International liaison will also be necessary in meeting Hong Kong's international commitments on biodiversity and habitat preservation. Since both China and the UK are signatories, the Ramsar Convention applies to Hong Kong and the SAR is therefore technically required not only to designate and protect at least one Ramsar Site, which it has done at Mai Po, but also to adhere to a requirement for countries to "..include wetland conservation considerations within their national land use planning ...[and] ... formulate and implement this planning so as to promote, as far as possible, the wise use of wetlands in their territory". Given current regional pressures on the Deep Bay ecosystem, including habitat loss, pollution and displacement of species from alternative habitats, it will be necessary to collaborate with the Mainland if real progress is to be made. The Convention on Biological Diversity which was signed by both Britain and China in 1992 requires signatory countries to develop strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Whilst the Convention has not been extended to Hong Kong (an inter-departmental working group is studying the desirability of applying the Convention to Hong Kong), many of the deficiencies in Hong Kong's own policy framework would be addressed by preparation of such a strategy.

Another area with high potential for future improvement in ecological management is the incorporation of new scientific information. In many cases, lack of effective conservation efforts can be traced to a dearth of information on the critical habitats and species of concern. With the upcoming release of the findings of the HKU Biodiversity Survey results, many former data gaps will be filled and thus provide a solid basis for the targeting of future conservation efforts toward those areas which most require protection. Other products of the SUSDEV 21 study including the biodiversity indicators, and the habitat mapping and ranking based on conservation value, will also aid in future decision-making involving ecological resource management on both a site-specific and a strategic level.

Better management of the public's interaction with ecological resources can be accomplished through improved environmental education awareness and through stricter enforcement of existing regulations. A number of Governmental organisations and NGOs are involved in raising public awareness of the importance and interpretation of biodiversity and conservation, including a range of participatory events for young people. Formal training and education in ecological and conservation sciences is also provided at a number of local institutions. Development and integration of such initiatives with Mainland authorities and conservation networks will become more important as regional development grows increasingly integrated.

In parallel, in order to preserve Hong Kong's existing ecological resource base, enforcement action will be required on a number of fronts. For example, although public advice is provided by government against the starting of fires, very limited enforcement of penalties or prosecutions are brought against offenders. Of 1,180 prosecutions in relation to offences in Country Parks in 1997-1998, only two persons were prosecuted for illegal use of fire, with total fines of only $2,000. Given the severe damage to habitats and species caused by hill fires every year, prevention of fires through further education and enforcement is arguably as important as, and more cost-effective than, having in place fire fighting procedures and response plans. Greater enforcement of existing regulations governing littering, disposal of refuse in marine waters and land, illegal fishing activities (ie cyanide, dynamite or fishing in Marine Reserves), poaching and trapping, and unpermitted development such as filling of wetlands, would also result in tangible benefits to ecological resources.