildlife Fund as Marine Ambassador. Ekin helped with all the work necessary to complete the survey. However, because he is a celebrity, a film crew joined the expedition to record Ekin's involvement.

Ekin prepares for the interview and filming of the expedition.

Ekin explains the days events and his desire to participate in the dolphin survey.

Ekin together with the other volunteers and the film crew prepare to get underway.

Ekin helped to deploy a hydrophone so that when the dolphins were sighted the scientists would be able to listen to and record their whistles, chirps and clicks.

Ekin took a turn at the top of the mast scanning the ocean for the dolphins. After scanning for nearly an hour Ekin spotted a group of dolphins.

Another volunteer came up to get a fix on the sighting and allow Ekin to return to the deck. The switch over was a tight fit on the mast platform.

Ekin was able to listen to the singing of the dolphins through the hydrophone. Perhaps they knew he was a singer too.

Marine Ambassador Promotes Marine Conservation - October 2002

Ekin together with other celebrities from radio and TV helped to share the bio diversity of the Hong Kong marine environment with students from local schools. The also hung more corporate donations on the coral tree.

The Hoi Ha Wan Center also hosts educational programs. Ekin helped school children to identify and classify the marine species found in the Hong Kong waters.

Roadshow Winners Explore Hoi Ha Wan Coastal Ecology - November 2002

Ekin made a short video promoting the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Center for Roadshow. The video was aired on buses and trains around Hong Kong. In association with the video an internet quiz was sponsored. The winners spent the day exploring the coastal ecology with Ekin in his role as WWF Marine Ambassador.

The objective of running this eco-tour is to provide the participants a real chance to discover the coastal ecology of Hoi Ha Wan by themselves.

The more the people to understand the bio diversity abundance of Hoi Ha Wan, the higher the chance the precious marine environment could be protected.

The future Hoi Ha Marine Life Center will also provide an education platform to promote the concept of marine conservation to the general public.

Visitors will be able to view the more than 59 species of coral and related marine life in a glass bottomed boat.

The coastal ecology of Hoi Ha Wan is a redwood forest. There are many unique species of plants and animals.

On many of the rocks around the center barnacles and rock oysters can be found.

Hoi Ha Wan boasts is one of the last remaining kilns, which was used by villagers in the past to make lime for the building industry.

Ekin Makes Short Film to Advocate Care for the Ocean Environment - November 2003

At the start of November Ekin in his capacity as the World Wildlife Fund's ambassador made a short film to stress care of the ocean environment to the public. The main content of the film shows the threat to the marine environment from abandoned fishing nets and city resident's garbage being washed ashore.

Ekin prepares to dive to the ocean floor to take part in the retrieval of abandoned fishnets.

Evidence suggests that there are about 1,600 kilometers of abandoned fishing nets on the sea floor. Ekin and other dive volunteers plan to retrieve one of these nets.

When a net is located a float bottle is attached to it to fix it's position.

Ekin and members of the volunteer dive crew drag an abandoned fish net aboard the boat.

Ekin uses scissors to cut open the net and free the trapped marine organisms.

Ekin explained that the abandoned fishing nets wrap around very many marine organisms. This causes them severe injury often so much so that they die.

In the film Ekin also talks about the threat from the garbage of city residents. He explained that of all the garbage that is emptied into the sea as much as 30% washes back onto the beaches. Ekin also spends time helping to clear the beach of this garbage.

Abandoned fishing nets cause much distress to the ocean organisms, cause them to get injuries or even die. Divers and swimmers are also part of the problem. The situation causes me much concern. Originally every kind of marine life could freely live in this area, but because of the fishing nets, and other man made activities such as the ocean fill in engineering projects, and the sea water pollution from emptying out garbage into the sea, the ocean environment is being destroyed. This is really a waste of the ocean's natural resources. The public should cherish the precious ocean environment and by their behavior appreciate the beauty of the nature around them and avoid causing marine life unnecessary harassment. To help please become members of the World Wildlife Fund and together with me help to protect the ocean environment.

To join the World Wild Life Fund

Hoi Ha Wan Charity Walk -to be held April 25, 2004

Ekin is the WWF's ambassador for the Ocean environment. On April 25,2004 there will be a charity walk at the Hoi Ha Wan nature reserve. The walk will be a fundraiser to help the WWF carryout it's ocean wildlife protection programs and registrations from walkers are already being accepted. Yesterday morning Ekin together with a WWF staff member walked the route and made a short video to publicize the event. the video starting next week will be shown on the informational M Channel and also will be broadcast on outside TV screens at the center. Information can also be found on the WWF web site.

After Ekin had finished the walk he explained: "Throughout the journey you can not only increase your knowledge of the wildlife but also may appreciate the beautiful scenery, especially Da Tan strait and the Red Tree Forests. Besides this will also help the WWF carry out it's ocean protection work. This is a very worthwhile activity. People who want to walk should meet on the Wharf in Sai Kung, then they will take a boat to walk the path. The walk will be along the coast and will end back at the wharf in Sai Kung. The journey is estimated to take about three and a half hours. Everyone over the age of 10 years old is welcome, but walking in the mountains experience is helpful as the route is difficult."

A WWF Conservation Center staff member and WWF Ocean Ambassador Ekin Cheng investigate thoroughly the route of the walk.

Ekin and his companion walk the route to make a short video to publicize the event. The route is difficult and some experience of mountain walking would be helpful. Everyone over the age of 10 years old is welcome to participate. Participation will help the WWF continue its ocean protection programs.

WWF Ambassador for the Ocean Environment Ekin Cheng together with a WWF Conservation Center staff member introduce the red tree forest and the way it is being preserved.

WWF press release-Hong Kong

Hoi Ha Charity Walk -April 25, 2004

Ekin, as Marine Ambassador together with Sarah Liao the Secretary of the Environment and the Chairman of the WWF HK, led more than 1300 walkers at the Hoi Ha Charity walk.

The Chairman of the WWF welcomed Ekin and talked about the of the WWF to preserve the white dolphins and the coral species. The event was sponsored by Canon HK. who fully supports the efforts of the WWF 's marine conservation. Ekin is also endorses Canon Cameras.

Ekin the other guests of the WWF led the walkers to start the trail. Ekin had walked the trail earlier The walkers were divided into to 4 sections. Beginning in Sai Kung they followed the Tan Tan Country Trail to see the diverse marine wildlife and scenery. Information leaflets and posters detailing the ecological importance of the species were posted along the route.

Ekin said "Hong Kong has a rich marine biodiversity with over 80 coral species and 320 reef fish species identified. Just at Hoi Ha Wan, over 50 coral species and 120 fish species have been recorded. We all share the responsibility of protecting these beautiful and precious marine life and heritage for our present and future generations."

Ekin Attends Big Fish Count Event to Protect Ocean Environment - May 2004

World Wildlife Fund Ocean Ambassador, Ekin Cheng, posed for photographs with kindergarten students.

Hong Kong leads the world in the most varieties of fish and will participate in a fish count competition. On June 20, 2004, the diving team will, as much as is possible, record the number of fish varieties in order to win a prize. The WWF's goal is to improve public interest in Hong Kong's valuable ocean resources. They plan to canvas for funds in addition to an education program.

The Chairman of WWF in Hong Kong explained that the WWF always does its best to protect the rich yet fragile ocean environment. He talked of the WWF's recent work to try to prohibit wind around nets in the protection reserve's coastal areas. He further added that because the reserve's area is reduced the ocean creatures and corals are threatened with destruction. Also the WWF appeals to the Authorities to prohibit fishing in the area to allow the species the ability to restore their numbers.

Kindergarten students on their own made a picture of the ocean floor to support the Big Fish Count. The Fish Count judge Andy Cornish introduced the native fish varieties including sea horses. In 1992 the United Natiions Earth Summit Meeting designated June 8th as World Ocean Day. The hope was to raise people's awareness of the ocean environment and biology. In answer WWF not the only ones holding a fish varieties count. The WWF in Hong Kong decided to hold an ocean month, with a series of activities, which coordinate with the membership signup on the Internet.

Andy Cornish explained that the local coastal area measures 1,650 sq. kilometeres. In this area are more than 1,000 species of fish and other organisms, as well as 80 varieties of coral. However, many Hong Kong citizens do not pay attention to the fact that these ocean treasures exist. Basically need to strengthen teaaching of public and students to recognize that beneath the ocean is much beauty. The warm waters iof the tropics support many ocean creatures. In addition to raising awareness, the fish count data assists in the work to protect the diversity of ocean creatures.

All approved diving members of the team in 8 hours make count. The rules dictate that each member may not dive more than 3 times. The count begins at 9am and ends at 5pm. The team members record every fish they see in this eight hour period. Each team must give their count journal to the judge by 5pm. He will then examine the journals and at an evening dinner meeting announce the results.

After watching the Kindergarten students perform a " Big Fish Dance" to extol the ocean beauty, Ekin made use of an exercise bicycle to test his physical power. The Big Fish Count technology consultant indicated that Ekin's physical power was suitably strong to to participate in the fish count.

Hoi Ha Wan Charity Walk -to be held April 24, 2005

Mr. Ekin Cheng, WWF Hong Kong Marine Ambassador, Nikki Chow, local celebrity, Mr. Kensaku Konishi, President & CEO, Canon Hongkong Co., Ltd, sponsors of the Ho Ha Wan Charity walk, and Mr Markus Shaw, WWF Hong Kong Chairman, today joined 1,000 nature lovers to explore the beauty of Hoi Ha and call ed for more effective conservation actions to protect our threatened marine environment and resources .

“We need to take immediate actions to help save our threatened marine environment. The intensive trawling that goes on in Hong Kong causes extensive damage to the sea bed which is the habitat that nurtures fish. This extremely destructive fishing method had been banned in many South East Asian countries and Mainland China and we urge the Hong Kong Government for an outright ban on trawling in Hong Kong, " said Mr Markus Shaw, WWF Hong Kong Chairman.

The 1,000 participants joined a 5-km Eco-education Walk or the 8-km The Hoi Ha Challenge , to support WWF's marine conservation initiatives. A quiz game to encourage the participants to make careful choices in consumption will be set along the route . Information sheets promoting responsible public behavior at the countryside and the marine parks were also distributed to the participants.

“ Our marine habitats are very important assets of Hong Kong people and we all have a responsibility to help protect these important habitats for the benefit of our future generations. Be a wise consumer and support our “Save Our Seas” campaign, y our decision can make a difference, ” said Mr. Ekin Cheng, WWF Hong Kong Marine Ambassador.

Canon Hongkong Co., Ltd is the major sponsor of the walk with Metro Showbiz as the official radio station and The Sun as the official newspaper.

Conserving Whale Sharks Protecting our Ocean - August 2007

Mr Ekin Cheng, Hong Kong Entertainment Celebrity and WWF Hong Kong's Marine Ambassador, recently visited WWF's project site at Donsol in the Philippines to swim with the world's largest fish, a Whale shark, and to see how local fishermen are using their natural resources to benefit their communities and protect their marine environment. This is the first time he has been to see ouor ocean conservation work in areas other than Hong Kong.

The story will be featured in a half-hour programme named "WWF Special: Ekin and Whale Sharks" on TVB Jade Channel on 21 August 2007 at 11 pm.