8 FISHERIES

8.1 Introduction

8.1.1.1 This Section presents the findings of an assessment of potential impacts on capture and culture fisheries associated with the construction and operation activities of the Project in accordance with Clause 3.4.9 of the EIA Study Brief.

8.2 Legislative Requirements and Evaluation Criteria

8.2.1.1 The criteria for evaluating fisheries impacts are stated in the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM). Annex 17 of the EIAO-TM prescribes the general approach and methodology for assessing fisheries impacts caused by a project or proposal, to allow a complete and objective identification, prediction and evaluation of the potential impacts. EIAO-TM Annex 9 recommends the criteria that are to be used for evaluation of fisheries impacts.

8.2.1.2 Other legislation which applies to fisheries includes:

· Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171), which provides for conservation of fish and other aquatic life, regulates fishing practices and prevents activities detrimental to the fishing industry;

· Marine Fish Culture Ordinance (Cap. 353), which regulates and protects marine fish culture and other related activities and requires all marine fish culture activities to operate under licence in designated Fish Culture Zones (FCZs);

· Water Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap. 358), which aims to control water pollution in Hong Kong waters. Water Control Zones (WCZs) are designated with individual water quality objectives to promote the conservation and best use of those waters in the public interest; and

· Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499), Clause 3.4.9 and Appendix G of the EIA Study Brief (ESB-342/2021) which outline the key fisheries impacts to be reviewed and assessed in the EIA report.

8.3 Baseline Conditions

8.3.1 Assessment area

8.3.1.1 According to Clause 3.4.9.2 of the EIA Study Brief, the Assessment Area shall be the same as that under the water quality impact assessment, including areas within 500 m from the boundary of the Project and shall cover the North Western Water Control Zone as designated under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap. 358).

8.3.1.2 Baseline fisheries information within the Assessment Area is available from the following key sources:

· Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) Port Survey 2021;

· Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) Report on Survey of Fisheries Resources in Hong Kong (2010-2015);

· AFCD’s latest annual reports;

· EIA Report for the Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System (AEIAR-185/2014);

· Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Reports for the Dredging, Management and Capping of Sediment Disposal Facility at Sha Chau;

· ERM-Hong Kong, Ltd (1998). Fisheries Resources and Fishing Operations in Hong Kong Waters. Final Report. Prepared for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department;

· Hong Kong Artificial Reef Project. Access via <https://www.artificialreef.net/English/main.htm>; and

· Available Published Scientific Literature.

8.3.1.3 The desktop information from the above relevant previous studies has been reviewed and presented below, and it is considered sufficient to evaluate the importance of potentially impacted fisheries resources and fishing operations within the Assessment Area. In addition, the fisheries interview surveys conducted by the AFCD and reported in the AFCD Port Survey 2021 are sufficiently comprehensive to provide an up-to-date and representative baseline for fisheries impact assessment. The approach to use AFCD Port Survey data as baseline data, supplemented by other desktop information in EIA studies and EM&A reports is an acceptable practice ([1]) ([2]) ([3]). Therefore, no information gap is identified and fisheries field survey is considered not required for the EIA study of this Project.

8.3.2 Capture Fisheries

8.3.2.1 As of 2022, the Hong Kong fishing industry produced an estimated 77,000 tonnes of fisheries products, and the total value of capture fisheries products was approximately $2.2 billion ⁽[4]⁾. According to the AFCD Port Survey 2021, >100-200 and >400-600 number of fishing vessels (mainly sampan) operate near the proposed marine viaduct and marine facilities respectively (Figures 8.1 and 8.2) ⁽[5]⁾. It should be noted that the proposed marine viaduct and marine facilities are located at the edge of the grids and are subject to various marine traffic operations. Fishing operation and activities are likely to be minimal in these areas immediately next to the artificial shorelines of the Airport Island and with high speed ferry operation, especially at the proposed marine facilities which is situated behind the SkyPier at Hong Kong International Airport. Even though the data from the AFCD Port Survey 2021 demonstrates moderate level of fishing operation in the broad area, the fishing operation within the Assessment Area is considered low due to limited access to fishing ground.

8.3.2.2 The status of fisheries production in Hong Kong can be made reference to the latest available fisheries information from AFCD Port Survey 2021 and the results of top 10 fish catches in Hong Kong waters are shown in Table 8.1. The distribution of overall fisheries production in Hong Kong from 2021 is presented in Figure 8.3. The survey results indicated that the Assessment Area provides moderate level of fisheries production at around >200-300 kg/ha near the proposed marine facilities and low level of production around >0-50 kg/ha near the marine viaduct (Figure 8.3)⁽[6]⁾.

Table 8.1 Top 10 Fish Catches in Hong Kong Waters (Source: AFCD Port Survey 2021)

Rank	Family/Group	Common Name of Fish Catch
1	Clupeidae	Sardine, Shad
2	Mugilidae	Mullet
3	Sciaenidae	Croaker
4	Carangidae	Scad, Jack
5	Siganidae	Rabbitfish
6	Sparidae	Seabream
7	Mixed crab	Crab
8	Mixed squid	Squid
9	Polynemidae	Theradfin
10	Scorpaenidae	Scorpionfish, Common rockfish

Notes:

1. Other families/groups of common fish catch include Platycephalidae (flathead), Cynoglossidae (tongue sole), Muraenesocidae (conger-pike eel), mixed shrimp and Scombridae (mackerel), etc

2. Ranking is based on the estimated weight of production of each family/group of fish catch.

8.3.2.3 Based on the findings of the Report on Survey of Fisheries Resources in Hong Kong (2010-2015) ⁽[7]⁾, the main commercial families of fisheries resources from shrimp trawl surveys and stern trawl surveys in the Assessment Area are listed in Table 8.2 below. The 3RS EIA concluded that the North Lantau waters were of moderate fisheries production with species mainly of no or low commercial values, namely anchovy (Thryssa kammalensis) and sardine (Sardinella albella)⁽[8]⁾. The routine marine biota monitoring for the Environmental Monitoring & Audit (EM&A) of the Dredging, Management and Capping of Contaminated Sediment Disposal Facility to the South of the Brothers and East of Sha Chau ⁽[9]⁾ suggested that the fisheries resources of North Lantau and the Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park (SCLKCMP) consisted of species with low or no commercial values, namely the snail Turritella terebra, the sea urchin Temnopleurus toreumaticus and the crab Charybdis spp. In terms of fish resources, pony fish, croakers and gobies were commonly recorded, and mantis shrimp, mainly Oratosquilla interrupta, and shrimps (Metapenaeus spp. and Penaeus spp.) were also abundant.

Table 8.2 Main Commercial Families of Fisheries Resources in Northwestern Waters of Hong Kong (Source: Report on Survey of Fisheries Resources in Hong Kong (2010-2015))

Rank	Shrimp Trawl Surveys	Stern Trawl Surveys
1	Penaeidae	Clupeidae
2	Sciaenidae	Sciaenidae
3	Platycephalidae	Engraulidae
4	Portunidae	Leiognathidae
5	Clupeidae	Carangidae
6	Leiognathidae	Stromateidae
7	Cynoglossidae	Penaeidae
8	Squillidae	Portunidae
9	Polynemidae	Trichiuridae
10	Synodontidae	Polynemidae

Notes:

1. Consolidated ranking based on the biomass of each family collected in the surveys.

Spawning Ground and Nursery Ground

8.3.2.4 The recognised Northern Lantau spawning ground for commercial fisheries resources, with shortest sea distance of 0.6km to the Project area, is approximately 10 km long (from Tai Mo To of The Brothers to Lung Kwu Chau) and 5 km wide (from Castle Peak to the northernmost tip of the airport). Shortnose ponyfish (Leiognathus brevirostris), seabass/ perch (Lateolabrax japonicus) and shad (Clupanodon (Konosirus) punctatus) were examples of the main commercial fish species recorded in the Northern Lantau spawning ground ⁽[10]⁾. The nearest nursery ground for commercial fisheries resources at southern waters is approximately 18 km away from the Project area. Considering the nearest nursery ground for commercial fisheries resources is located at some distances to the Project site and piling works with localised water quality impacts would be expected from the Project, unacceptable impacts to nursery ground for commercial fisheries resources are not anticipated. Thus, evaluation of potential impacts on nursery grounds for commercial fisheries resources are considered not necessary.

8.3.2.5 The recent ichthyoplankton and fish post-larvae surveys in this identified fisheries spawning ground (including The Brothers Marine Park, and northern Chek Lap Kok waters) in May to August 2013 by the Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System EIA Study (3RS EIA) reported that the ichthyoplankton and fish post-larvae densities (mean 0.96 – 8.46 larvae m^-3) and family richness (mean 3.56 – 6.86) were low ⁽[11]⁾. A total of 27 families were recorded, and the dominant ichthyoplankton and fish post-larvae families in terms of abundance were Clupeidae, Gobiidae, Ambassidae, Blenniidae and Engraulidae, accounting for about 97% of the total sample. These families identified consist of mostly low commercial value species. The results indicated that the marine area in North Lantau supported a relatively low abundance of ichthyoplankton and fish post-larvae of mainly low value commercial pelagic species.

Artificial Reefs

8.3.2.6 Artificial Reef (AR) programme has been implemented in Hong Kong’s waters by AFCD since 1996 to enhance fisheries resource and promote biodiversity ⁽[12]⁾. Artificial reefs (ARs) have been deployed in the Brothers Marine Park (BMP). The nearest AR is about 1 km (by sea distance) from the marine facilities of the Project in the Chek Lap Kok Airport Exclusion Zone. ARs in the BMP is located about 3.8 km (by sea distance) away from the marine facilities of the Project (Figure 8.4). It enhances the habitat quality and marine resources.

8.3.3 Culture Fisheries

8.3.3.1 Mariculture is protected and regulated under the Marine Fish Culture Ordinance (Cap. 353), which stipulates that licences must be obtained for marine fish culture operation and that the activity must occur within designated FCZs. The nearest FCZ is located at Ma Wan (approximately 13.6 km away from the Project area). Considering the nearest FCZ is located at some distances to the Project site and piling works with localised water quality impacts would be expected from the Project, unacceptable impacts to FCZ are not anticipated. Thus, evaluation of potential impacts on FCZ are considered not necessary. Also, there are no pond and oyster culture resources in the vicinity of the Project.

8.3.4 Fisheries Importance

8.3.4.1 Based on the baseline information reviewed, low to moderate level of capture fisheries operation and production with fisheries resources that are mainly with low commercial value were reported at the Project area, which indicates the Project area does not represent a unique fishing ground.

8.3.4.2 According to EIAO-TM Annex 9, spawning ground and nursery area can be regarded as an important habitat to fisheries as they are critical to the regeneration and long-term survival of many organisms and their populations. No recognized nursery area is identified in Northern Lantau water and the recognized spawning ground of commercial fisheries resources in not located within the 500 m Assessment Area. The level of ichthyoplankton and fish post-larvae resources of the Assessment Area was low in general and the majority of fisheries resources is of low commercial value, which indicated that the potential for the Assessment Area to function as important spawning ground is relatively low. Also, the waters within the Project area and its vicinity do not support mariculture activities. The nearest AR to be considered in this assessment is about 1 km (by sea distance) from the marine facilities of the Project in the Chek Lap Kok Airport Exclusion Zone.

8.3.5 Fisheries Sensitive Receivers

8.3.5.1 Based on the preceding review of the available information on the capture and culture fisheries of the waters in the vicinity of the proposed Project, the fisheries sensitive receivers that may be affected by Project activities are identified as follows:

· Recognised spawning ground of commercial fisheries resources in Northern Lantau waters which is ~0.6 km from the Project area; and

· Artificial reefs located in the Chek Lap Kok Airport Exclusion Zone (located ~1 km from the Project area) and within the BMP (located ~ 3.8 km from the Project area)

8.3.5.2 The locations of the sensitive receivers are shown in Figure 8.4.

8.4 Assessment Methodology

8.4.1.1 A review of baseline fisheries conditions from available literature was conducted for the purpose of evaluating fisheries resources of the waters in the Assessment Area and its vicinity. Information from the water quality impact assessment (Section 5) was examined to assess potentially affected area by perturbations to water quality parameters.

8.4.1.2 The potential impacts due to the construction and operation of the Project were then identified and evaluated (with reference to the guidelines in EIAO-TM Annex 17 and the criteria in EIAO-TM Annex 9).

8.5 Impact Identification

8.5.1 Sources of Impacts

8.5.1.1 The key construction and operation activities of the Project are discussed in Sections 2.6 & 2.7. Potential sources of impacts to fisheries arising from the Project may occur during both construction and operation activities, including:

Construction phase:

· Direct disturbances of fisheries habitat and fishing ground;

· Underwater sound; and

· Changes in water quality from discharges and runoff from land-based construction activities and workforce.

Operational phase:

· Direct disturbances of fisheries habitat and fishing ground;

· Underwater sound; and

· Marine water quality perturbation due to maintenance dredging.

8.6 Impact Assessment – Construction Phase

8.6.1 Direct Disturbances of Fisheries Habitat and Fishing Ground

8.6.1.1 Direct impacts to fisheries resources, habitats and fishing operations include disturbance caused by the piling works for the marine viaduct crossing the Tung Chung Navigation Channel and the piling works for supporting or anchoring of the marine facilities. The construction activities of the marine viaduct section are expected to be completed within 2 years (from October 2025 to October 2027) and would cause temporary disturbance to fisheries habitat and loss of access to fishing grounds with an area of approximately up to 0.67 ha. The construction activities of the marine facilities are expected to be completed within 10 months (from February 2026 to November 2026) and would cause temporary disturbance to fisheries habitat and loss of access to fishing grounds with an area of approximately up to 8.33 ha. As discussed in Sections 5.7.1, predicted changes in water quality due to marine construction works are localised and will not cause unacceptable adverse impact on water quality. It should be noted that slow moving works vessels (i.e. about 12-16 vessels movements per day at each work area including some barges/ tugboats/supporting vessels) will occupy the Project area. No direct impact to the identified fisheries sensitive receivers, including spawning ground (~0.6 km from the Project area) and artificial reefs in the Chek Lap Kok Airport Exclusion Zone (~1 km from the Project area) and within the BMP (~ 3.8 km from the Project area) is expected.

8.6.1.2 In the context of the extent of fisheries habitats and fishing grounds available in North Lantau, the size of the area affected is small. Fisheries resources would avoid areas in the vicinity of works area or close to the source of disturbance temporarily. Considering the temporary nature of the disturbance and the small extent of area affected, impacts are considered to be of minor significance and unacceptable impacts on fisheries resources, habitats and fishing activities are not expected.

8.6.2 Underwater Sound

8.6.2.1 Intermittent sounds, which occur during construction activities such as marine piling, and marine vessel movement, may have an impact on fisheries resources. Potential impacts of increased underwater sound include physiological stress, avoidance and injury (at high pressure levels). The level of impact depends on background sound, number of fish present, type of species affected, proximity of fish to the sound source, attenuation properties of seabed sediments and hearing capabilities of the species affected, etc. Most marine invertebrates do not possess air-filled space and is generally considered that sound would have limited physiological or behavioural effects on marine invertebrates only if they are located within a few metres of the sound source. Under normal conditions, underwater sound generated from marine works is expected to have negligible impact on marine invertebrates in the Assessment Area.

8.6.2.2 Fish can detect underwater sound vibrations through the lateral line system and the inner ear for species containing air-filled swim bladders. Anthropogenic underwater sounds associated with pilling and working vessels for this Project, exhibit major energy below 1,000 Hz and sound levels of between 170 and 190 dB re 1 μPa at 1 m and may be audible to most fish species ⁽[13]⁾. Waters within the Assessment Area and its vicinity is subject to relatively high levels of marine traffic by similar types of vessels; thus it is reasonable to assume that fish in these waters are habituated to a relatively high background level of underwater sound, and an increase in slow-moving vessel activity associated with the construction of this Project is not anticipated to result in unacceptable impacts on fisheries resources.

8.6.3 Changes in Water Quality from Discharges And Runoff from Land-Based Construction Activities

8.6.3.1 As discussed in Sections 5.7.2 – 5.7.3, construction runoff from the earthworks area and stockpiles, wastewater from dust suppression sprays and wheel washing facilities may contain suspended solids which could be a source of water pollution. Sewage will arise from the construction workforce and site office’s sanitary facilities. Standard site management practices and mitigation measures, described in Section 5.9.1.1, are recommended and when properly implemented, it is anticipated that no unacceptable water quality impacts would arise from these works. Consequently, impacts are considered to be of minor significance and indirect impacts on fisheries would be managed to within acceptable levels.

8.7 Impact Assessment – Operation Phase

8.7.1 Direct Disturbances of Fisheries Habitat and Fishing Ground

8.7.1.1 The proposed marine facilities and marine viaduct structures will not fully occupy all of the sea areas within Project boundary but mainly a section of surface water column for the structures over water (including marine facilities berthing area, wave attenuator, and SkyCity Pier) and a very small area of seabed for pile structures for both the viaduct and the structures over water for marine facilities. During the operation phase, the marine viaduct section and marine facilities would cause loss of fishing ground with an area of < 0.01 ha due to the pile structures. As discussed in Section 2.6.2.1, commercial fishing is prohibited within the footprint of the marine facilities which would cause loss of access to fishing grounds of approximately 8.33 ha. In the context of the extent of fisheries habitats and fishing grounds available in North Lantau, the size of the area affected is small and the majority of fisheries resources found in and around the vicinity of the Project site are of low commercial value. The impacts are considered to be of minor significance and unacceptable impacts on fisheries resources, habitats and fishing activities are not expected.

8.7.1.2 The marine facilities will be constructed over water to allow water exchanges with the marine environment. The water quality impact assessment (Section 5) indicated that no unacceptable changes in hydrodynamics will occur. Consequently, unacceptable impacts from changes to the hydrodynamic regime and water quality and consequential impacts to fisheries are, therefore, not expected to occur.

8.7.1.3 The proposed marine facilities will provide a pier (SKYCITY Pier) and marine facilities for pleasure vessels, which has been optimised to minimise marine traffic with a total of 73 berths tentatively proposed. As mentioned in Section 7.6.7.1, there will be an increase of marine traffic mainly at the proposed marine facilities (i.e. 30 trips/day and 45 trips/day for SKYCITY Pier and marine facilities, respectively), while areas near the marine viaduct will have no significant change in marine traffic. <80 trips/day of slow-moving marine traffic are expected during Project operation (mainly pleasure marine vessels for leisure and tourism). Given the presence of existing marine traffic from the 3RS and TCNTE project areas with the projected daily average of ~ 810 nos. of marine traffic (including about 160 nos. of high-speed ferries and other non-high speed ferry vessels, such as rivertrade vessels, barges, ocean going vessels and small crafts) in North Lantau waters in Year 2030 ⁽[14]⁾, operational activities of the marine facilities, such as marine traffic and the use of lighting, are expected to have negligible effect on fisheries resources which are habituated to similar activities that currently exist in the Assessment Area. Unacceptable impacts on the fisheries resources are not anticipated.

8.7.2 Underwater Sound

8.7.2.1 Vessel movements are expected for the day-to-day operation of the marine facilities, and the underwater sound characteristics of the vessels involved are very much similar to those in the area at present from current marine traffic. Fish in these waters are habituated to the background level of underwater sound, and an increase in vessel activity associated with the operation of this Project is not anticipated to result in unacceptable impacts on fisheries sensitive receivers.

8.7.3 Marine Water Quality Perturbation due to Maintenance Dredging

8.7.3.1 During the operation phase, maintenance dredging would likely be required during operation within the area of marine facilities, the scope of maintenance dredging would be to maintain the seabed level within the area of marine facilities at about the current level. Potential impacts to water quality from sediment release due to marine works are described in the water quality impact assessment in Section 5.8.2-5.8.5. These potential impacts are as follows:

· Increased concentrations of suspended solids (SS);

· Decreased dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations;

· An increase in nutrient concentrations in the water column; and

· Release of sediment-bounded contaminants into the water column.

Increased concentrations of suspended solids (SS)

8.7.3.2 Marine construction works are expected to generate SS within the water column and result in increased sediment deposition in close proximity of the works areas. The modelling works have analysed SS dispersion from maintenance dredging with and without mitigation measures (Section 5.8.2). Research from AFCD, Consultancy Study on Fisheries and Marine Ecological Criteria for Impact Assessment guideline values have been identified for fisheries and selected marine ecological sensitive receivers. The values are based on international marine water quality guidelines for the protection of ecosystems ⁽[15]⁾. The AFCD study recommends a maximum SS concentration of 50 mg L^-1(based on half of the no observable effect concentrations). However, the study cautioned that site-specific data should be considered in environmental assessments case-by-case. To provide a more conservative assessment (i.e. with a lower tolerance criterion), the Water Quality Objectives (WQOs) for SS elevation are adopted instead in this study as the assessment criteria for fisheries sensitive receivers.

8.7.3.3 As discussed in Section 5.8.2, the water quality modelling results have indicated that at all fisheries sensitive receivers, SS elevations as a result of maintenance dredging are predicted to be compliant with the relevant WQOs for both wet and dry seasons. Elevated levels of SS are expected to be temporary in nature and localised to the proximity of active marine works areas. With the implementation of mitigation measures proposed in the water quality impact assessment in Section 5.9, such as the use of silt curtains, potential impacts to fisheries would be further reduced. As such, unacceptable impacts from such works on fisheries resources and habitats (including spawning ground) are not expected to occur.

Decreased dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations

8.7.3.4 The relationships between SS and DO are complex, with elevated SS in the water column together with a number of other factors to reduce DO concentrations. Elevated SS (and turbidity) reduces light penetration, lowers the rate of photosynthesis by phytoplankton (i.e. primary productivity) and thus lowers the rate of oxygen production in the water column.

8.7.3.5 The results of the water quality assessment have indicated that elevated levels of SS due to maintenance dredging are expected to be temporary in nature and localised to the proximity of active marine works areas. DO depletion as a result of dispersion of sediment plumes are predicted to be quite low (< 0.5 mg L^-1, see Section 5.8.3) and remain compliant with the relevant WQO DO criteria at all fisheries sensitive receivers for both wet and dry seasons. Therefore, impacts are considered to be of minor significance and no unacceptable impacts to fisheries sensitive receivers from the reduction of DO concentration are expected to occur.

An Increase in nutrient concentrations in the water column

8.7.3.6 High levels of nutrients (total inorganic nitrogen and ammonia) released from disturbed sediments to the water column may potentially cause rapid increases in phytoplankton population, occasionally the occurrence of algal bloom. The associated elevated nutrient concentrations are expected to be minimal and remain compliant with WQOs at all fisheries sensitive receivers for both wet and dry seasons (see Section 5.8.4). Impacts are considered to be of minor significance and unacceptable impacts to fisheries are thus not expected to occur.

Release of sediment-bounded contaminants into the water column

8.7.3.7 The potential for release of contaminants from disturbed sediments has been assessed in Section 5.8.5. As discussed in Section 5.3.4.1, results of the elutriate tests shown that dissolved metal concentrations for all samples are below the reporting limits. This indicates that the leaching of these contaminants is unlikely to occur. Unacceptable water quality impacts due to the potential release of heavy metals pollutants from disturbed sediments into the water column are not expected to occur. Impacts on fisheries sensitive receivers due to bioaccumulation of released contaminants from disturbed sediments are thus not expected to occur.

8.8 Impact Evaluation

8.8.1.1 From the information presented above, the fisheries impacts associated with the Project are not considered to be significant. Impact evaluation according to Annex 9 of the EIAO-TM is presented in Table 8.3.

Table 8.3 Evaluation of Fisheries Impacts in accordance to the Criteria described in Annex 9 of EIAO-TM

Potential Impact	Nature of Impact	Size of Affected Area	Loss of Fisheries Resources/ Production	Destruction and Disturbance of Nursery and Spawning Grounds	Impact on Fishing Activity	Impact on Aquaculture Activity	Overall Impact Significance	Mitigation Measures Required
Construction Phase
Direct disturbances of fisheries habitat and fishing ground	Temporary construction activities with increase in slow-moving work vessels in the active works area.	Loss of access to fishing grounds with an area of ~9.00ha (~0.67ha from the pilling works for the marine viaduct and ~8.33ha from construction activities of marine facilities)	There is moderate level of fisheries production near the proposed marine facilities and low level of production near the marine viaduct, and the majority of fisheries resources is of low commercial value. Considering the relatively small extent of affected area, no unacceptable impacts on fisheries resources / production are expected.	The construction activities do not encroach on important spawning and nursery grounds. Predicted changes in water quality due to marine construction works are localised and will not cause unacceptable adverse impact on water quality.	The project area is of low to moderate level of fishing operation, fishing operation is likely to be minimal in these areas immediately next to the artificial shorelines of the Airport Island and with high speed ferry operation. Hence, the fishing operation within the Assessment Area is considered low due to limited access to fishing ground. The loss of access to fishing ground is also considered to be small compared to the availability of fishing grounds elsewhere in Northern Lantau waters available. No unacceptable impact expected.	No aquaculture activities at the Project area and hence no impact.	Minor	No
Underwater sound	Temporary and short term.	Localized to sound-generating activities, such as marine vessels and bored piling.	Avoidance and habituation by fish are expected, and negligible loss of fisheries resources or production	Underwater sound is expected to have negligible impact on spawning grounds.	Underwater sound is expected to have negligible impact on fishing operations	Aquaculture activities are too remote to be affected by underwater sound and hence no impact.	Minor	No
Changes in water quality from discharges and runoff from land-based construction activities	Temporary and short term.	Localized to the immediate vicinity of the work area at waters in Chek Lap Kok and Tung Chung	Avoidance by fish is expected, and negligible loss of fisheries resources or production.	No unacceptable change in water quality would be expected.	Impacts are localised with negligible impact on fishing operations.	No aquaculture activities at the Project area and hence no impact.	Minor	No; mitigation measures of water quality would further reduce impacts
Operational Phase
Direct disturbances of fisheries habitat and fishing ground	Long term over operation.	Localized to the vicinity of marine facilities and viaduct structures (loss of fishing ground of < 0.01 ha for pile structures of marine viaduct section and marine facilities; and permanent loss of access to fishing ground of ~8.33 ha for marine facilities). No unacceptable changes in hydrodynamics will occur.	There is moderate level of fisheries production near the proposed marine facilities and low level of production near the marine viaduct, and the majority of fisheries resources is of low commercial value. No unacceptable impact expected.	The operation of marine facilities and marine viaduct do not encroach on important spawning and nursery grounds. Predicted changes in water quality due to marine construction works are localised and will not cause unacceptable adverse impact on water quality.	The project area is of low to moderate level of fishing operation, fishing operation is likely to be minimal in these areas immediately next to the artificial shorelines of the Airport Island and with high speed ferry operation. Hence, the fishing operation within the Assessment Area is considered low due to limited access to fishing ground.. The loss of access to fishing ground is also considered to be small compared to the availability of fishing grounds elsewhere in Northern Lantau waters available. No unacceptable impact expected.	No aquaculture activities at the Project area and hence no impact.	Minor	No
Underwater sound	Long term over Project operation.	Localized to sound-generating activities, such as marine vessels	Avoidance and habituation by fish are expected, and negligible loss of fisheries resources or production.	Underwater sound is expected to have negligible impact on spawning grounds.	Underwater sound is expected to have negligible impact on fishing operations.	Aquaculture activities are too remote to be affected by underwater sound and hence no impact.	Minor	No
Marine water quality perturbation due to maintenance dredging	Temporary and short term.	Localized to the immediate vicinity of the active works areas.	Avoidance by fish is expected, and negligible loss of fisheries resources or production.	No unacceptable change in water quality would be expected.	Impacts are localised with negligible impact on fishing operations.	No aquaculture activities at the Project area and hence no impact.	Minor	No; mitigation measures of water quality would further reduce impacts

8.9 Cumulative Impact

8.9.1.1 The fisheries impact assessment has considered the cumulative effects of different activities of this Project on fisheries resources, production and fishing operations. The cumulative impacts of the various construction and operation activities of this Project and other relevant concurrent projects have been demonstrated in Section 5.10 as not causing unacceptable impacts to water quality. Consequently, unacceptable cumulative impacts to fisheries resources are not predicted to occur.

8.9.1.2 Key concurrent projects that may coincide with the construction/ implementation programmes of this Project (Section 2.9). As listed, there are 10 commenced or planned concurrent projects in the vicinity of the Project. Potential cumulative impacts were evaluated with other planned major development in Northern Lantau waters, in particular the Development of airport-related supporting uses at HKP Island located within a few kilometres from the Project. Outcomes of this evaluation are summarised as follows:

· Habitat Loss and Disturbance and Loss of Access to Fishing Grounds: the extent of disturbance of the Project is expected to be very small and confined to localised works areas at the Project area with ~9.00 ha of temporary fisheries habitat disturbance and loss of access to fishing ground during construction phase. During operational phase, there is < 0.01 ha loss of fishing ground for pile structures of marine viaduct section and marine facilities and permanent loss of access to fishing ground of ~8.33 ha for marine facilities. A cumulative permanent loss of ~1,480ha of fishing ground ⁽[16]⁾is expected from all concurrent / planned projects in the North Lantau waters, including Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System, Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge: Hong Kong Link Road (HKLR), Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge: Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF), Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL), Tung Chung New Town Extension. The present Project would only be a smaller contributor among all concurrent projects. Unacceptable cumulative impact arising from the temporary and permanent fisheries habitat loss and loss of access to fishing grounds is not expected.

· Underwater Sound: Given the similarity in underwater acoustic profiles generated by marine vessels of this Project and other projects (e.g. vessel operation, the use of construction vessels generating low-frequency sound), cumulative effects of marine vessel operational sound, if any, are anticipated to be negligible.

· Marine Traffic: this Project is located at sufficient distance from other projects in the vicinity. It is expected to involve use of slow-moving works vessels within the work area, and the frequency/ trip of vessel would also be low. Given the waters of Northern Lantau have some levels of existing marine traffic, the cumulative effects of marine traffic disturbance to the nearby fishing operations, if any, are anticipated to be negligible.

8.9.1.3 Other projects such as 11 SKIES, Tung Chung New Town Extension (TCNTE) and Tung Chung Line Extension either do not have a marine element or are at more than a few kilometers from this Project, and so no unacceptable cumulative impact on disturbance to fisheries resources, habitats (including spawning or nursery grounds) and fishing operation is expected.

8.10 Mitigation Measures

8.10.1.1 In accordance with the guidelines in the EIAO-TM on fisheries impact assessment, the approach adopted in this EIA for mitigating impacts to fisheries includes:

· Avoidance: Potential impacts should be avoided to the maximum extent practicable by adopting suitable alternatives;

· Minimisation: Unavoidable impacts should be minimised by taking appropriate and practicable measures such as confining works in specific area or season; and

· Compensation: When all possible mitigation measures have been exhausted and there are still significant residual impacts or when the impacts are permanent and irreversible, consideration shall be given to off-site compensation. It may include enhancement of fisheries resources and habitats elsewhere.

8.10.1.2 Impacts to fisheries resources, habitats and fishing operations is considered minor. Land reclamation has been avoided under the Project. Appropriate notification, communications, site protection and marking would be adopted to reduce navigation risks with fishing vessels. Mitigation measures proposed in Section 5.9 Water Quality Impact Assessment will be sufficient to mitigate the impact on fisheries (e.g. deployment of cage-type silt curtain during construction, good site practise). No fisheries-specific mitigation measures are required.

8.11 Residual Impacts

8.11.1.1 Taking into consideration the impact assessments in the previous sections and with effective implementation of the proposed mitigation measures, the significance of residual impacts on fisheries including sensitive receivers such as spawning ground and Ars located in the Chek Lap Kok Airport Exclusion Zone and within the BMP in the vicinity have been evaluated. During operational phase, there is < 0.01 ha loss of fishing ground for pile structures of marine viaduct section and marine facilities and permanent loss of access to fishing ground of ~8.33 ha for marine facilities. The areas are considered to be small in the context of similar fishing grounds and fisheries habitat elsewhere in Hong Kong. No unacceptable residual fisheries impacts during the construction and operation of the Project are therefore anticipated.

8.12 Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A)

8.12.1.1 As no unacceptable impacts have been predicted to occur during construction and operation of the Project, monitoring of fisheries resources during these construction and operation activities is not considered necessary.

8.12.1.2 Monitoring activities designed to detect and mitigate impacts to water quality during construction and operation activities are also expected to serve to protect against impacts to fisheries. The details of the water quality monitoring programme will be presented in the EM&A Manual.

8.13 Conclusion

8.13.1.1 A review of baseline information on commercial fisheries resources, habitats and fishing operations surrounding the waters of the proposed Project from available literature has been undertaken. The Project area is of low to moderate level of fishing operation, fishing operation is likely to be minimal in these areas immediately next to the artificial shorelines of the Airport Island and with high speed ferry operation. Hence, the fishing operation within the Assessment Area is considered low due to limited access to fishing ground. There is moderate level of fisheries production near the proposed marine facilities and low level of production near the marine viaduct. The catches with species of low commercial value characterise the waters of the Project. Sensitive receivers, including spawning ground commercial fisheries resources in Northern Lantau waters and artificial reefs in the Chek Lap Kok Airport Exclusion Zone and in The Brothers Marine Park, have been identified.

8.13.1.2 During construction activities of the Project, impacts arising from the proposed construction of the marine viaduct and the marine facilities include temporary disturbance to fisheries habitats and loss of access to fishing ground within the Project area. Considering the small extent of the area which is of low fisheries operation and low to moderate fisheries production, and the low commercial value of majority of fisheries resources, impacts on fisheries are considered to be minor. Impact of elevated levels of underwater sound as a result of construction activities are considered minor considering the background underwater sound level in the vicinity. Changes of water quality due to construction activities are considered to be minor to fisheries resources.

8.13.1.3 During operational phase, there is < 0.01 ha loss of fishing ground for pile structures of marine viaduct section and marine facilities and permanent loss of access to fishing ground of ~8.33 ha for marine facilities. However, the affected area is considered to very small compared to the availability of fishing grounds elsewhere in Northern Lantau waters available for fishing activities. Hence, impacts on fisheries are considered to be minor. Underwater sound due to vessel operation is considered to be minor to fisheries resources which are habituated to a relatively high background level of underwater sound. Indirect impacts to fisheries resources related to perturbations to key water quality parameters from maintenance dredging are expected to be minor as the predicted changes in water quality are localised to immediate vicinity of the Project. No unacceptable change in water quality would be expected.

8.13.1.4 The construction and operation of the Project have been designed to reduce potential impacts on water quality which will, in turn, reduce impacts on fisheries resources. No fisheries-specific mitigation measures are required during construction and operation and no unacceptable residual impacts to fisheries are expected to occur. All of the potential construction and operational fisheries impacts identified are deemed acceptable.

([1]) ARUP (2009) Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road. EIA Study (EIA-172/2009). Prepared for The Highways Department.

([2]) ARUP (2009) Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities – Investigation. EIA Study (EIA-173/2009). Prepared for The Highways Department.

([3]) AECOM (2009) Tuen Mun - Chek Lap Kok Link. EIA Study (EIA-174/2009). Prepared for The Highways Department.

^([7]) AFCD (2015) Report on Survey of Fisheries Resources in Hong Kong (2010-2015)

^([8]) Mott MacDonald (2014) Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System: EIA Study (EIA Report Registered No. AEIAR-185/2014)

^([9]) CEDD (2023) Dredging, Management and Capping of Contaminated Sediment Disposal Facility to the South of The Brothers and at East of Sha Chau. Available at: https://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/our-projects/major-projects/index-id-56.html

^([10]) ERM (2018) Hong Kong Offshore LNG Terminal EIA Report (EIA Report Registered No. AEIAR-218/2018)

⁽[11]⁾ Mott MacDonald (2014) Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System: EIA Study (EIA Report Registered No. AEIAR-185/2014)

^{(^[13])} Richardson WJ, Greene CRG, Malme CI, Thomson DH (1995) Marine Mammals and Noise. Academic Press, San Diego, 576 pp

^([14]) Mott MacDonald (2014) EIA Report for Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System (Register No.: AEIAR-185/2014) – Appendix 13.13 Marine Traffic Impact Assessment.

^([15]) City University of Hong Kong (2001). Agreement No. CE 62/98, Consultancy Study on Fisheries and Marine EcologicalCriteria for Impact Assessment, AFCD, Final Report July 2001.

^([16]) Mott MacDonald (2014) EIA Report for Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System (Register No.: AEIAR-185/2014) – S13.15 Identification and Evaluation of Cumulative Impacts.