We describe the site selection process for artificial reef deployment within an ambitious programme initiated by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to restore fisheries resources and rehabilitate the marine environment. The process was focused on identifying six optimum locations by employing constraint mapping and prioritization criteria. Constraint mapping involved the identification of areas of incompatibility between artificial reefs and existing uses as well as future potential sites. Broad environmental, socio-economic, and cost-efficiency prioritization...

We describe the site selection process for artificial reef deployment within an ambitious programme initiated by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to restore fisheries resources and rehabilitate the marine environment. The process was focused on identifying six optimum locations by employing constraint mapping and prioritization criteria. Constraint mapping involved the identification of areas of incompatibility between artificial reefs and existing uses as well as future potential sites. Broad environmental, socio-economic, and cost-efficiency prioritization criteria were applied to the unconstrained areas so that a short-list of the six highest priority sites could be defined. The combination of constraint mapping and prioritization criteria ensured that sites acceptable to a wide range of user groups were selected. Copyright 2002 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.