8a.1.1.1
This
section identifies and evaluates the potential impacts on capture and culture
fisheries in the assessment area resulting from the construction and operation activities
of the IWMF at the TTAL site.
8a.1.1.2
This assessment
is based on a desktop review of the latest relevant literatures describing
baseline conditions, identifying and evaluating potential, direct, indirect, residual and
cumulative impacts on fisheries resources during construction and operation phase of the IWMF. Where necessary, mitigation
measures and monitoring programme are recommended.
8a.2
Environmental Legislation, Policies, Plans, Standards and Guidelines
8a.2.1.1
This
fisheries impact assessment is conducted in accordance with criteria and
guidelines as set out in the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment
Process (EIAO-TM) Annex 9 and Annex 17 which aims to provide a complete and
objective identification, prediction and evaluation of potential fisheries
impacts arising from the proposed Project.
EIAO-TM Annex 17 sets out the methodology for assessment of fisheries
impacts while Annex 9 provides the evaluation criteria.
8a.2.1.2
Other
local legislations that are applicable to fisheries impact and are relevant to this
assessment include the following:
Ÿ
Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171) – aims
to promote the conservation of fish and other forms of aquatic life within the
Ÿ Marine Fish Culture Ordinance (Cap. 353) – regulates and protects marine fish culture by allocating areas of fish culture zone, granting license, prohibiting unauthorized vessels and any deposition of chemicals or other substance which are likely to cause injury to fish in a fish culture zone. The list of designated fish culture zones was last revised in January 2000.
Ÿ
The Water Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap.358)
– aims to control water pollution in the waters of
8a.3.1.1
The study
area for the fisheries impact assessment covers the North Western and Deep Bay
Water Control Zones as specified under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance
(Cap. 358, WPCO).
8a.4
Assessment Methodology
8a.4.1.1
Baseline
information on fisheries resources in the assessment area was acquired via a
desktop review of available literatures. This review also covered relevant fisheries
baseline data as presented in Port Survey 2006 (AFCD, 2011a) and relevant
information
available in other reports and publications. Based on the desktop review, data collected
are considered sufficient for further analysis with no significant gaps
identified, as such, no field surveys were deemed necessary.
8a.4.1.2
The impact
assessment
followed the criteria and guidelines as stated in Annex 9 and Annex 17 of the
EIAO-TM for evaluating and assessing fisheries impacts.
8a.5
Description of the Environment
8a.5.1 Sites of Fisheries Importance
8a.5.1.1
The sites
of fisheries importance identified in the assessment area include:
Ÿ Spawning and nursery grounds for fish and shrimp (approx. 5 km away from the IWMF);
Ÿ
Oyster culture area in
Ÿ
Artificial reefs at Sha Chau and
8a.5.1.2
All the
above locations of fisheries resources are depicted in Figure 8a.1. Further
details of these resources are discussed in the following sections.
8a.5.2.1
In 2010,
the capture fishing industry landed approximately 168,000 tonnes of fisheries
product valued at $2,100 million (AFCD, 2011a).
The industry consists of about 3,900 fishing vessels and 8,200 fishermen. Fishing activities are mainly conducted in
the waters of the continental shelf in
Table 8a.1 Recent Hong Kong Capture Fisheries Industry Figures
|
Parameter |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
|
Fishing fleet size
(No. of vessels) |
3,900 |
3,700 |
3,800 |
4,000 |
3,950 |
4,150 |
4,300 |
4,600 |
4,470 |
5,100 |
|
Local fishermen
engaged in capture fisheries |
8.200 |
7,600 |
7,900 |
8,500 |
8,500 |
9,170 |
9,700 |
10,100 |
10,860 |
11,560 |
|
Production
(thousand tonnes) |
168 |
159 |
158 |
154 |
155 |
162 |
167.5 |
157.4 |
169.8 |
174 |
|
Value of produce
(HK$ million) |
2,100 |
2,000 |
1,780 |
1,530 |
1,600 |
1,600 |
1,600 |
1,500 |
1,600 |
1,700 |
Source: AFCD 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009a, 2010 and 2011a
8a.5.2.2
The latest
AFCD Port Survey 2006 (AFCD 2011a)
provides the most updated information on capture fisheries in
8a.5.2.3
The
fishing operation within the assessment area was supported by vessels of varying length.
Majority of vessels operating around the Sha Chau-Lung Kwu Chau, the
Brothers
8a.5.2.4
The number of fishing vessels in operation was generally low (less than
100 vessels) in the North Western WCZ and within the Deep Bay WCZ where the
IWMF would be located. Relatively higher
number of fishing vessels has been recorded around Sha Chau-Lung Kwu Chau, the Brothers
8a.5.2.5
In terms of weight, adult fish production was low (less than 50 kg/ha)
within the Deep Bay WCZ. Higher
production was found within North Western WCZ, ranging from 50 – 100 kg/ha) at
the coastal areas to 200 – 600 kg/ha around Sha Chau-Lung Kwu Chau, the Brothers
8a.5.2.6
The overall catch value was less than HK$1,000 per hectare annually within the Deep Bay WCZ and ranged from HK$1,000 to HK$10,000 per hectare annually
within the North Western WCZ. Similarly, the
highest overall catch value was recorded around Tai O and waters south of Sha Chau-Lung Kwu Chau.
8a.5.2.7
Capture fish common in Hong Kong could all be found in the Deep Bay WCZ
but the production was very low (less than 50 kg/ha). Within the North Western WCZ, the most common
capture fish was Croaker (Sciaenidae); other common capture fisheries included Scad (Carangidae) and shrimp.
8a.5.2.8
Fry collection
in
8a.5.2.9
According
to the “Fisheries Resources and Fishing Operations in Hong Kong Waters” (AFD,
1998a), important nursery areas of commercial fisheries resources were
identified in Northeast Waters, Port Shelter, Lamma Island and South Lantau; whilst important spawning
grounds of commercial fisheries resources were identified at Northeast Waters,
Eastern Waters, Southeast Hong Kong in Mirs Bay, South Lamma, South Cheung
Chau, Northeast and South Lantau. The important
spawning ground at
8a.5.3.1
Marine
culture fisheries included marine fish culture and oyster culture. Mariculture areas for marine fish included 26
fish culture zones (FCZs) located in various sheltered coastal areas in Hong
Kong marine waters and occupied about
8a.5.3.2
Although
no figures are available on the individual production of FCZ, it was estimated
that culture fisheries of marine fish production in 2010 was about 1,512 tonnes
valued at $118 million which catered about 9% of local demand for live marine
fish (AFCD, 2011b). Recent figures on
marine fish culture are presented in Table 8a.2.
Table 8a.2 Recent Figures on
|
Parameter |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
|
Licensed operator |
1.035 |
1,050 |
1,060 |
1,070 |
1,078 |
1,092 |
1,125 |
1,155 |
1,240 |
1,370 |
|
Production
(tonnes) |
1,512 |
1,437 |
1,370 |
1,532 |
1,490 |
1,540 |
1,540 |
1,490 |
1,211 |
2,470 |
|
Value (HK$ million) |
118 |
92 |
82 |
99 |
89 |
76 |
79 |
76 |
57 |
136 |
Source:
AFCD 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009b, 2010 and 2011b
8a.5.3.3
The
species cultured varied depending on the availability of imported fry. Common species under marine culture include green
grouper, brown-spotted grouper, giant grouper, Russell's snapper, mangrove
snapper, goldlined seabream, star snapper and red
drum (AFCD, 2011b).
8a.5.3.4
There are
no FCZs but an oyster culture present in the study area. Oyster culture is only practiced along
intertidal mudflat off Tsim Bei Tsui and Ha Pak Nai in
8a.5.4.1
Artificial reefs (ARs) are
devices used for attracting and supporting large populations of fish. Since 1998, a total volume of 179,130 m3
of artificial reefs, in forms of vessels, concrete, quarry rock, and tyre
reefs, have been deployed at Sha Chau, Chek Lap Kok, Lo Tik Wan, Northeast and
Eastern Waters (AFCD, 2009b). Artificial
reefs were found to support more than 220 fish species, including many
commercially important species and some rare fish species between 1998 and 2003
(ibid). There are two artificial reef areas within the study area namely, Sha
Chau and Lung Kwu Chau, and Chek Lap Kok marine exclusion zone. Locations of the artificial reefs within the
study area are shown in Figure 8a.1.
8a.5.4.2
Artificial
reefs at Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau is located 5 km away from the IWMF. There are 66 ferro-cement river barge and
concrete-coated containers occupying a volume of 5,580 m3
(AFCD, 2009b). Comparatively, artificial reefs at Chek Lap
Kok marine exclusion zone located 6 km away from the IWMF have a smaller
scale. There are 10 river barges and
quarry rocks within a volume of 3,600 m3
(ibid).
8a.5.4.3
The aims of
deploying these 2 artificial reef areas are to provide a feeding station for the
Chinese White Dolphins, to enhance the habitat quality and marine resources,
and to prevent trawling.
8a.6
Identification,
Prediction and Evaluation of Environmental Impacts
8a.6.1.1
The construction of the IWMF is mainly land-based with only minor work anticipated
at seawall for the construction of the saline water outfall.
Loss of fishing resources
8a.6.1.2
No
construction work would be carried out at the coastal waters. Therefore, no loss of fishing grounds, fish
stock and impact to fishermen’s livelihood is expected.
8a.6.1.3
Indirect
impacts on fisheries resources arising from the construction activities are mainly associated with changes of water
quality due to drainage and construction site runoff, sewage effluent produced
by on-site workforce, and release of PFA leachate from ash lagoon as described in
the water quality impact assessment in Section
5a.
8a.6.1.4
During
construction period, site runoff from sources such as exposed soil surfaces,
stockpiles, wash waters from dust suppression sprays, and fuel and lubricants
from construction vehicles and mechanical equipments may contain increased loads
of sediments, suspended solids and contaminants. Furthermore,
piling work would penetrate into the base of the Middle Lagoon where PFA is
stored and this might ultimately lead to leakage of leachate from the ash
lagoon. These contaminated waters,
together with sewage effluent produced by on-site workforce, would run into the
coastal waters directly or indirectly (i.e. through the aquatic system).
8a.6.1.5
Sediment
or SS could be lethal or sublethal to fish and other fisheries resources
through reduction in survivorship, growth rate and reproductive potential due
to stress incurred by the need to constantly flush out deposited material. High SS level may clog gill structure of fish
and cause physical damage and hinder transfer of oxygen. Fish egg and larval fish (fry) are more
susceptible to deleterious impacts from sedimentation through smothering and
clogging of their respiratory systems.
Adult fish are more likely to move away when they detect certain SS
level and therefore less sensitive to effects from SS.
8a.6.1.6
Increase
in SS in water column combining with a number of other physical or biotic
factors would reduce DO in water column.
Elevated SS reduces light penetration, lowers the photosynthetic rate of
phytoplankton and eventually would lower the rate of oxygen production in water
column. Also, the release of inorganic
substances from the sediments may cause eutrophication and algal bloom. Oxidation of dead algae may use up some of the oxygen in
the water. If oxygen levels are depleted
to low levels, fish, especially those in early life stages may be unable to
tolerate such conditions and suffer hypoxia-induced mortality and / or stress
including reduced feeding and growth rate.
8a.6.1.7
Organic
and inorganic (i.e. heavy metal) water pollutants from fuel, lubricants and PFA
leakage could
also cause lethal or sublethal effects, such as growth inhibition, enzyme alteration and changes in physiological
activities to fisheries resources (USEPA, 1980a, 1980b, 1980c,
1987).
8a.6.1.8
According
to the water quality impact assessment, surface runoff from land-based
construction activities near the coastal waters, sewage effluent and PFA
leakage would cause insignificant change in sediment, SS, organic and inorganic
water pollutants. It is unlikely to cause unacceptable
impact on the aquatic environment from an ecotoxicological point of view.
Moreover,
important fisheries resources, such as fish spawning ground, oyster cultures,
and artificial reefs are a fair distance away from the proposed works
area. Organic and inorganic pollutants,
if any, would be diluted by the large volume of marine water to acceptable
levels shortly after they are discharged from the IWMF site. With the implementation of mitigation
measures proposed in water quality impact assessment in Section 5a of this Report, such as the use of silt/sediment and grease
traps, and effective site drainage would minimize any impacts to the marine
environment resulting from land-based construction activities. No adverse impact associated with water
quality change is expected on fisheries resources during the construction phase.
8a.6.2.1 Potential sources of water quality impact associated with the operation of the IWMF project include:
Ÿ Wastewater from the operation of the IWMF; and
Ÿ Seawater intake/saline water discharge from the proposed desalination plant.
Loss of fishing resources
8a.6.2.2
The IWMF
would confine to terrestrial area. Loss
of fishing grounds, fish stock and impact to fishermen’s livelihood is therefore
not expected.
Changes in Water Quality
8a.6.2.3
The IWMF would
adopt a “zero-discharge” scheme that no processed effluent would be discharged
into
8a.6.2.4
No
wastewater effluent, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), heavy metals and
other contaminants would be released during operation phase of the Project. No other biocides /
anti-fouling chemicals (such as chlorine and C-treat-6) would be used for the
proposed desalination plant. There would be no temperature elevations in the brine water
discharge as compared to the ambient water temperature. No adverse impact on fisheries is anticipated.
Impingement and Entrainment
8a.6.2.5
Water
intake may cause physical damage on fisheries resources due to collisions with
the screen. The magnitude of impact
depends on the volume and rate of the water intake as well as the sensitivity
and productivity of the affected area.
Since the rate of the water intake is slow (2,610 m3/day),
and the affected area is not regarded as an important spawning nor nursery
ground (AFD, 1998), no unacceptable adverse impact due to intake of seawater on
fisheries resources is expected.
8a.6.2.6
The
overall evaluation of construction and operation phase fisheries impacts associated
with the Project is summarized in Table 8a.3 below.
Table 8a.3 Potential Fisheries Impact
Evaluation during Construction and Operation Phase
|
Criteria |
Construction
Phase Impact |
Operation
Phase Impact |
|
Nature of impact |
Impact
on fisheries resources is limited to increase in suspended solid, organic and
inorganic
water. Pollutants could be diluted by large volume of water. The effect would be temporary, reversible
in nature. |
Indirect impact due to discharge of saline water which could be
diluted by large volume of water. The
effect would be permanent but localised and reversible. Indirect impact arising from impingement and entrainment would also be
permanent but localised and reversible. |
|
Size of affected area |
Small. The
quantity of SS and water pollutants is small and would be very localized when
diluted by large volume of water. |
Small. The volume of saline
water discharge would be small, and could be diluted by large amount of
water. The impact zone is estimated to
be localized and small (47 m from the discharge). The impact zone due to
impingement and entrainment would be localised and small. |
|
Loss of fisheries resources / production |
Small. Temporary loss to an insignificant portion of
the total fisheries production in |
No. Fish would re-route from the impact zone to
nearby available waters. Since
the rate of the water intake is slow (2,610 m3/day), negligible
loss of fisheries resources is expected due to impingement and
entrainment. |
|
Destruction and disturbance of nursery and spawning grounds |
No destruction and
disturbance of important nursery and spawning grounds for commercial
fisheries species. |
No destruction and
disturbance of important nursery and spawning grounds for commercial
fisheries species. |
|
Impact on fishing activity |
Insignificant impact. The fishing ground in
the vicinity of the IWMF supported a low number of vessels, adult fish
production and fisheries production value. The size of fishing ground affected
is insignificant. The affected vessel
could fish in other areas in nearby waters. |
Insignificant impact. The fishing ground in
the vicinity of the IWMF supported a low number of vessels, adult fish
production and fisheries production value. The size of fishing ground
affected is insignificant. The
affected vessel could fish in other areas in nearby waters. |
|
Impact on aquaculture activity |
No impact to oyster
culture area which is located at a fair distance away from the IWMF. |
No impact to oyster
culture area which is located at a fair distance away from the IWMF. |
|
Overall fisheries Impact |
Very low |
Insignificant |
8a.7
Mitigation of Environmental Impacts
8a.7.1.1
Following
EIAO-TM Annex 17, mitigation measures are discussed in this section to avoid,
minimize, and compensate any identified fisheries impacts. In view of the insignificant and localized water quality change
arising from the construction and operation activities of the proposed Project,
it is anticipated that no major fisheries impacts would be resulted, hence no specific
mitigation measure on fisheries resources is proposed.
8a.7.1.2
Nevertheless, in order to
minimize and control water quality in the vicinity, mitigation measures such as
use of effective site drainage in
land-based construction site are proposed in the Water
Quality Impact Assessment as detailed in Section
5a. These
recommendations would further protect fisheries resources from indirect impacts
and minimize adverse impact on fisheries resources resulted
from the Project.
8a.8
Evaluation of Residual Environmental Impacts
8a.8.1.1
The only residual
environmental impact due to the proposed Project is the increase of saline
water discharge to the surrounding marine environment. In view of its small scale and very localized
nature of the water quality change, the impact to fisheries resources is
considered to be minor and acceptable.
8a.9
Evaluation of Cumulative Environmental Impacts
8a.9.1.1
The construction of the
proposed Project is scheduled to commence in 2013 and complete in 2016. The construction of the proposed Project
would coincide with the construction/implementation programmes of the Sludge
Treatment Facility (STF) (2010-2012) and Black Point Gas Supply (BPGS)
(2011-2013). The overlapping period
between the construction phases of these projects is only 1 to 2 years. No significant impacts on fisheries resources have been
identified from STF (EPD, 2008). As refers to Section 5a.9.1.1, with the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, no
unacceptable residual impacts on water quality are expected arising from the
proposed Project.
Therefore, even though the water quality mixing zone due to the BPGS would
extend to the coastal waters off the Project site (CPPC, 2010), the
proposed Project would not contribute to any cumulative impacts on fisheries
resources. The water quality mixing zone
is anticipated to be within the environmentally acceptable limits (CPPC,
2010).
8a.9.1.2
Both the STF and the IWMF would
encompass seawater intake/ saline water discharge. During
operation phase, however, cumulative potential impacts are expected to pose by the IWMF and the abovementioned STF in increasing
saline water
discharge on fisheries resources. The volume
of saline water discharge is considered insignificant and could easily be diluted
by large amount of marine water (refer to Section
5a.7.2.8 and Section 5a.9.1.1). It is expected that fisheries resources in
the impact zone, which also inhibit in more saline waters in Eastern Waters,
could tolerate the increased salinity. The associated fisheries impacts are
thus expected to be acceptable.
8a.10
Environmental
Monitoring and Audit
8a.10.1.1 Mitigation measures recommended for water quality impact assessment will be regularly audited. No unacceptable fisheries impacts would be expected from the Project. No specific monitoring programme for fisheries would be required.
8a.11.1.1
No loss of
fishing ground and resources is expected during construction and operation phase of the
proposed Project. Mitigation measures,
such as use of effective site drainage, would be implemented during
construction phase to protect fisheries resources.
With proper implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, no significant adverse
impact on fisheries resources would be expected.
8a.11.1.2
Overall,
the construction and operation phase impacts on fisheries resources identified are
deemed acceptable. Therefore, no specific mitigation measures and monitoring
programme would be required.
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