Pink Dolphin Fund Advances Conservation Awareness Through Award Ceremony and Film Initiative

On 19 March 2026, Pink Dolphin Fund held the Pink Dolphin Award at Dorsett Kai Tak, Hong Kong, using the occasion as a public-facing platform to strengthen awareness of marine conservation and the future of Chinese white dolphin protection. The initiative brought together representatives from media, academia, international organisations and the wider conservation community in support of a broader message: that habitat protection, public education and long-term ecological responsibility must advance together.

Conservation Context

The foundation positioned the event not as an end in itself, but as part of a wider effort to build stronger public understanding of the pressures facing marine ecosystems in the region. Chinese white dolphins, often referred to as pink dolphins, have long been regarded as an important indicator species in the waters of Hong Kong and the Pearl River Estuary. Their condition reflects wider changes in habitat quality, ecological balance and human activity along the coast.

Urgent Conservation Concerns

In recent years, concern over the species has intensified. The foundation's founder highlighted that the number of Chinese white dolphins had declined from 158 in 2003 to 37 in 2020, underscoring the urgency of sustained conservation attention, marine habitat stewardship and stronger public awareness.

Cross-Sector Participation

The event also underscored the role of cooperation across sectors. Representatives associated with conservation, research, international organisations and media participation all contributed to a broader advocacy setting designed to extend discussion beyond a single evening and into longer-term public engagement.

Award Recognition

Three awards were presented during the ceremony, recognising outstanding contributions to marine conservation:

Marine Communicator Award

Awarded to the documentary production team behind the Chinese white dolphin documentary jointly produced by CCTV, Guangdong Radio and Television, and Zhuhai Media Group, in acknowledgement of its role in advancing public understanding through storytelling and visual communication.

Marine Policy Leadership Award

Presented to Dr Lindsay Porter OBE, recognising her longstanding contribution to marine research, advocacy and public-facing conservation work.

Marine Impact Award

Presented to IUCN in recognition of its contributions to habitat protection, ecosystem conservation and broader international environmental impact.

Award Recipients Group Photo

AFCD Director Mr. Lai Kin Ming (far left), TACF President Mr. Liu Yi Chuan (far right), and Pink Dolphin Fund founder Margaret Chiu (second from right) presented awards and posed with all recipients in recognition of their contributions to marine and pink dolphin conservation.

Conservation Film Initiative

Alongside the ceremony, Pink Dolphin Fund also advanced its public advocacy through a conservation film initiative. The film helps translate the foundation's message into a more widely accessible format, reinforcing the importance of marine protection, ecological literacy and shared responsibility for the future of Chinese white dolphins.

Looking Forward

Pink Dolphin Fund said it will continue to promote awareness, education and cross-sector engagement in support of marine habitat protection. In doing so, the foundation aims to encourage a broader conservation culture in which protecting Chinese white dolphins is understood not only as species preservation, but as part of safeguarding the health and sustainability of the wider marine environment.

For more information about Pink Dolphin Fund's conservation initiatives, contact office@pinkdolphinfund.com