TABLE OF CONTENTS

9.    FISHERIES IMPACT ASSESSMENT. 9-1

9.1   Introduction. 9-1

9.2   Environmental Legislation, Standards, Guidelines and Criteria. 9-1

9.3   Methodology. 9-2

9.4   Baseline Conditions. 9-4

9.5   Impact Identification and Evaluation. 9-10

9.6   Cumulative Impacts. 9-19

9.7   Mitigation of Adverse Environmental Impacts. 9-20

9.8   Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements. 9-21

9.9   Conclusion. 9-21

9.10 References. 9-23

 

List of Table

 

Table 9.1.........           Survey Programme of the Fisheries Survey

Table 9.2.........           Summary of Fisheries Resources at each Sampling Location (Mean Values Expressed as per Survey)

Table 9.3.........           Top Five Dominant Species Recorded from Fisheries Surveys

Table 9.4.........           Summary of Fishing Activities in each Season

Table 9.5.........           Evaluation of Potential Fisheries Impacts during Construction and Operational Phases

 

List of Figures

 

Figure 9.1

Assessment Area, Sites of Fisheries Importance and Sensitive Fisheries Receivers

Figure 9.2

Sampling Locations for Fisheries Survey

Figure 9.3.1

Distribution of Fishing Operation – Overall (AFCD Port Survey 2021)

Figure 9.3.2

Distribution of Fishing Operation – Sampan (AFCD Port Survey 2021)

Figure 9.3.3

Distribution of Fishing Operation – Other Types of Fishing Vessels (AFCD Port Survey 2021)

Figure 9.4.1

Distribution of Fisheries Production – Overall (AFCD Port Survey 2021)

Figure 9.4.2

Distribution of Fisheries Production – Sampan (AFCD Port Survey 2021)

Figure 9.4.3

Distribution of Fisheries Production – Other Types of Fishing Vessels (AFCD Port Survey 2021)

Figure 9.5

Locations of Fishing Activities Recorded between February 2023 and January 2024

 

 

 

List of Appendices

 

Appendix 9.1

Total Abundance (No. of Individuals) of Fisheries Resources Recorded from Fisheries Survey

Appendix 9.2

Total Biomass (g) of Fisheries Resources Recorded from Fisheries Survey

Appendix 9.3

Commercial Value of Species Recorded from Fisheries Survey

Appendix 9.4

Names and Relevant Experience of Persons Leading and Conducting in Fisheries Field Surveys

 



9.                FISHERIES IMPACT ASSESSMENT

9.1              Introduction

9.1.1.1     This report presents the fisheries baseline within the assessment area and the assessment results of the potential fisheries impacts resulting from the construction and operation of the Project.  Measures required to mitigate any identified adverse impacts are recommended, where necessary, and residual impacts are assessed.

 

9.2              Environmental Legislation, Standards, Guidelines and Criteria

9.2.1.1     Relevant regulations, legislation, and guidelines for the assessment of fisheries impact include the following:

·        Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) (Cap. 499);

·        Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM) Annexes 9 and 17;

·        Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171) and its subsidiary legislation, the Fisheries Protection Regulations;

·        Marine Fish Culture Ordinance (Cap. 353) and its subsidiary legislation; and

·        Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO) (Cap. 358) and its subsidiary regulations and statements.

9.2.1.2     Annex 17 of the EIAO-TM sets out the general approach and methodology for assessments of fisheries impacts arising from a project or proposal, to allow a complete and objective identification, prediction, and evaluation of the potential fisheries impacts.  Annex 9 recommends the criteria that can be used for evaluating fisheries impacts.

9.2.1.3     Destructive fishing practices such as the use of explosive, toxic substances, electricity, dredging, suction, and trawling devices for the purpose of fishing are detrimental to fisheries and the marine ecosystem and are prohibited under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171).

9.2.1.4     Marine fish culture is protected and regulated by the Marine Fish Culture Ordinance (Cap. 353) which requires all marine fish culture activity to operate under licence in designated fish culture zones (FCZs).

9.2.1.5     WPCO (Cap. 358) aims to control water pollution in the waters of Hong Kong.  According to the Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation, Hong Kong waters are divided into 10 water control zones (WCZs).  WCZs are designated with individual water quality objectives (WQOs) to promote the conservation and best use of those waters in the public interest.  Corresponding statements of WQOs are stipulated for different water regimes (marine waters, inland waters, bathing beaches subzones, secondary contact recreation subzones and fish culture subzones) in each of the WCZs.


 

9.3              Methodology

9.3.1         Assessment Area

9.3.1.1     The Project covers Tsing Yi West, Ma Wan South, and North Lantau.  The study on fisheries would focus on the alignment of the Project, in particular marine sections and proposed reclamation extent.

9.3.1.2     The proposed alignment with possible reclamation for the construction and protection of bridge towers and anchorages might also affect intertidal and marine habitats.  The assessment area for fisheries impact assessment follows that for water quality impact assessment, which includes the areas within 500 m distance from the boundary of the Project, the Western Buffer WCZ and other affected WCZs as designated under the WPCO (Cap. 358), as well as other areas likely to be impacted by the Project.  The assessment area is presented in Figure 9.1.

9.3.2         Literature Review

9.3.2.1     A literature review was conducted to characterise the existing conditions within the assessment area and to collect fisheries data, to establish the fisheries baseline conditions, and to identify practices, sites and species of potential fisheries importance which may be affected by the Project for incorporation into the assessment.  The literature review covered government and private sector data and reports, independent and government published literature and academic studies, and previous environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports and consultancy studies.

9.3.2.2     The information reviewed include, but not limited to the following:

·        Latest annual report and website from Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD);

·        Port Survey 2021 (AFCD 2022);

·        Report on Survey of Fisheries Resources in Hong Kong (2010-2015) (SCSFRI 2017);

·        Fisheries Resources and Fishing Operations in Hong Kong Waters (ERM 1998);

·        Consultancy Study on Fisheries and Marine Ecological Criteria for Impact Assessment (CCPC 2001);

·        Route 11 (Section between Yuen Long and North Lantau) – EIA report (Arup 2023); and

·        Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System – EIA report (Mott MacDonald 2014).

9.3.3         Field Survey

9.3.3.1     Besides literature review, fisheries surveys were conducted to fill the information gap for fisheries impact assessment.  The methods of fisheries survey are discussed in following paragraphs.

9.3.3.2     Survey stations were located to collect pelagic fauna samples (gill netting) and demersal fauna samples (cage trapping).  The survey comprised of four stations (FS-1 to FS-4) located in the nearby marine waters (Figure 9.2 refers).  FS-1 and FS-2 were located near Sam Chuen and Yi Chuen of Northeast Lantau, respectively, while FS-3 was at South Ma Wan and FS-4 was at the northwest tip of Tsing Yi.  To avoid marine traffic and for safety of sampling operation, transects were chosen near shore, i.e. within approximately 100 m from shoreline.  The sampling locations were recorded by using global positioning system when conducting the field surveys, and water depth was measured using portable sonar system during survey.  Data analysis for the mentioned fisheries surveys included species composition, numerical abundance, size, biomass in wet weight and calculation of diversity index.

9.3.3.3     The programme of the fisheries survey is shown in Table 9.1.  Gill netting and cage trapping surveys were conducted between July and September 2023 during the wet season, and between November 2023 and January 2024 during the dry season.  Fishing activities observation surveys were carried out from February 2023 to January 2024 covering the dry, wet, and transitional seasons. 

Gill Netting

9.3.3.4     Six (6) gill nets were deployed at each sampling station for three hours.  Each net was 1.5 m in stretch depth, 30 m in length and comprised of three layers, with two 20 cm stretch mesh size sandwiching a 5 cm stretch mesh size.  All fish and/or crustaceans species captured were recorded and identified to species level as far as practicable.  Specimen measurements including total length / standard length / fork length, and wet biomass were recorded.

Cage Trapping

9.3.3.5     Demersal fauna sampling was performed by cage trapping.  Two (2) chains of cage traps were deployed to the sea bottom at each location for three hours, in which one (1) chain comprised 20 rabbitfish cages (50-60 cm in diameter and 30-40 cm in height, with a mesh size of 25 mm; each cage about 10 m apart); and one (1) chain comprised 20 crab cages (60 cm in diameter and 28 cm in height, with a mesh size of 20 mm; each cage about 10 m apart).  Baits used were standardised, consisting of a mix of fish and bread.  All species caught in the cage were identified to species level as far as practical.  The size, length, biomass by wet weight were measured and recorded.

Fishing Activities Survey

9.3.3.6     In order to supplement the information from the Port Survey, fishing activities surveys were performed.  The surveys were performed at suitable sampling locations along the coastal area to observe the assessment area (Figure 9.2 refers).  The fishing activities surveys were conducted at daytime between 12 noon and 6 pm once per month over a duration of 12 months with the aid of at least 8x binocular.  Both commercial and recreational fishing activities observed in the sampling locations were recorded.  The fishing operation information recorded included number, types, size, and operation location of the fishing vessels.  Data of the fishing activities survey were presented by observation dates with a location map showing the locations of the recorded fishing operations.

Table 9.1         Survey Programme of the Fisheries Survey

Survey Type

Dry Season

<->

Wet Season

<->

Dry Season

2023

2024

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Gill Netting

 

 

 

 

ü

ü

ü

 

ü

ü

ü

Cage Trapping

 

 

 

 

ü

ü

ü

 

ü

ü

ü

Fishing Activities Observation

ü

ü

ü

ü

ü

ü

ü

ü

ü

ü

ü

ü

 

9.4              Baseline Conditions

9.4.1         Literature Review

Physical Environmental Background

9.4.1.1     Hong Kong is situated at the mouth of the Pearl River, within the delta region that spans Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong Province of China.  Based on the hydrographical conditions and its proximity to the Pearl River Estuary, Hong Kong waters are mainly categorised into four major zones, where the assessment area of this Project is located in the western waters of Hong Kong.  The marine water within the assessment area of the Project is surrounded by Tsing Yi, Ma Wan, Tang Lung Chau and Northeast Lantau.

Fishing Operation

9.4.1.2     Trawl ban has been implemented in Hong Kong waters since 31 December 2012.  After the trawl ban, fishing activities in Hong Kong waters are mainly conducted by sampans and other smaller non-trawling fishing vessels (such as gill netters, purse seiners, long liners, and cage trappers).  Trawlers and other larger non-trawling vessels generally operate in the adjacent waters of South China Sea.  AFCD Port Survey provides the most comprehensive information on capture fisheries in Hong Kong waters, including fishing operations and fisheries production.  From the results of the latest Port Survey in 2021, the assessment area was of moderate usage by fishing vessels (>200-400 vessels per grid) (Figure 9.3.1 refers).  Sampan was the dominant fishing vessel with >200-400 vessels per grid (Figure 9.3.2 refers), while the number of other types of fishing vessels were very low (>0-50 vessels per grid) (Figure 9.3.3 refers; AFCD 2022).

9.4.1.3     Fishing activities surveys were conducted for the Route 11 (Section between Yuen Long and North Lantau) Project in January 2019 and between March and December 2022.  Their survey locations covered Ma Wan, Tsing Lung Tau and the north side of Lantau Island near Ng Kwu Leng which partly overlapped with the assessment area of this Project.  A total of 37 vessels with fishing activities were recorded within their study area during the surveys and were mainly comprised of recreational fishing activities.  Commercial fishing activities with gill netting, cage trapping and hand lining were apparently rare as indicated by the survey results (Arup 2023).

Capture Fisheries

9.4.1.4     The fishing industry makes an important contribution to Hong Kong in maintaining a steady supply of fresh marine fish to local consumers.  In 2023, it produced an estimated 87,000 tonnes of fisheries production valued at about $2.4 billion (AFCD 2024a).  From the results of AFCD’s latest Port Survey, adult fish production in the assessment area was mainly at moderate level (>200-300 kg/ha) (Figure 9.4.1 refers), with sampans and other types of fishing vessels contributing to >100-200 kg/ha and >50-100 kg/ha of fisheries production, respectively (Figure 9.4.2 and Figure 9.4.3 refer).  Fish fry collection was found negligible in the Port Survey 2021 (AFCD 2022).

9.4.1.5     A fisheries resources survey was conducted by AFCD to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the trawl ban and other relevant fisheries management measures on the recovery of fisheries resources in Hong Kong waters.  Two types of surveys including shrimp trawl surveys and stern trawl surveys were conducted in the north-western waters of Hong Kong, of which the assessment area falls in.  Main commercial families from the shrimp trawl surveys include Penaeidae, Sciaenidae, Platycephalidae, Portunidae, Clupeidae, Leiognathidae, Cynoglossidae, Squillidae, Polynemidae and Synodontidae, while the main commercial catches from stern trawl surveys include Clupeidae, Sciaenidae, Engraulidae, Leiognathidae, Carangidae, Stromateidae, Penaeidae, Portunidae, Trichiuridae and Polynemidae (SCSFRI 2017).

9.4.1.6     Fisheries surveys were also conducted in 2013 during the EIA study of the Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System, covering the North Lantau waters and Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park.  Fish trawl surveys, purse-seine surveys, gill net surveys, hand line surveys and ichthyoplankton and fish post-larvae surveys were conducted.  Results of the fisheries surveys provided the general fisheries conditions of North Lantau waters.  It was concluded that the North Lantau waters were of moderate fisheries production that mainly comprised of species not commercially targeted or of low commercial values, namely anchovy (Thryssa kammalensis) and sardine (Sardinella albella) (Mott MacDonald 2014).

9.4.1.7     Another gill netting and cage trapping surveys were conducted in January 2019 and between March and September 2022 for the Route 11 (Section between Yuen Long and North Lantau) Project.  Fisheries surveys were conducted in four sampling locations at the North Lantau waters, including Tai Lam, Tsing Lung Tau, Ng Kwu Leng and Tsing Chau Wan.  Catches of low mean abundance and biomass were recorded.  The majority of organisms caught were not commercially targeted or of low commercial value that accounted for about 82% of total biomass and 69% of total abundance (Arup 2023).

Spawning Ground of Commercial Fisheries Resources

9.4.1.8     Consultancy paper “Fisheries Resources and Fishing Operations in Hong Kong Waters” identified important spawning and nursery grounds of fisheries resources in Hong Kong waters.  The Northeast Lantau area covering the Brothers Marine Park (BMP) and the Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park is identified as one of the important spawning grounds of commercial fisheries resources including Leiognathus brevirostris, Lateolabrax japonicus and Clupanodon punctatus (ERM 1998).  However, it is located about 4.5 km away from the assessment area (Figure 9.1 refers).

Artificial Reefs

9.4.1.9     An Artificial Reef (AR) project has been implemented in Hong Kong waters by AFCD since 1996 to enhance fisheries resource, restore destructed habitats, protect important nursery and spawning grounds and marine protected areas, and to improve the habitat quality of homogenous seabed.  ARs are widely recognised for the ability to encourage growth and development of a great number and variety of marine organisms, which in turn provide food, shelter, and protection for fishes.  The deployed ARs in Hong Kong waters are therefore regarded as fisheries sensitive receivers.  More than 600 units of ARs with a total volume about 180,000 m3 have been deployed at various locations in Hong Kong waters, such as marine parks, important fish spawning and nursery grounds, and FCZs (AFCD 2023).  Besides the AFCD ARs project, there are also other ARs deployed as mitigation measures compensating the impact of marine works.

9.4.1.10   The closest AR deployment site is located within the BMP to the south of Siu Mo To, with ARs cubical in shape with a height of about 3.5 m and a base of about 8.1 m by 8.1 m.  These ARs are located about 5 km away from the assessment area (Figure 9.1 refers).

Culture Fisheries

9.4.1.11   Marine fish culture involves rearing of marine fish from fry or fingerlings to marketable size in cages suspended by floating rafts usually in sheltered coastal areas.  The species cultured changed gradually over the recent years depending on the availability of imported fry mainly from the Mainland, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, or Indonesia.  Common species under culture include green grouper, brown-spotted grouper, giant grouper, Russell’s snapper, mangrove snapper, gold lined seabream, and star snapper (AFCD 2024b).  Marine fish culture is protected and regulated by the Marine Fish Culture Ordinance (Cap. 353) which requires all marine fish culture activity to operate under licence in designated FCZs.

9.4.1.12   Currently, there are 28 FCZs occupying a total sea area of 650 ha with some 911 licensed operators.  The estimated production in 2023 was about 499 tonnes valued at HK$54 million (AFCD 2024b).  The nearest mariculture site is Ma Wan FCZ, which is divided into three subzones at Tam Shui Wan, Shek Tsai Wan and Kung Tsai Wan, respectively.  The assessment area partially overlaps with the subzone of Ma Wan FCZ at Kung Tsai Wan, and about 450 m from the project area (Figure 9.2 refers).  It has been observed that there are no fishing rafts in the subzone at Kung Tsai Wan over the past two years. 

9.4.2         Results from Gill Netting and Cage Trapping Surveys

Overview

9.4.2.1     Fisheries surveys using gill netting and cage trapping were conducted at four sampling locations, i.e. FS-1 (near Sam Chuen of Northeast Lantau), FS-2 (near Yi Chuen of Northeast Lantau), FS-3 (at South Ma Wan) and FS-4 (at the northwest tip of Tsing Yi) during the wet season (July to September 2023) and dry season (November 2023 to January 2024).

9.4.2.2     A total of 1,813 individuals weighing 118.01 kg from 93 species of 49 families were collected in the four sampling locations during the survey period.  Among all, 1,007 individuals of fishes weighing 69.84 kg from 77 species of 40 families, 795 individuals of crustaceans weighing 44.21 kg from 14 species of seven families, and 11 individuals of cephalopods weighing 3.96 kg from two species of two families were recorded from the surveys.  Results of the surveys are summarised in Table 9.2. A full list of species with their respective abundance and biomass are shown in Appendices 9.1 and 9.2.

Commercial Value

9.4.2.3     According to the Annual Report 2022/23 of Fish Marketing Organization (FMO), the average wholesale prices of fresh marine fish ranged from HK$74-108/kg with an average price of HK$84/kg (FMO 2024).  The commercial value of fishes recorded in the surveys was estimated based on FMO’s wholesale price of fresh marine fish and ranked into three classes: High value (>HK$108/kg); Medium value (HK$74-108/kg); and Low value (<HK$74/kg).  For species of which prices are not provided by FMO, their commercial values were estimated with reference to previous EIA reports, FishBase and price of similar species. It should be noted that there are no published wholesale prices of crustaceans available for assessment of commercial value.  Most edible species of prawns (e.g. Penaeus semisulcatus) and crabs (e.g. Portunus pelagicus) are generally regarded as having high commercial value (ERM, 2022).

9.4.2.4     Among the 93 species recorded in the surveys, 67 of them were regarded as commercial species and 39 of them were of low commercial values (Appendix 9.3 refers). Overall, the catches were mainly comprised of no and low-valued species which accounted for 44.6% and 35.8% of total biomass and 50.2% and 40.3% of total abundance, respectively.  Medium- and high-valued species only contributed to about 14.8% and 4.8% of total biomass and 7.0% and 2.5% of total abundance, respectively.

Species Composition

9.4.2.5     The top five dominant species contributed to a total of about 67.6% and 76.0% of all the species recorded in the surveys in terms of biomass and abundance, respectively (Table 9.3 refers).

9.4.2.6     The most dominant species by both biomass and abundance was Charybdis hellerii (crustacean).  This species, which is not commercially targeted, comprised more than one-third of the total biomass and abundance (35.0% and 39.0%, respectively).

9.4.2.7     The fish species Siganus canaliculatus / Siganus fuscescens which is of low commercial value ranked second, contributing to about 15.5% of total biomass and 27.4% of total abundance (Table 9.3 refers). S. canaliculatus and S. fuscescens are morphologically very similar and Hsu et al. (2011) suggested that the two species are synonyms.  In Hong Kong, S. canaliculatus / S. fuscescens is commonly found and widespread across the local waters (Sadovy and Cornish 2000; Mak 2017; 114E HK Reef Fish 2024), and is versatile that can thrive in polluted waters, including typhoon shelters and sewage outfalls (Sadovy and Cornish 2000; 114E HK Reef Fish 2024).

9.4.2.8     The fish species Gymnothorax reevesii, a medium-valued species, was the third most dominant species in terms of biomass.  However, there were only seven individuals caught in the surveys.  The remaining dominant species, including Arius maculatus, Sepia spp., Johnius macrorhynus, and Thalamita sima, comprised of less than 5% of the total biomass and abundance, respectively (Table 9.3 refers).

Spatial and Seasonal Variation

9.4.2.9     During both wet and dry seasons, the fisheries resources at FS-2 and FS-3 (that located inside the project area) were generally lower than those of FS-1 and FS-4 (that located outside the project area but within the assessment area).  Abundance, biomass, and catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) at FS-1 and FS-4 were relatively higher in both seasons.  FS-2 and FS-3 which were within the project area had relatively lower abundance, biomass and CPUE.  Mean yield-per-unit-effort (YPUE) was also the highest at FS-4 in the wet season and at FS-1 in the dry season.  FS-3 had the lowest YPUE among the four sampling locations in both seasons.

9.4.2.10   Similar pattern was observed in the species richness during the wet season.  Relatively higher species richness (in terms of both total species richness recorded throughout the surveys and mean species richness recorded per survey) were recorded at FS-1 and FS-4 when compared to that at FS-2 and FS-3.  During the dry season, species richness at FS-3 was the largest, followed by FS-1, FS-2, and FS-4.  Mean species diversity for the four sampling locations were considered to be low to moderate, with some unevenness in species distribution.  Across all the sampling locations, species diversity and evenness at FS-3 were the highest in both seasons.  In the wet season, the lowest species diversity and evenness were recorded at FS-2, while the lowest species diversity and evenness in the dry season were recorded at FS-4 and FS-1, respectively (Table 9.2 refers).

9.4.2.11   Across the four sampling locations, the fisheries resources recorded during the wet season were relatively higher than those recorded during the dry season.  Abundance, biomass, CPUE and YPUE were consistently higher during the wet season compared to the dry season across all the sampling locations.  The number of species collected during the wet season was also higher than that of the dry season, except at FS-2, where the total and mean species richness were the same in both seasons. Species diversity and evenness were relatively higher in the wet season at FS-1 and FS-4, whereas they were relatively larger during the dry season at FS-2 and FS-3. 

Table 9.2         Summary of Fisheries Resources at each Sampling Location (Mean Values Expressed as per Survey)

Sampling Location

FS-1

FS-2

FS-3

FS-4

Season

Wet

Dry

Wet

Dry

Wet

Dry

Wet

Dry

Total Abundance (No. of Individuals)

296

276

211

129

201

73

468

159

Mean Abundance (No. of Individuals)

98.7

92.0

70.3

43.0

67.0

24.3

156.0

53.0

Total Biomass (kg)

19.52

13.73

18.55

6.54

17.74

5.64

27.85

8.43

Mean Biomass (kg)

6.51

4.58

6.18

2.18

5.91

1.88

9.28

2.81

Mean CPUE (No. of individuals/hr)

30.3

28.8

22.8

12.9

20.6

7.6

46.8

16.4

Mean YPUE (kg/hr)

2.00

1.44

2.00

0.65

1.83

0.59

2.79

0.87

Total Species Richness

37

20

17

17

30

24

36

17

Mean Species Richness

16.0

10.3

8.0

8.0

14.3

11.7

17.7

7.7

Mean Species Diversity (H')

1.74

1.17

1.20

1.39

2.04

2.13

1.74

1.15

Mean Species Evenness (J')

0.64

0.51

0.58

0.67

0.80

0.88

0.60

0.57

 

Table 9.3         Top Five Dominant Species Recorded from Fisheries Surveys

Type

Family

Species

Commer-cial Value

Total Biomass (kg)

% of Total Biomass (Rank)

Total Abundance (No. of Individuals)

% of Total Abundance (Rank)

Crustacean

Portunidae

Charybdis hellerii

-

41.28

35.0% (1)

707

39.0% (1)

Fish

Siganidae

Siganus canaliculatus / Siganus fuscescens

L

18.25

15.5% (2)

497

27.4% (2)

Fish

Muraenidae

Gymnothorax reevesii

M

7.56

6.4% (3)

7

0.4% (-)

Fish

Ariidae

Arius maculatus

M

5.09

4.3% (4)

62

3.4% (3)

Cephalopod

Sepiidae

Sepia spp.

L

3.80

3.2% (5)

10

0.6% (-)

Fish

Sciaenidae

Johnius macrorhynus

L

3.80

3.2% (5)

51

2.8% (5)

Crustacean

Portunidae

Thalamita sima

-

1.69

1.4% (-)

61

3.4% (4)

Note: Commercial value: “M” = Medium; “L” = Low; and “- “= not commercially important species or commercial value not evaluated.


 

9.4.3         Results from Fishing Activities Survey

9.4.3.1     Between February 2023 and January 2024, a total of 151 vessels with fishing activities were recorded.  Locations of the fishing activities observed during the surveys are shown in Figure 9.5. The level of fishing activities was considered to be relatively low, with an average of 13 fishing vessels encountered per monthly survey.

9.4.3.2     Fishing activities were observed around the assessment area, including the coastline from Yi Chuen to Sam Chuen, along Kap Shui Mun Fairway, the southern Ma Wan Pier, and the northwest tip of Tsing Yi.  The fishing activities were more concentrated at the northwest tip of Tsing Yi and along the Tsing Ma Bridge, with the majority of these activities encountered outside the Project area.  Both recreational and commercial fishing activities were recorded around the assessment area.  Fishing rods and hand lining were mainly used for recreational purposes, while gill nets and cage traps were utilised for commercial purposes.  Majority of fishing (135 out of 151 vessels) was undertaken by recreational fishing boats (sampans), while only a small number of commercial fishing boats (sampans) equipped with gill nets and cage traps were observed (16 out of 151 vessels) (Figure 9.5 and Table 9.4 refer). 

9.4.3.3     Commercial fishing activities were active throughout all seasons with the highest number recorded during the dry season (nine out of 16 vessels), while recreational fishing activities peaked in the dry season (89 out of 135 vessels) (Table 9.4 refers).  During the dry season, most of the fishing activities were observed along the Tsing Ma Bridge and around the northwest tip of Tsing Yi.

9.4.3.4     Land-based recreational fishing activities were also observed at the southern Ma Wan Pier and along the southern Ma Wan coastline to Tai Pai Tsui Pier, where can be easily accessed on foot by the general public.  Along the coastlines of Yi Chuen to Sam Chuen, and Kap Shui Mun area between Lung Ha Wan and Yi Chuen, occasional fishing activities were recorded with relatively less people than that along Ma Wan coastline due to the increased inaccessibility of the Ng Kwu Leng coastline.

Table 9.4         Summary of Fishing Activities in each Season

Type of Fishing Activity

Dry

Wet

Transitional

Overall

Recreational (Hand Lining / Angling)

89

24

22

135

Commercial (Gill Netting and Cage Trapping)

9

4

3

16

Total No. of Vessels

98

28

25

151

 

9.4.4         Summary of Fisheries Baseline Conditions

9.4.4.1     Results of AFCD Port Survey 2021 indicated that the assessment area of the Project is of moderate usage by fishing vessels (>200-400 vessels; mainly sampans) and provides moderate level of capture fisheries production (>200-300 kg/ha).  The fisheries resources in the North Lantau waters were mainly comprised of species not commercially targeted or of low commercial values according to the EIA studies for Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System and Route 11 (Section between Yuen Long and North Lantau).  The nearest spawning ground of commercial fisheries resources in the northeast Lantau and AR deployment site within the BMP are located far away from the Project, i.e. about 4.5 km and 5 km away from the assessment area, respectively.  One of the three subzones of Ma Wan FCZ at Kung Tsai Wan is situated inside the assessment area and about 450 m from the project area.

9.4.4.2     Fisheries surveys conducted during the wet season (July to September 2023) and dry season (November 2023 to January 2024) using gill netting and cage trapping showed that the catches within the assessment area were mostly comprised of non-commercially targeted and low-valued species which accounted for 80.4% of total biomass and 90.5% of total abundance.  The fisheries resources at the two sampling locations inside the project area were generally lower than those recorded at other two sampling locations outside the project area but within the assessment area, in terms of abundance, biomass, CPUE, YPUE and species richness.  Overall, species diversity at the four sampling locations were low to moderate, with some unevenness in species distribution.  The fishing activities surveys conducted between February 2023 and January 2024 recorded an average of 13 fishing vessels per monthly survey within and in the vicinity of the project area.  The fishing activities were mainly recreational undertaken by sampans, with higher frequency of observations at the northwest tip of Tsing Yi and along the Tsing Ma Bridge outside the project area.

9.4.5         Fisheries Sensitive Receiver

9.4.5.1     Based on the review of the available information on the capture and culture fisheries of the waters in the vicinity of the proposed Project, and the water quality model evaluation in the water quality impact assessment, the potential fisheries sensitive receiver that may be affected by the Project includes:

·        Ma Wan FCZ (about 450 m away from the project area)

9.4.5.2     The water quality impact assessment indicates that, even under the worst-case scenario, any water quality exceedances would be localised, short-lived, and confined near the reclamation filling area during the wet season, with no exceedances expected at any water sensitive receivers after the implementation of silt curtains.  Therefore, other sensitive receivers, including the spawning ground of commercial fisheries resources in the northeast Lantau and the AR deployment site in the BMP, which are located far from the project area (i.e. about 4.5 km and 5 km away from the assessment area), are outside the actual impact zone and are not considered potential fisheries sensitive receivers that may be affected by the Project.  Their locations are shown in Figure 9.1.

 

9.5              Impact Identification and Evaluation

9.5.1         Assessment Methodology

9.5.1.1     A review of baseline fisheries conditions from available literature and field surveys was conducted to establish the fisheries importance of the waters in the assessment area and its vicinity.  The potential fisheries impacts during the construction and operational phases of the Project were then assessed (with reference to the guidelines in EIAO-TM Annex 17) and the impacts evaluated (with reference to the criteria in EIAO-TM Annex 9).  The impact assessment in the following sections is based on the current available information.

9.5.2         Potential Impacts

9.5.2.1     The Project will involve the construction of two cable-supported bridges crossing over the Ma Wan Fairway and Kap Shui Mun Fairway from Tsing Yi West to North Lantau.  This includes an earth-anchored twin-tower suspension bridge across the Ma Wan Fairway and an earth-anchored single-tower suspension bridge across the Kap Shui Mun Fairway.  The proposed marine works associated with the Project will include:

·        Four areas of reclamation works and seawall construction with a total area of about 19.8 ha to accommodate and protect the proposed bridge towers and anchorage, namely Tsing Yi Tower, Ma Wan South Tower, Ma Wan South Anchorage and Kap Shui Mun Tower; and

·        Piling works for the construction of Vessel Impact Protection System (VIPS) structure of about 0.1 ha to protect the deflection pier at North Lantau.

9.5.2.2     Following the completion of the construction of towers and anchorages, the construction process will proceed with the installation of suspension cables.  Subsequently, the suspenders will be installed, followed by the erection of the bridge deck.  The bridge deck will be pre-fabricated off-site in segments.  These segments will then be transported to the site by barge and lifted into place for installation.

9.5.2.3     The potential fisheries impacts arising during the construction and operation of the Project have been assessed and discussed in the following sections:

Construction Phase

·        Permanent and temporary loss of fishing ground and fisheries habitat due to reclamation and piling works and the works area for construction;

·        Disruption of fish culture activity;

·        Deterioration of water quality due to marine and land-based construction works; and

·        Underwater sound generated from marine construction activities.

Operational Phase

·        Permanent loss of fishing ground and fisheries habitat due to reclamation and piling works;

·        Change of hydrodynamics induced by the footprint of the superstructures; and

·        Deterioration of water quality due to non-point source surface runoff.

9.5.3         Construction Phase

Direct Impact

Loss of Fishing Ground and Fisheries Habitat

9.5.3.1     Potential impacts on fisheries include permanent and temporary loss of fishing ground and fisheries resources.  Along the marine waters of the proposed dual 3-lane carriageway between North Lantau and Tsing Yi, there will be four reclamation areas for the construction of Tsing Yi Tower, Ma Wan South Tower, Ma Wan South Anchorage and Kap Shui Mun Tower.  The reclamation works in these areas will lead to a permanent loss of around 19.8 ha of fishing ground and fisheries habitat.  Additionally, a pile-supported VIPS at the deflection pier will be constructed near Yi Chuen in Northeast Lantau, resulting in a loss of around 0.1 ha of fishing ground.  Therefore, a total of about 19.9 ha of fishing ground and fisheries habitat is expected to be permanently lost due to the Project.  Temporary loss of fishing ground and fisheries habitat is also anticipated due to restricted access in the works area for reclamation and bridge construction, as well as the temporary barging points at the proposed works area at Tai Chuen of North Lantau and Northwest Tsing Yi next to the Tsing Ma Bridge for loading and unloading of the construction materials.  Approximately 62 ha of fishing ground and fisheries habitat are expected to be temporarily lost.  When compared with the 1,640 km2 (approximately 164,000 ha) of total marine waters in Hong Kong (EPD, 2025) which is mostly available for fishing, the loss of fishing ground and fisheries habitat caused by the Project is considered to be of minor proportion.  Moreover, the level of fisheries production and fishing operation within the project area is moderate.  Therefore, the potential impact of fishing ground and fisheries habitat loss during construction phase is considered minor.

9.5.3.2     Fishing vessels originally using the area of marine waters in the works area as part of their fishing ground might need to shift their operation to other locations/areas. However, most existing fishing operations taking place in surrounding waters are predominantly by sampans, which are small-sized and highly flexible. Therefore, the potential impact to fishing operation is considered minor.  

Disruption of Fish Culture Activity

9.5.3.3     A portion of the Ma Wan FCZ, i.e. one of its three subzones at Kung Tsai Wan where no fishing rafts have been observed over the past two years, has been identified within the assessment area (Figure 9.2 refers).  Since the works area of the Project will be about 450 m away from the gazetted boundary of Ma Wan FCZ, no loss of fish culture area is anticipated. Moreover, a marine traffic corridor will be maintained between the FCZ and the proposed works area, which the Ma Wan Fairway and Kap Shui Mun Fairway will be opened at all times. Therefore, the potential impact on disruption of fish culture activity during construction phase is expected to be insignificant.

Indirect Impact

Deterioration of Water Quality

9.5.3.4     Potential indirect impacts to fisheries resources and fisheries sensitive receivers including Ma Wan FCZ due to changes of water quality associated with the construction works might occur.  Construction activities including dredging, backfilling, reclamation, seawall construction and piling works would result in elevated level of suspended solids (SS), release of nutrients and/or contaminants and reduction of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the nearby marine bodies.  High level of SS might clog gills of the fishes and smother other marine organisms that rely on filter feeding, while high turbidity would affect the foraging of organisms relying on eye sights.  A lower DO level would affect stationary species, whilst mobile species would tend to temporarily avoid the area.  The results could be a temporary reduction in abundance of fisheries resources.  Nutrients and/or contaminants in the seabed sediment might be released into the marine waters when the sediment is disturbed and might have negative effects on water quality such as increasing the chances of algal bloom or accumulation of contaminants inside organisms.

9.5.3.5     Quantitative water quality modelling was conducted in Section 5 to evaluate the water quality impacts resulting from the dredging and reclamation works.  The modelling results indicated that the SS elevation at all the sensitive receivers during dredging would be fully compliant with the relevant WQOs even without implementing mitigation measures such as silt curtains (Section 5.7.2.18).  The sediment plume and sedimentation rate would be further reduced through the implementation of silt curtains during dredging.   As discussed in Section 5.7.2.24, the increase in SS levels due to dredging would result in minimal DO depletion.  The predicted DO concentrations at most of the sensitive receivers during dredging would comply with the relevant WQOs even without any mitigation measures such as silt curtains, except at some locations during the wet season due to relatively low baseline values at that time.  During reclamation filling activities, no exceedance of the respective WQOs is anticipated at all the sensitive receivers with the implementation of silt curtains (Section 5.8.1.3).  Results of elutriate and pore water tests demonstrated that the concentrations of various contaminants, including heavy metals and metalloid, organic micro-pollutants, and inorganic non-metallic pollutants, all comply with environmental standards.  Based on the assessment results, adverse impacts on water quality due to contaminants released from disturbed sediments during construction activities are not anticipated.   Therefore, through the adoption of non-dredged reclamation, including deep cement mixing (DCM) and jet grouting for ground treatment as far as practicable (although a combination of DCM and dredging have to be utilised due to site constraints, efforts have been made to minimise the extent of dredging within localised area with thin marine deposits), alongside the provision of water quality mitigation measures (such as installation of silt curtain) and implementation of water quality monitoring programme, it is expected that the indirect impacts of deterioration of water quality to the fisheries resources and fisheries sensitive receivers would be temporary and insignificant.

9.5.3.6     Pollutants or chemical spillage from the land-based works might occur, but the magnitude is not expected to be significant and should be transient.  The potential water quality impacts arising from land-based works including construction site runoff, sewage effluent from construction workforce, wastewater discharges from general construction activities and accidental spillage of chemical can be controlled through the adoption of precautionary measures and good site practices mentioned in Section 5, such as provision of suitable site facilities.  Potential water quality impacts due to spillage, sewage from works forces and wastewater from land-based works is therefore considered insignificant.

Underwater Sound

9.5.3.7     Underwater sound generated from construction activities such as construction vessel movement and marine piling works may cause potential disturbance to fisheries resources.  Some impacts on fishes by underwater noise include possible mortality, physical injury, auditory tissue damage, temporary threshold shift, behavioural changes and reduction in egg viability and larval growth.  Given that the Project is located around the Kap Shui Mun Fairway and Ma Wan Fairway which experiences relatively high levels of marine traffic, it is reasonable to assume that the fishes in these waters are tolerant to a relatively high background level of underwater sound.  The peak number of trips by marine works vessels is estimated to be about 30 per day, depending on the demand for marine construction activities.  These marine works vessels are expected to operate in localised waters between the works area and the two barging points at Tai Chuen of North Lantau and Northwest Tsing Yi next to the Tsing Ma Bridge.  Therefore, the limited increase in the marine traffic associated with the construction activities is not expected to cause unacceptable impacts on the fisheries resources and fisheries sensitive receivers, and the potential impact of underwater noise is considered insignificant.

9.5.3.8     Underwater piling works will be conducted as part of the VIPS construction at the deflection pier of about 0.1 ha in size at North Lantau, which is tentatively expected to last 10 months.  The piling works will utilise bored piles instead of driven piles, which generate less noise and vibration and eliminate the need for spoil removal, ensuring minimal disturbance.  Given the small scale and short-term nature of the piling works within the overall VIPS construction programme, and the fact that the deflection pier is located more than 650 m away from the nearest subzone of the Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone at Kung Tsai Wan, the disturbance surrounding marine fish and fisheries-sensitive receivers is expected to be minimal. Therefore, the impact is anticipated to be insignificant.

9.5.4         Operational Phase

Direct Impact

Loss of Fishing Ground and Fisheries Habitat

9.5.4.1     The presence of superstructures in the marine waters including Tsing Yi Tower, Ma Wan South Tower, Ma Wan South Anchorage, Kap Shui Mun Tower and VIPS at the deflection pier at North Lantau will result in loss of fishing ground and fisheries habitat during operational phase.  A permanent loss of about 19.9 ha of fishing ground and fisheries habitat is anticipated, which constitutes an insignificant portion of the 1,700 km2 (approximately 170,000 ha) of total Hong Kong marine waters (EPD 2021).  Moreover, most existing fishing operations in surrounding waters are predominantly by sampans that are small-sized and highly flexible, and the fisheries production within the project area is mainly comprised of species not commercially targeted or low-valued species.  Therefore, the potential impact on fisheries due to loss of fishing ground and fisheries resources are anticipated to be minor.

Indirect Impact

Change in Hydrodynamics

9.5.4.2     The proposed reclamation work of this Project may affect the hydrodynamic regime of the adjacent waters and hence a quantitative hydrodynamic modelling was conducted in Section 5 to assess the overall hydrodynamic impacts.  The modelling results indicated that the reclamation works would not significantly alter the hydrodynamic regime of the adjacent waters.  Insignificant differences were observed in water level, salinity, flow velocities, flow rates, and flow fields between the pre-construction and post-construction scenarios.  Therefore, the potential fisheries impact due to change in local hydrodynamic regime and subsequent changes in water quality is expected to be insignificant.  No maintenance dredging are deemed necessary for this Project and hence there would be no additional hydrodynamic impacts.

Deterioration of Water Quality

9.5.4.3     Surface runoff containing contaminants from the paved roads to the adjacent marine waters is anticipated during rainfall events.  Contaminants may include hydrocarbons, chemicals, and sediments.  With the application of adequate water quality mitigation measures such as provision of proper drainage system, screening facilities, silt traps and oil interceptors mentioned in Section 5, no unacceptable water quality impacts from the non-point source surface runoff are expected.


 


Table 9.5         Evaluation of Potential Fisheries Impacts during Construction and Operational Phases

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

Loss of fishing ground and fisheries habitat due to reclamation and piling works and the works area for construction

Permanent

Approximately 19.9 ha of fishing ground and fisheries habitat would be permanently lost due to the proposed reclamation and piling works.

The total permanent and temporary loss of fishing ground and fisheries habitat is considered to be a minor proportion of the marine waters in Hong Kong available for fishing with moderate production.  Therefore, the impact from the loss of fishing ground and fisheries habitat is considered to be minor.

Since there is no spawning grounds and nursery areas within the assessment area, there is no impact on destruction and disturbance of important spawning and nursery grounds.

The affected area supports moderate level of fisheries operation mainly conducted by sampans.  In view of the small size of the affected area, the impact on fishing activity is considered to be minor.

Not applicable

Minor

No

Temporary

Approximately 62 ha of fishing ground and fisheries habitat would be temporarily lost due to confinement of marine works area and barging points.

No

Disruption of fish culture activity

Temporary

Not applicable

Since there is no direct loss of fish culture zone nor is there any restricted access to it during the construction phase, the impact on aquaculture production is considered to be insignificant.

Not applicable

Not applicable

Since there is no direct loss of fish culture zone nor is there any restricted access to it, the impact on aquaculture activity is considered to be insignificant.

Insignificant

No

Deterioration of water quality due to marine and land-based construction works

Temporary

Localised to the immediate vicinity of the works area.  Marine water quality impacts due to sewage effluent generated by the workforce, accidental spillage of chemicals and other land-based construction works in proximity to marine waters would be minimal with the implementation of standard pollution control measures, practical precautionary measures and good site practice.

Since no exceedance of the respective WQOs is anticipated at all the sensitive receivers with suggested measures, the impact on loss of fisheries resources and production is considered to be insignificant.

Since there is no spawning grounds and nursery areas within the assessment area, there is no impact on destruction and disturbance of important spawning and nursery grounds.

Not applicable

Since no exceedance of the respective WQOs is anticipated at all the sensitive receivers with suggested measures, the impact on aquaculture activity is considered to be insignificant.

Insignificant

No specific measures for fisheries are required. Water quality mitigation measures would minimise the impacts.

Underwater sound generated from marine construction activities

Temporary

Localised to the immediate vicinity of travelling works vessels and operation of underwater equipment.

Given that the marine traffic associated with construction activities and the piling works are localised, and that the fish in these waters are tolerant to a relatively high background level of underwater sound, the impact on loss of fisheries resources and production is considered to be insignificant.

Since there is no spawning grounds and nursery areas within the assessment area, there is no impact on destruction and disturbance of important spawning and nursery grounds.

Not applicable

Given that the marine traffic associated with construction activities and the piling works are localized, and that the fish in these waters are tolerant to a relatively high background level of underwater sound, the impact on aquaculture activity is considered to be insignificant.

Insignificant

No

Operational Phase

Loss of fishing ground and fisheries habitat due to reclamation and piling works

Permanent

Approximately 19.9 ha of fishing ground and fisheries habitat would be permanently lost due to the proposed reclamation and piling works.

The total permanent loss of fishing ground and fisheries habitat is considered to be a minor proportion of the marine waters in Hong Kong available for fishing with moderate production.  Therefore, the impact from the loss of fishing ground and fisheries habitat is considered to be minor.

Since there is no spawning grounds and nursery areas within the assessment area, there is no impact on destruction and disturbance of important spawning and nursery grounds.

The affected area supports moderate level of fisheries operation mainly conducted by sampans. In view of the small size of the affected area, the impact on fishing activity is considered to be minor.

Not applicable

Minor

No

Change in hydrodynamics induced by the footprint of the superstructures

Permanent

Localised to the immediate vicinity of the newly reclaimed land / piling structure.

Since the modelling results indicated that the reclamation works would not significantly alter the hydrodynamic regime of the adjacent waters, the impact on loss of fisheries resources and production is considered to be insignificant. 

 

Since there is no spawning grounds and nursery areas within the assessment area, there is no impact on destruction and disturbance of important spawning and nursery grounds.

Since the modelling results indicated that the reclamation works would not significantly alter the hydrodynamic regime of the adjacent waters, the impact on fishing activity is considered to be insignificant.

Since the modelling results indicated that the reclamation works would not significantly alter the hydrodynamic regime of the adjacent waters, the impact on aquaculture activity is considered to be insignificant.

Insignificant

No

Deterioration of water quality due to surface runoff

Temporary

Localised to the immediate vicinity of the newly reclaimed land / piling structure.

Given the potential deterioration of marine water quality is localized and with the incorporation of adequate mitigation measures, the impact on loss of fisheries resources and production is considered to be insignificant. 

Since there is no spawning grounds and nursery areas within the assessment area, there is no impact on destruction and disturbance of important spawning and nursery grounds.

Not applicable 

Given the potential deterioration of marine water quality is localized and with the incorporation of adequate mitigation measures, the impact on aquaculture activity is considered to be insignificant.

Insignificant

No specific measures for fisheries are required. Water quality mitigation measures would minimise the impacts.


9.6              Cumulative Impacts

9.6.1.1     Concurrent projects in the vicinity of the Project site are identified.  The status of these concurrent projects is based on the available information obtained during the course of the EIA Study.  It should be noted that the implementation of individual project would be subject to further development and subsequent actions of the respective project proponent.  A list of the tentative concurrent projects identified at the time of this EIA study that potentially contribute to cumulative impacts in fisheries is provided below:

·        Route 11 (Section between Yuen Long and North Lantau);

·        Reclamation for Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands (KYCAI);

·        Hong Kong Island West - Northeast Lantau Link (HKIW-NEL Link);

·        Road P1 (Tai Ho – Sunny Bay Section), Lantau; and

·        Sunny Bay Development

9.6.1.2     The extent of disturbance of the Project is expected to be relatively small and confined to localised works at the reclamation areas, including permanent loss of about 19.9 ha for the footprint of the reclamation areas and pile-supported VIPS, as well as temporary loss of about 62 ha for the marine works area.  The Route 11 which connects with the Project in Northeast Lantau is anticipated to result in 4.1 ha and 13 ha of permanent and temporary fishing ground loss between the waters of Tsing Lung Tau and Northeast Lantau.  The Reclamation for KYCAI is expected to span about 1,000 ha to the east of Lantau Island.  The proposed HKIW-NEL Link, connecting with the Project and Hong Kong Island, is still under planning and expected to require reclamation (temporary and/or permanent) works more than 5 ha in size at the landing points.  The Road P1, connecting with the Project and extending along North Lantau to Tai Ho, is also under planning and expected to involve reclamation works covering about 15 ha between Tai Ho Interchange and Sham Shui Kok.  The Sunny Bay Development in Northeast Lantau is currently in planning stage and expected to involve a reclamation area of approximately 80 ha.    Considering that the reclamation and marine works of the Project would only be a minor contributor to the loss of fishing ground and fisheries habitat among all concurrent projects, and given that the potential impact of fishing ground and fisheries habitat loss due to the Project is considered minor, it is not expected to exert an unacceptable cumulative impact.

9.6.1.3     While the marine works and marine traffic of this Project might coincide with the concurrent projects, it is anticipated to involve a relatively small number of marine work vessels operating simultaneously in the works area, and the frequency/trip of work vessels would also be low.  Moreover, the marine works vessels of this Project are expected to operate in localised waters between the works area and the two barging points at Tai Chuen of North Lantau and Northwest Tsing Yi next to the Tsing Ma Bridge only.  It is estimated that the peak daily number of trips by marine works vessels for this Project would be about 30 between the works area and barging points (depending on the marine works demand).  Considering that the waters off Northeast Lantau are exposed to relatively high levels of marine traffic, particularly around the Ma Wan Fairway, the cumulative impacts of marine traffic disturbance on nearby fishing operations and fisheries resources, if any, are anticipated to be insignificant.

9.6.1.4     The potential cumulative water quality impacts from concurrent projects during construction and operational phases, if any, are assessed in Section 5.

9.7              Mitigation of Adverse Environmental Impacts

9.7.1.1     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 as 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: The loss of fisheries resources and habitats and aquaculture sites, if assessed to be significant, shall be compensated by measures such as enhancement of fisheries resources and habitats and re-provisioning of aquaculture sites.

9.7.2         Considerations for Impact Avoidance

9.7.2.1     No FCZs will be directly impacted by the Project.  Moreover, the Project is not located in waters of high levels of fishing operation or high fisheries production or fish fry collection.  It is also away from other sites of fisheries importance such as ARs and spawning ground of commercial fisheries resources in Northeast Lantau.

9.7.3         Considerations for Impact Minimisation

9.7.3.1     The preferred alignment selected in the previous feasibility study and presented in the Project Profile included land reclamation in North Lantau, Ma Wan and Tsing Yi.  Further to the refinement on the preferred alignment, the extent of the proposed reclamation works for the Project has been further reviewed to minimise the footprints of the proposed reclaimed area with due consideration on the engineering, environmental and port operation aspects.  To protect the deflection pier at North Lantau, a pile-supported VIPS is proposed to be adopted in the area of existing shoreline.  The VIPS structure will be supported by piles with a superstructure and hanger slab to protect the pier from vessel impact, thus reclamation is no longer required at North Lantau.

9.7.3.2     The extent of reclamation and dredging at Ma Wan and Tsing Yi has also been minimised as far as practicable to reduce the loss of fishing ground and fisheries habitat.  One land anchorage is technically required for each of the two proposed suspension bridges.  During the course of design consideration for the Project, marine anchorages in Ma Wan are combined into a single common anchorage.  This approach reduces the material required for anchorage construction and minimises excavation works.  As a result, both the environmental impact of material excavation and disturbances to the fisheries habitat and fisheries resources are reduced.  Furthermore, the combination of anchorages can reduce the overall reclamation area at Ma Wan.  This reduction of reclamation area would reduce the total amount of dredged sediments, hence reducing the associated water quality impacts during the construction phase.  The extent of channel narrowing at both Ma Wan Fairway and Kap Shui Mun Fairway are also reduced, hence reducing the change in hydrodynamic regime under operational phase.

9.7.3.3     Some marine construction methods such as underwater blasting can have significant impacts on fisheries resources, and hence will be avoided in this Project.  Although dredging is considered less harmful as underwater blasting, it still has the potential to cause destruction and disturbance to fisheries resources.  Therefore, non-dredged reclamation methods, including DCM and jet grouting for ground treatment, will be adopted whenever practicable.  Utilizing non-dredge methods instead of conventional seabed dredging will significantly decrease the release of suspended solids and contaminants into water bodies.  However, it should be noted that the non-dredged methods may not be practical from an engineering perspective.  In cases where dredging is unavoidable, efforts have been made to minimise the extent of dredging.  DCM is proposed to be adopted as the primary ground treatment works supporting the proposed bridge tower and anchorage structures.  Dredging of soft clay is proposed in localised areas with thin layers of marine deposits, where the DCM method is considered inefficient for ground treatment in such conditions.

9.7.3.4     Water quality mitigation measures should be implemented during the construction phase.  The mitigation measures cover the potential water quality impacts from marine based construction works including reclamation works and piling works, and land-based construction works including construction site runoff, wastewater discharges from general construction activities, sewage from workforce and accidental spillage of chemicals.  With the implementation of the water quality mitigation measures stated in Section 5, no adverse fisheries impact is anticipated and no fisheries-specific mitigation measure is required. 

9.7.3.5     Besides the adoption of the water quality mitigation measures to control the non-point source surface runoff, no fisheries-specific mitigation measure is required during the operational phase of the Project.

9.7.4         Evaluation of Residual Impacts

9.7.4.1     Upon completion of the Project, the residual impacts would be the permanent loss of approximately 19.9 ha of fishing ground and fisheries habitat, constituting an insignificant portion of the marine waters in Hong Kong available for fishing.  The implementation of the water quality mitigation measures during construction and operational phases is expected to further minimise impacts on fisheries caused by the deterioration of water quality.  Therefore, no adverse residual impact due to the proposed works is expected.

9.8              Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements

9.8.1.1     With the implementation of water quality mitigation measures during construction and operational phases, no adverse impact on fisheries is anticipated, thus fisheries-specific monitoring is considered not necessary.  Water quality monitoring should be undertaken between the project area and Ma Wan FCZ to avoid any deterioration of water quality due to the construction works.  Details of the water quality monitoring requirements are provided in the water quality section of the EM&A Manual.

9.9              Conclusion

9.9.1.1     The fisheries impact assessment has been conducted based on the information gathered from literature review and the 12-month field surveys.  The results showed that the assessment area is utilised by moderate number of fishing vessels, predominantly sampans, with a fisheries production at moderate level.  The production mainly comprises non-commercially targeted and low-valued species.  The nearest spawning ground of commercial fisheries resources located in the Northeast Lantau and AR deployment site at BMP are situated far away from the Project, while the Ma Wan FCZ was identified within the assessment area.

9.9.1.2     The proposed reclamation works and pile-supported VIPS for the Project would result in permanent loss of about 19.9 ha and temporary loss of about 62 ha of fishing ground and fisheries habitat.  Since the loss only constitute a minor proportion of the marine waters in Hong Kong available for fishing, impacts to capture fisheries due to loss of fishing ground and disruption of fisheries operation are expected to be minor.  No direct impact to Ma Wan FCZ is anticipated since the works area will be kept at a distance from the FCZ.  Potential impacts of elevated levels of underwater sound are also not expected to be unacceptable.  The Project would not significantly alter the local hydrodynamics regime and hence the change in hydrodynamics is considered to be insignificant.  Furthermore, no unacceptable water quality impacts to fisheries resources and fisheries sensitive receivers (including Ma Wan FCZ) during the construction and operational phases are expected with adoption of non-dredged reclamation such as DCM for most of the reclamation works except in localised areas with thin marine deposits where dredging is recommended), in additional to the provision of adequate water quality mitigation measures such as installation of silt curtain and good site practices during construction phase and provision of proper drainage system during operational phase, and implementation of water quality monitoring during construction phase, it is expected that no adverse residual impacts associated with change of water quality would arise and hence no fisheries-specific monitoring is necessary.


 

9.10           References

114E HK Reef Fish 2024.  White-spotted spinefoot.  https://www.114ehkreeffish.org/reef-fish/white-spotted-spinefoot-mottled-spinefoot/?lang=en

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) 2022.  Port Survey 2021.  https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_cap/fish_cap_latest/files/common/PS2021Report_ENG.pdf

AFCD 2023a.  Hong Kong Artificial Reef Project.

https://www.artificial-reef.net/en/web/ar/home

AFCD 2024a. Capture Fisheries – Latest Status.  https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_cap/fish_cap_latest/fish_cap_latest.html

AFCD 2024b. Marine Fish Culture, Pond Fish Culture and Oyster Culture.  https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_aqu/fish_aqu_mpo/fish_aqu_mpo.html

Arup 2023.  EIA Study for Route 11 (Section between Yuen Long and North Lantau).

 

CCPC 2001.  Agreement No. CE 62/98 – Consultancy Study on Fisheries and Marine Ecological Criteria for Impact Assessment.  Prepared for AFCD, HKSAR Government.

Environmental Protection Department (EPD) 2021.  Marine Water Quality Monitoring in Hong Kong.  https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/water/hkwqrc/waterquality/marine-1.html

ERM 1998.  Fisheries Resources and Fishing Operations in Hong Kong Waters.

 

ERM 2022.  EIA Study for New Contaminated Sediment Disposal Facility to the West of Lamma Island.

 

Fish Marketing Organization (FMO).  2024.  Annual Report 2022/23.  https://www.fmo.org.hk/uploads/FMO%20Annual%20report%202022-23%20-%20(2.5mb%20version).pdf

 

Hsu, T. H., Adiputra, Y. T., Burridge, C. P., and Gwo, J. C. 2011.  Two spinefoot colour morphs: Mottled spinefoot Siganus fuscescens and whitespotted spinefoot Siganus canaliculatus are synonyms.  Journal of Fish Biology, 79(5), 1350-1355.

 

Mak K.Y. 2017.  Effects of the trawl ban on demersal fish communities in the marine environment of Hong Kong, South China.  PhD Thesis, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

 

Mott MacDonald 2014.  EIA Study for Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System.

 

Sadovy Y. and Cornish A.S. 2000.  Reef Fishes of Hong Kong.  Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.  321 pp.

 

South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute (SCSFRI) 2017.  Report on Survey of Fisheries Resources in Hong Kong (2010-2015).  Prepared for AFCD, HKSAR Government.