At Hong Kong's western Pak Nai wetlands, we're discovering nature's own solution for coastal restoration.  

Iris Wong / Host  

Oysters aren't just seafood - they're nature's skilled engineers, working to protect our shorelines.  

Tom, I've got the shovels - let's make waves!

Tom Chan / Community Conservation Manager, The Nature Conservancy Hong Kong  

Globally, 85% of oyster reefs have disappeared. We're changing that by recycling materials from old oyster farms - concrete pillars, live oysters, and shells - to build new reef islands.

These gaps you see now will fill with new oyster larvae during summer spawning. As the reef grows, its complex structure breaks wave energy, reducing erosion and protecting communities.

It's a complete ecosystem - creating homes for marine life while naturally filtering water. This is how we build climate resilience, the natural way.  

Iris Wong:

Along the Pearl River estuary, oyster reefs work alongside another natural protector - the mighty mangrove forests.  

The most striking feature? These mangroves are completely armored in oyster shells.  

Tom Chan:

Oysters settle on any hard surface, and mangrove trunks provide the perfect foundation. That's why they thrive where freshwater meets seawater along the Hong Kong-Shenzhen coastline.