The government on Friday said it plans to let the Airport Authority install an artificial reef off Chek Lap Kok to enhance ecological and fisheries resources there.

Authorities said the reef would provide shelter and nursery grounds for marine life in northwest Lantau waters.

The project would see around 1,000 artificial reef units deployed around 25 hectares of seabed in the airport's approach area No. 3.

The project was due to commence mid-year at the earliest and was expected to be completed in the second half of 2024.

Around a dozen artificial reef zones have been installed in Hong Kong waters, including one off Chek Lap Kok that is a feeding station for Chinese White Dolphins.