Earth.Org is pleased to invite you to the screening of the documentary City of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs, on May 12 at The Hive Studios in Kennedy Town, Hong Kong.
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Earth.Org and The Nature Conservancy in Hong Kong, in collaboration with the Hive Hong Kong, are proud to present you the screening of City of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs.
This one-hour documentary by The Nature Conservancy, filmed over three years, chronicles over seven years of ongoing research and conservation work across Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta.
Through historical research and scientific exploration, the documentary unveils how oysters shaped the Pearl River Delta’s development – diving deeper into the socio-cultural ties between oysters and coastal communities, the lime industry that fuelled early infrastructure across the region and the thriving marine ecosystems that once flourished beneath its waters.
Produced and directed by Mike Sakas, the film follows a team of researchers, restoration ecologists, citizen explorers and marine scientists as they search for remnant reefs, using historical maps, ecological surveys, and underwater expeditions to piece together clues about where these lost habitats might still perdure.
Their findings suggest that not all is lost, and if restoration efforts are implemented at scale, oyster reefs could flourish once more. And the prospect is huge – by filtering millions of liters of water daily, providing essential habitats for countless marine species, and acting as natural coastal barriers against storms and erosion, these restored ecosystems would significantly enhance the biodiversity and ocean health, bringing life back to our waters.
A 30-minute post-screening sharing and Q&A moderated by Earth.Org’s Editor-in-Chief Martina Igini featuring Associate Director of Conservation at TNC Hong Kong Marine Thomas and Executive Producer Adam Janikowski, PhD will follow. They will be sharing insights on reef restoration and the impact of these ecosystems on our environment.
RSVP here, seats limited.
Date: May 12, 2025
Time: 7–8.30 p.m.
Address: The Hive Studios, 8th floor, Cheung Hing Industrial Building, 12P Smithfield, Hong Kong (directions)
More about the topic: ‘The Oyster Odyssey’: A Journey to Restore Hong Kong’s Coastal Ecosystems
