10.1.1.1
This
section presents the potential fisheries impact during construction and
operation of the Project, including impacts arising from the marine dredging
works. Baseline conditions for fisheries
resources in the study area were identified from the latest relevant
literature. Potential direct, indirect,
cumulative and residual impacts on fisheries resources during the construction
and operation phases of the Project were identified and evaluated. Mitigation measures have been recommended
where necessary.
10.2.1.1
This
fisheries impact assessment was conducted according to criteria and guidelines
set out in the Annex 9 and Annex 17 of the EIAO-TM in order to provide complete
and objective identification, prediction and evaluation of potential fisheries
impacts arising from the Project.
EIAO-TM Annex 17 sets out the methodology for assessment of fisheries
impacts and Annex 9 provides the evaluation criteria.
10.2.1.2
Other
local legislations that are relevant to this fisheries impact assessment
include:
·
Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171)
– promotes the conservation of fish and other forms of aquatic life within Hong
Kong waters by regulating fishing practices to prevent detrimental activities
to the fisheries industry. The authority
may also make rules for the management and control of fishing in any fisheries
protection area, including but not limited to the specification of any zone
within any fisheries protection area and the prohibition of any fishing in the
specified zone.
·
Marine Fish Culture Ordinance (Cap. 353)
– regulates and protects marine fish cultured by designating areas of fish
culture zone, granting licenses, prohibiting unauthorised vessels and any
deposition of chemicals or other substances which are likely to cause injury to
fish in a fish culture zone.
·
Water Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap.
358) – aims to control water pollution in waters of Hong Kong. WCZs are designated with individual water
quality objectives to promote the conservation and best use of those waters in
the public interest.
·
Annex 17 of the EIAO-TM – sets out the
methodology for assessment of fisheries impacts, in order to provide objective
identification, prediction and evaluation of potential fisheries impacts
arising from the Project. Annex 9
provides evaluation criteria.
10.3.1
Study area
10.3.1.1
The
study area for fisheries impact assessment includes area within 500 m distance
from the boundaries of the Project and associated works, as well as other areas
likely to be impacted by the Project and the associated works.
10.3.2
Assessment Approach
10.3.2.1
Collation
and desktop review of available relevant fisheries baseline data (e.g. AFCD
Port Survey 2006 and other available relevant studies) within or in vicinity to
the study area were conducted. Special
attention were given to any potential loss or disturbance of fishing ground,
fisheries habitat, spawning and nursery grounds, water quality deterioration at
sensitive receivers particularly the Tung Lung Chau Fish Culture Zone. Potential fisheries impacts arising from the
Project were identified and evaluated.
Mitigation measures and monitoring and audit programme were recommended,
where necessary.
10.3.2.2
The
criteria and guidelines as stated in Annexes 9 and 17 of the EIAO-TM were
followed for evaluating and assessing fisheries impact arising from the
construction and operation of the Project, including impacts arising from the
marine dredging works.
10.4.1.1
Following
the collation and review of existing fisheries baseline information, relevant
literatures on capture and culture fisheries within and in vicinity of the
study area are listed in Table
10.1. The relevant desktop
information reviewed is considered sufficient for evaluating the importance of
the potentially impacted fisheries resources and fishing operations within the
study area. Therefore, no information
gap on fisheries baseline conditions within the study area was identified and
fisheries surveys are not needed for the current EIA study.
Table 10.1 Baseline Information of Fisheries Resources
in the Study Area
|
Item
|
Relevant Literatures
|
|
1
|
AFCD Port Survey 2006 (AFCD, 2018b)
|
|
2
|
Aquaculture and Capture Fisheries data available from AFCD website (AFCD, 2018a, 2018b)
|
|
3
|
AFCD Annual Report 2006 – 2015
|
|
4
|
Fisheries Resources and Fishing Operations in Hong Kong Waters (AFCD,
1998)
|
|
5
|
Dredging
Works for Proposed Public Landing Facility at Lei Yue Mun – Project Profile
(CEDD, 2010)
|
10.4.2
Sites of Fisheries Importance
10.4.2.1
There
are no sites of fisheries importance identified within the 500 m study
area. The nearest site of fisheries
importance, Tung Lung Chau Fish Culture Zone is located approximately 6 km away
from the Project site (Figure 10.1 refers). No important nursery or
spawning area was identified within the study area and in the vicinity of
Project site (AFCD, 1998 and AFCD, 2018a).
10.4.3
Capture Fisheries
10.4.3.1
In
2017, the capture fisheries industry produced an estimated 127,554 tonnes of
fisheries valued at about $2,600 million (AFCD, 2018b). This industry is operated by approximately
10,600 local fishermen with 5,150 fishing vessels. Fishing activities are mainly conducted in
the waters of the adjacent continental shelf in the South China Sea. Main fishing methods include trawling, long-lining,
gill-netting and purse-seining with the majority of the total catch obtained
through trawling. Trawling landed the
majority of the catch in Hong Kong waters prior to 31 December 2012, after
which a ban on trawling was implemented with the intensions of protecting
marine resources and ecosystem so that damaged seabed and depleted marine
resources can rehabilitate. Some recent
data on local capture fisheries industry are summarized in Table
10.2.
Table
10.2 Recent
Figures of Hong Kong Capture Fisheries Industry
|
Parameter
|
2017
|
2016(1)
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
2009
|
2008
|
|
Fishing fleet size
(No. of vessels)
|
5,150
|
5,160
|
5,050
|
4,500
|
4,000
|
4,000
|
4,000
|
3,900
|
3,700
|
3,800
|
|
Local Fishermen engaged in capture fisheries
|
10,600
|
10,800
|
10,500
|
9,400
|
8,800
|
8,800
|
8,500
|
8,200
|
7,600
|
8,000
|
|
Production (tonnes)
|
127,554
|
142,775
|
145,193
|
160,789
|
170,129
|
155,230
|
170,720
|
168,000
|
159,000
|
158,000
|
|
Values of produce (HK$ million)
|
2,600
|
2,565
|
2,338
|
2,530
|
2,338
|
2,317
|
2,358
|
2,100
|
2,000
|
1,780
|
Source: AFCD (2018b)
10.4.3.2
According
to the 2006 Port Survey by AFCD, the study area supports low to moderate fisheries
production by weight between 100 – 200 kg/ha.
This area supports mostly Rabbitfish and Seabream production when
compared to other fisheries resources.
The fishing operations in Junk Bay is moderate (100 – 400 vessels),
dominated by vessels less than 15 m.
Sampans were the dominant fishing vessels within the study area (AFCD,
2018b). The study area is not an
important spawning grounds or nursery areas for commercial fisheries resources (AFCD, 1998 and AFCD, 2018b).
The capture fisheries yield of the top 10 taxa of fisheries resources in
the area in the vicinity of the Project site are presented in Table
10.3.
Table 10.3 Production
of the Top Ten Taxa of Fisheries Resources in Vicinity of the Project Site
|
Top Ten
Fish Families
|
Production
in Vicinity of the Project Site
|
|
Scad (Carangidae)
|
≤5
|
|
Shrimp
|
≤5
|
|
Rabbitfish (Siganidae)
|
40 – 60
|
|
Squid
|
≤5
|
|
Croaker (Sciaenidae)
|
5 – 10
|
|
Crab
|
10 – 20
|
|
Mullet (Mugilidae)
|
≤5
|
|
Sardine (Clupeidae)
|
5 – 10
|
|
Seabream (Sparidae)
|
20 – 40
|
|
Anchovy (Engraulidae)
|
None Reported
|
10.4.4
Culture Fisheries
10.4.4.1
Marine
fish culture in Hong Kong consists of 26 Fish Culture Zones (FCZs) located in
various sheltered coastal areas.
Occupying a total sea area of 209
ha, these FCZs are operated by about 938 licensed operators in
2017. Most of the licensed farms are
small, family-based and consist of one or two rafts with average total area of
around 290 m2. FCZs are used
to raise fish fry and fingerlings to a marketable size in a contained area
suspended by floating rafts in the ocean.
It was estimated that culture fisheries production of Hong Kong in 2017 was about 1,004 tonnes valued
at $78 million, which catered about 6% of local demand for live marine
fish (AFCD, 2018a). Some recent figures
on marine culture fisheries are presented in Table
10.4.
Table 10.4 Recent
Figures of Hong Kong Marine Fish Culture Industry
|
Parameter
|
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
|
Licensed
operator
|
938
|
949
|
969
|
968
|
987
|
1,008
|
1,015
|
1,035
|
1,050
|
1,060
|
1,070
|
|
Production
(tonnes)
|
1,004
|
1,031
|
1,219
|
1,255
|
1,005
|
1,299
|
1,185
|
1,512
|
1,437
|
1,370
|
1,532
|
|
Value
(HK$ million)
|
78
|
86
|
105
|
115
|
94
|
117
|
94
|
118
|
92
|
82
|
99
|
10.4.4.3
There
are no FCZs within the study area. The
nearest Tung Lung Chau FCZ is located approximately 6 km away from the Project
site (Figure 10.1 refers). There are no fish ponds and oyster culture
within the study area.
Permanent Loss of Fishing Ground
10.5.1.1
The
area occupied by the public landing facility and the breakwater would become
permanently inaccessible to fishermen (Figure 2.1).
No capture fishing activities could be carried out in these areas. The total area of permanent fishing ground
loss is about 0.05 ha. The marine works
area yields low to moderate fisheries production by weight. Since the area of permanent loss would be
small, the direct impact of the project due to permanent loss of fishing ground
is insignificant.
Temporary Loss of Fishing Ground
10.5.1.2
The
construction barges for dredging works, and construction of the public landing
facility and the breakwater would limit the access of the fishing vessels to
the works area during the construction phase.
Approximately 0.6 ha of marine area within the site boundary would be
occupied temporarily during the construction phase (Figure 2.1 refers). The marine works area would be reopened for
fishing upon completion of the construction works. The marine works area yields low to moderate
fisheries production by weight and only constitutes an insignificant portion of
the total fishing areas in Hong Kong.
Therefore, the temporary loss of fishing ground would be insignificant.
Changes in Water Quality
Elevation of Suspended Solids (SS)
10.5.1.3
The
proposed dredging works would temporarily elevate the SS level. The SS would be
transported by currents to form sediment plumes along tidal flows and resettle
gradually. Effects on fisheries resources could be lethal or sub-lethal through
reduction in survivorship, growth rate and reproductive potential due to stress
incurred by the need to flush out deposited material constantly. High SS level
may clog the gill structure of fish and cause physical damage and hinder
transfer of oxygen. Fish egg and fish larvae 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 the effects from SS. According
to the Water Quality Objectives (WQO) for marine waters sub-zone within the
study area, the waste discharge should not to raise the natural ambient level
by 30% nor cause the accumulation of suspended solids which may adversely
affect aquatic communities. Based on the water quality modelling results in Section
5 and Table 5.11, the increase of SS level caused by the proposed works is highly
localized and only affect area within 100m of the Project site. The level of impact is considered to be
minor.
Release of Contaminants from Marine Sediment
10.5.1.4
The
dredging work can cause the release of contaminants (e.g. heavy metal,
inorganic nutrients, etc.) from the marine sediments. Potential impacts on fisheries resources may
include the accumulation of contaminants in the tissues of fish, resulting in
sub-lethal effects which may alter behaviour, reproduction and increase
susceptibility to disease. Eggs, larvae
and juveniles are particularly susceptible to the sub-lethal effects of
contaminants, and elevated levels may lead to mortality. Bioaccumulation in commercially important
fish species would poison fisheries resources which may ultimately impact human
health. The water quality modelling
results showed that in area nearest to the proposed dredging work, the copper
and total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) level would exceed the assessment criteria
of water quality impact assessment.
However, the impact due to the exceedance would be temporary and
localised. The level of impact is therefore
considered to be low to moderate.
Oxygen Depletion
10.5.1.5
Increase
in SS in water column combined with a number of other physical or biotic
factors would reduce dissolve oxygen (DO) in water column. Elevated SS reduces
light penetration, lowers the photosynthetic rate of phytoplankton and so
lowers the rate of oxygen production in the water column. Also the release of
inorganic substances from the dredged sediment 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.
10.5.1.6
The
WQO standard in the study area regarding DO levels for bottom-waters should
remain above 2.0 mg/L and for the average depth it should remain above 4.0
mg/L. Both standard should be in compliance for 90% of the time. Based on the
water quality modelling results in Section 5 and Table 5.15, the depletion level of DO would be
smaller than 0.1 mg/L which would be in full compliance with the WQOs. Thus,
indirect impacts on the fisheries resources arising from the oxygen depletion
would be minor.
Site-runoff
10.5.1.7
Site
run-off and discharge from the proposed land-based works including construction
of carp-shaped platform, beautification of lookout points and streetscape, when
accidentally enter the marine environment, would potentially affect the
fisheries resources within the study area.
Similar to the water quality impacts arise from marine-based works, the
site run-off from land-based works would increase the suspended solids level
and increase turbidity. Suspended solids
could clog fish gills and hinder them from undertaken gaseous exchange. The decomposition of organic matter would
decrease the DO level in the marine water causing potential suffocation of
fishes. With the implementation of
appropriate measures to control run-off and drainage from the construction
site, as well as the adoption of guidelines and good site practices for
handling and disposal of construction discharges (refer to Section 5.8.4),
unacceptable impacts on water quality and fisheries due to water quality
deterioration by land-based construction works are not expected.
10.5.2
Operation Phase
Permanent Loss of Fishing Ground
10.5.2.1
The
area occupied by the public landing facility and the breakwater would become
permanently inaccessible for fishermen (Figure 2.1).
No capture fishing activities could be carried out in these areas. The total area of permanent fishing ground
loss is about 0.05 ha. The marine works
area yields low to moderate fisheries production by weight. Since the area of permanent loss would be
small, the direct impact of the project due to permanent loss of fishing ground
is insignificant.
Temporary Loss of Fishing Ground
10.5.2.2
Maintenance
dredging during the operation phase would cause temporary loss of fishing
ground during the operation phase. The
marine area enclosed by silt curtain or occupied by dredging barges would
become temporarily unavailable for fishing activities. The size and the location of the maintenance
dredging area would be similar to the dredging works area during the
construction phase. The dredging volume
would also be smaller for maintenance dredging.
Given that the affected area is not an important fishing ground and the
temporary nature of the works, the impact is considered to be minor.
Changes in Water Quality
10.5.2.3
Maintenance
dredging during the operation phase would impose similar water quality impacts
including elevation of SS, release of contaminant from marine sediment and
oxygen depletion as during the construction phase dredging exercise. Mitigation measures should be implemented
during the maintenance dredging works to reduce the potential water quality
impacts to the fisheries resources. No
significant impact is anticipated.
Impact on Fishing Activity
10.5.2.4
Permanent
and temporary fishing ground loss would affect the local fishermen who
habitually fish in the project footprint (i.e. the public landing facility and
the breakwater) and the maintenance dredging area. While fishing ground of similar quality is
widely available in the vicinity, fishermen who habitually fish within and
around the Project Site could utilize the waters in the vicinity of the Project
Site, hence fishing activity is not expected to be significantly affected.
10.5.2.5
The
evaluation of construction and operation phase fisheries impacts are evaluated
in Table 10.5 according to criteria set out in
the Annex 9 of the EIAO-TM.
Table 10.5 Summary
of Potential Fisheries Impact during Construction and Operation Phase
|
Criteria
|
Construction Phase
Impact
|
Operation Phase
Impact
|
|
Nature of impact
|
Direct Impact
Direct loss of about 0.05 ha fishing ground due to the construction of
the public landing facility and the breakwater is permanent in nature.
Temporary loss of about 0.6 ha fishing ground within the site boundary
for the construction of the public landing facility, the breakwater and the
dredging works would last for about 28 months.
The permanent and temporary loss of fishing ground are considered to
be insignificant.
Indirect Impact
Indirect water quality impacts include increase of SS level, release
of contaminants, decrease of DO level and construction site run-off. These impacts would be temporary. The impact due to release of contaminant is
low to moderate, while other impacts are of low level.
|
Direct Impact
Direct loss of fishing ground due to the public landing facility and
the breakwater would be permanent but of negligible impact.
Temporary loss of fishing ground due to maintenance dredging. The impact would be minor.
Indirect Impact
Maintenance dredging would create potential water quality impacts
including increase of SS level, release of contaminants and decrease of DO
level. These impacts would be
temporary. All water quality
parameters would be in compliance of the water quality objectives. No significant impact is anticipated.
|
|
Size of affected area
|
Direct
Impact
Low. Approximately 0.05 ha of fishing ground
would be permanently lost due to construction of the public landing facility
and the breakwater. Approximately 0.6
ha of temporary loss of fishing ground within the site boundary during the
construction phase.
Indirect
Impact
Insignificant. Water quality parameters would comply with
water quality objectives under the mitigated scenario.
|
Direct Impact
Low. Permanent loss of about
0.05 ha fishing ground occupied by the public landing facility and the
breakwater.
Indirect Impact
Insignificant. Water quality parameters would comply with
water quality objectives under the mitigated scenario.
|
|
Loss of
fisheries resources / production
|
Low
impact.
The fishing ground in the vicinity of the proposed
public landing facility and the breakwater supported a moderate number of vessels; and low to
moderate production of fisheries in terms of weight; but the size of fishing ground to be affected is
insignificant in comparison with the total area of fisheries habitat and
fishing ground in Hong Kong.
|
Low
impact.
The fishing ground in the vicinity of the proposed
public landing facility and the breakwater supported a moderate number of vessels; and low to
moderate production of fisheries in terms of weight; but the size of fishing ground to be affected is
insignificant in comparison with the total area of fisheries habitat and
fishing ground in Hong Kong.
|
|
Destruction
and disturbance of nursery and spawning ground
|
No
destruction and disturbance of nursery and spawning grounds for commercial
fisheries species.
|
|
Impact on
fishing activity
|
Low impact.
The fishing ground in the
vicinity of the project site supported moderate number of vessels, which were
mainly small sized sampans; and low to moderate fisheries production in terms
of weight. Due to the small size of
the loss, and the availability of similar fishing ground in nearby waters,
the impact on fishing activity is considered to be low to moderate.
|
10.6.1.1
One
concurrent project is identified within 500m from the Project site, i.e. Lei
Yue Mun Village Sewerage commissioned by Drainage Services Department (DSD) (Section
2.11 refers).
10.6.1.2
The
proposed sewerage works under Lei Yue Mun Village Sewerage project will involve
construction of a 1 km gravity sewers and 460 m long twin rising mains. About
400 m long of the existing gravity sewers at Lei Yue Mun Praya Road and Lei Yue
Mun Path will also be upgraded. No marine works would be involved. Therefore, no direct cumulative fisheries
impacts are anticipated.
10.7.1.2
Different
design options for the Project were considered to arrive at the optimal option
such that environmental impacts would be avoided and minimised without
compromising the objective of the Project for long-term enhancement of tourism
and environmental conditions in LYM waterfront area (Section 2.8). The
preferred design option of the Project was selected as the optimal option with
the underwater rock excavation/dredging extent and the length of the breakwater
have been reduced to avoid/minimise the direct impact on fisheries resources
and fishing operations.
10.7.1.3 During the capital and maintenance dredging operations, mitigation
measures (including use of closed grab, silt curtains and
restriction of dredging rate to no more than 100m3 per hour) recommended in the water quality impact
assessment (Section 5.8) would be implemented to control water quality impacts to within acceptable levels. These mitigation
measures would also control and minimize the indirect impacts on fisheries
resources due to deterioration in water quality as a result of both capital and
maintenance dredging works. As the overall fisheries impact is considered to be
low for construction and operation phases, no mitigation measure specifically
for fisheries is recommended.
10.8.1.1 Residual impacts arise from the
Project include the permanent loss of 0.05 ha of fishing ground. The
areas of fishing ground to be affected is considered to be small, in comparison
with the total area of fisheries habitat and fishing ground in Hong
Kong. The residual impacts from this Project are therefore
considered to be acceptable.
10.10.1.1
Permanent
loss of 0.05 ha of fishing ground is expected to arise due to the construction
of the public landing facility and the breakwater. Temporary loss
of about 0.6 ha of fishing ground within the site
boundary would be resulted during the construction phase. Due to the
area of fishing ground to be affected is small, the impact on fishing ground
would be minor. Indirect impact on
fisheries due to elevation in suspended solids level, depletion of dissolved
oxygen and release of contaminants would be temporary. Mitigation
measures such as adoption of silt curtain, reduced dredging rate, and use of
closed grabs have been recommended, in order to minimise adverse impact on
water quality, hence protecting fisheries resources.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
(1998). Fisheries Resources and Fishing Operation in Hong Kong Waters.
Prepared by ERM for Agriculture and Fisheries Department, The Government of the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department (2006). Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Annual
Report 2005-2006.
Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department (2007). Agriculture, Fisheries and
Conservation Department Annual Report 2006-2007.
Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department (2008). Agriculture, Fisheries and
Conservation Department Annual Report 2008-2009.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department (2009). Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Annual
Report 2008-2009.
Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department. (2010). Agriculture, Fisheries and
Conservation Department Annual Report 2009-2010.
Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department (2011). Agriculture, Fisheries and
Conservation Department Annual Report 2010-2011.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department (2012). Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Annual
Report 2011-2012.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department (2013). Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Annual
Report 2012-2013.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department (2014). Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Annual
Report 2013-2014.
Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department (2015). Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department Annual Report 2014-2015.
Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department (2018a). Fisheries: Aquaculture. http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_aqu/fish_aqu_mpo/fish_aqu_mpo.html (Last revision date: 23
February 2018). Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department, Hong Kong.
Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department (2018b). Fisheries: Capture Fisheries. http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_cap/fish_cap_latest/fish_cap_latest.html (Last revision date: 12 February
2018). Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong
Kong.
Drainage
Services Department (2016). Final
Preliminary Design Report – Agreement No. CE 64/2013 (DS) Lei Yue Mun Village
Sewerage – Investigation, Design and Construction