9                   Fisheries Impact Assessment

9.1              Introduction

9.1.1        This Section of the EIA Report presents the findings of a desk-top assessment and focused field surveys of the impacts of the construction and operation of the developments proposed under the Draft RODP of NLDFS on existing fisheries resources, fishing operations and fish culture activities.  The NLDFS EIA will comprise Schedule 3 level coverage of the cumulative environmental impacts arising from all of the proposed developments in Northeast Lantau and will broadly cover the findings of the EIA for the Theme Park and its associated developments, the Chok Kwo Wan Link Road, although part of the NLDFS is assessed in detail, and the Route 10 EIA is included to assess cumulative fishing ground loss.

9.1.2        The objectives of the assessment are as follows:

·                      to establish the importance to Hong Kong's fisheries of the habitats which may be affected by the construction and operation of the proposed NLDFS developments;

 

·                      to identify fisheries sensitive receivers;

 

·                      to assess the scale of potential impacts to fisheries from the works associated with the construction and operation of the proposed NLDFS developments, and identify any significant or unacceptable impacts;

 

·                      to identify any mitigation measures and residual impacts; and

 

·                      to assess the need for a fisheries monitoring and audit programme.

 

9.2              Statutory Requirements and Evaluation Criteria

9.2.1        The criteria for evaluating fisheries impacts are laid out in the EIAO TM.  Annex 17 of the EIAO TM prescribes the general approach and methodology for assessment of fisheries impacts arising from a project or proposal, to allow a complete and objective identification, prediction and evaluation of the potential fisheries impacts.  EIAO TM Annex 9 recommends the criteria that can be used for evaluating fisheries impacts.

9.2.2        Other legislation which applies to fisheries includes:

·       the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap 171) 1987 which provides for the conservation of fish and other aquatic life and regulates fishing practices; and

 

·       Marine Fish Culture Ordinance (Cap 353) 1983 regulates and protects marine fish culture and other related activities.

 

Ex gratia Arrangements

Capture Fisheries

9.2.3        Fishermen do not have legal ownership of the water they habitually fish.  They are, therefore, not entitled to any statutory compensation for loss of fishing grounds.  However, according to existing policy, fishermen affected by reclamation or development projects may be granted ex gratia allowances subject to certain eligibility criteria.  Since 1993, ex gratia allowances have been based on the notional value of three years fish catch in the gazetted works area for the proposed project under the Foreshore and Seabed (Reclamations) Ordinance (Cap 127), and should be applied to all dredging and dumping projects.  Such ex gratia allowances serve as allowances for a permanent loss of fishing grounds and are aimed at assisting the affected fishermen in relocating their activities to other fishing grounds or to move into another industry.

Culture Fisheries

9.2.4        Ex gratia arrangements for mariculturists affected by dredging or dumping projects were approved in July 1993.  If, at any one time, the suspended solids concentration exceeds 50 mg L^-1 or exceeds by 100% the highest level recorded at the Fish Culture Zone (FCZ) during the five years before commencement of works in the vicinity, mariculturists are eligible for ex gratia allowance payments.  Should ex gratia payments be triggered the eligible mariculturists may then opt to:

·                      continue mariculture in the same place at their own risk, in which case they would be eligible for an ex gratia allowance equivalent to 50 % of the normal two-year fish culture cycle; or

 

·                      suspend mariculture operations for two years, in which case they would be eligible for an ex gratia equivalent to the notional loss of income for a normal two-year fish cycle; or

 

·                      cease mariculture operations permanently, in which case they would receive the existing ex gratia allowance payable for extinguishment, which contains elements for the notional loss of income for two years and the loss of capital investment in rafts and cages.

 

9.3              Existing Environment and Fisheries Sensitive Receivers

9.3.1        The Study Area for the Fisheries Impact Assessment is presented on Figure 9.2a and is the same as that used in the Marine Ecology Impact Assessment.  Included in the area are 13 AFCD Fishing Zones within the North Western Western, Southern and Buffer Water Control Zones (WCZs).  On the basis of preliminary information from the water quality assessment (Section 5), perturbations to water quality are unlikely to extend outside this area.  Consequently, this assessment of impacts has focused on the fisheries resources of this area. 

9.3.2        In Hong Kong, the commercial marine fishing industry is divided into capture and culture fisheries.  To assess the capture fishery within the Study Area, the most up-to-date information on the Hong Kong fishery was consulted^([1]).  Information from other relevant studies within the Study Area were also reviewed in order to determine if the areas are important nursery and spawning grounds for commercial fisheries⁽²⁾.  Updated mariculture information was obtained from AFCD and represented the situation as of 31 January 2000. 

Capture Fisheries

9.3.3        In 1997, the estimated fisheries production in Hong Kong waters from both capture and culture fisheries amounted to 186,000 tonnes, valued at HK$ 2,459 million ^([3]).  Capture fisheries accounted for 96 % by weight of the total production while the remaining 4 % corresponded to the culture sectors of the industry.  Within Hong Kong waters, the highest yields for local fisheries were mainly derived from the eastern and north-eastern coasts ^([4]).  The five most abundant fish species landed by weight from the capture sector were golden thread (Nemipterus virgatus 14%), lizardfish (Saurida sp 9%), big-eyes (Priacanthus sp 5%), scads (Decapterus sp 5%) and yellow belly (Nemipterus bathybius 4%).

9.3.4        In 1989-91 AFCD devised a system whereby the waters of Hong Kong were divided up into Fishing Zones.  Data was gathered at that time on the catches of the Hong Kong fleet derived from these Fishing Zones⁽⁵⁾.  Since this first Hong Kong wide survey, AFCD have updated the information which now indicates that the number of Fishing Zones equates to 189 of which 179 are actively fished by vessels in the Hong Kong fleet.

9.3.5        During 1996 - 1997 a Port Survey⁽⁶⁾ was conducted which involved interviews with fishermen to assess capture fishing operations in Hong Kong waters by vessels in the Hong Kong fishing fleet.  This information can be used to assess Project impacts to fisheries.  Although the Study Area contains portions of thirteen AFCD Fishing Zones only five will be directly impacted by the reclamations associated with the NLDFS, these include Sham Shui Kok (002 2), Yam O (0023), Tsing Chau Tsai (0024), Fa Peng (0001) and Pa Tau Kwu (0002).  In comparison with other parts of Hong Kong these fishing zones show a low to medium-high ranking for fisheries production (kg ha^-1). The main fishing operations from these areas are small scale vessels operating gill nets, hand lines and long lines.  These vessels originate from three of the home ports in Hong Kong (Silvermine Bay, Ma Wan and Peng Chau) (Table 9.3a).

9.3.6        Out of the 189 fishing zones in Hong Kong that reported catches, Fa Peng is ranked 131 and Pa Tau Kwu 149 and are thus regarded as of low ranking.  Sham Shui Kok, Yam O and Tsing Chau Tsai fishing zones ranked 89, 82 and 39, respectively, and are therefore of medium-high importance to local fishery industry.  A fish fry value of 45 tails ha^-1 (ranked 46) has also been reported for the Tsing Chau Tsai Fishing Zone.  No fish fry catches were reported in the AFCD 1996-1997 Port Survey Report for the affected fishing zones at Fa Peng, Pa Tau Kwu, Yam O and Sham Shui Kok (Table 9.3b). 

9.3.7        Of the other fishing zones in the Study Area the more important ones that rank as of high fisheries production are Ma Wan, Peng Chau and Tsing Lung Tau.  Fish fry capture activities were reported from Ma Wan, Kau Yi Chau and Tsing Lung Tau.  However, none of these four zones can be regarded as important areas for fry production.  The main fish species reported in catches from the North Lantau area are of low commercial value including, mantis shrimp, mixed species (juveniles of trash fish species such as pony fish, scad, rabbitfish and sardine), croaker, crabs and sole (Table 9.3c).  Species of medium value are reported from the area those being sea breams, conger pike eel, shrimp scad and hairtail.

9.3.8        Recent construction works for the Airport Core Programme projects, such as the North Lantau Development and North Lantau Highway, are likely to have caused disturbance to previously existing fisheries habitat in the area.  These disturbances may have led to a reduction in the importance of the North Lantau coastline as a nursery area.  The main commercial fisheries in the vicinity of North Lantau are shrimp trawling and purse seining for migratory croaker.  Fish species can move away from the temporarily affected areas, while the shrimp are very prolific, having remained in the area despite disturbance from recent marine construction works in the area.  In addition, as the water quality is generally poor due to the influence of the waters of the western harbour area and SSDS Stage I outfall discharges^([7]), fisheries resources in the waters of eastern Lantau may have been adversely impacted.

9.3.9        All fish and macro-invertebrate species recorded in a trawl survey undertaken in the South Tsing Yi area as part of the EIA for Backfilling of South Tsing Yi and North Lantau were commonly found in the coastal waters of Hong Kong.  Their numbers and abundances were low.  Key fisheries resources consist of rocky substrate around Ma Wan which provides important fisheries habitat and potential fish fry nursery areas along the east Lantau coast.  Results of a 12-month fishery survey initiated in August 1995 around Penny's Bay⁽⁸⁾ indicated that the fisheries resources in the area are generally in a poor state as indicated by the low numbers collected per unit of fishing effort, the extremely low encounter rate for large schools of the dominant pelagic fish, and the undersized nature of the catch.  The cause of this poor state of the resource was attributed by the authors to a combination of overfishing and habitat degradation from pollution and disturbance (dredging and dumping).

Table 9.3a - Area (Ha) and Number of Vessels Operating During 1996 - 1997 in Each AFCD Fishing Zone within the Study Area

Code	Fishery Area	Area (Ha)	Vessels < 15 m	Vessels > 15 m	All Vessels
0001	Fa Peng	297	45	3	48
0002	Pa Tau Kwu	815	63	4	67
0003	Penny's Bay	278	62	1	63
0004	Discovery Bay	354	66	3	69
0005	Tai Shui Hang	202	37	3	40
0022	Sham Shui Kok	532	136	15	151
0023	Yam O	530	116	8	124
0024	Tsing Chau Tsai	170	160	0	160
0025	Ma Wan	419	254	0	254
0027	Peng Chau	542	198	16	213
0028	Kau Yi Chau	1,621	279	16	295
0038	Tsing Lung Tau	219	130	0	130
0039	Tai Lam Chung	370	20	2	23
Total		6,349	*	*	*
Total of all Fishing Zones in Hong Kong		181,791	2,352	266	2,618
Percentage of Hong Kong Total		3.49%	*	*	*

 

*  No values can be calculated for these parameters from the information provided as it cannot be determined whether the vessels reported as operating within one zone are the same vessels that are reported for another zone.

Table 9.3b - Adult Catch (kg) and Fry Catch (tails) Displayed on a Total Production, Production (Ha^-1) and Rank (Ha^-1) Basis for the AFCD Fishing Zones in the Study Area

Code	Fishing Area	Total Production			Production (Ha-1)			Rank Production (Ha-1)
		Adult Fish (kg)	Fry (tails)		Adult Fish (kg)	Fry (tails)		Adult Fish	Fry
0001	Fa Peng	12,384	-		42	-		131/189	-
0002	Pa Tau Kwu	16,327	-		20	-		149/189	-
0003	Penny's Bay	11,447	-		41	-		133/189	-
0004	Discovery Bay	14,068	-		40	-		134/189	-
0005	Tai Shui Hang	6,870	-		34	-		140/189	-
0022	Sham Shui Kok	56,329	-		106	-		89/189	-
0023	Yam O	63,009	-		119	-		82/189	-
0024	Tsing Chau Tsai	38,943	7,661		229	44.98		39/189	46/89
0025	Ma Wan	81,988	7,661		196	18.29		48/189	68/89
0027	Peng Chau	239,029	-		441	-		17/189	-
0028	Kau Yi Chau	246,437	22,984		152	14.18		64/189	72/89
0038	Tsing Lung Tau	35,180	7,661		161	35.02		62/189	58/89
0039	Tai Lam Chung	7,908	-		21	-		148/189	-

 

Table 9.3c - Top Five Adult Fish (by weight) Caught in Each AFCD Fishing Zone within the waters of the Study Area

Code	Fishing Area	Top Five Fish Caught (by weight)		Commercial Value
		Species	Common Name
0001	Fa Peng	Muraenosox cinereus	Conger Pike Eel	Medium
		Mixed Species	Mixed Species	Low
		Sebasticus marmoratus	Rockfish	Low
		Platycephalus indicus	Flatfish	Low
		Oratosquilla spp	Mantis Shrimp	Low
0002	Pa Tau Kwu	Mixed Species	Mixed Species	Low
		Platycephalus indicus	Flatfish	Low
		Argyrosomus spp	Croaker	Low
		Cynoglossus spp	Sole	Low
		Oratosquilla spp	Mantis Shrimp	Low
0003	Penny's Bay	Mixed Species	Mixed Species	Low
		Argyrosomus spp	Croaker	Low
		Portunus pelagicus	Blue crab	Low
		Leiognathus brevirostris	Pony fish	Low
		Sparidae spp	Sea breams	Medium
0004	Discovery Bay	Mixed Species	Mixed Species	Low
		Portunus pelagicus	Blue crab	Low
		Argyrosomus spp	Croaker	Low
		Leiognathus brevirostris	Pony fish	Low
		Charybdis cruciata	Red crab	Low
0005	Tai Shui Hang	Leiognathus brevirostris	Pony fish	Low
		Charybdis cruciata	Red crab	Low
		Clupanodon punctatus	Gizzard shad	Low
		Portunus sanguinolentus	3-Spot crab	Low
		Metapenaeus affinis	Jinga shrimp	High
0022	Sham Shui Kok	Mixed Species	Mixed Species	Low
		Sebasticus marmoratus	Rockfish	Low
		Caranx kalla	Shrimp scad	Medium
		Argyrosomus spp	Croaker	Low
		Trichiurus haumela	Hairtail	Medium
0023	Yam O	Mixed Species	Mixed Species	Low
		Sebasticus marmoratus	Rockfish	Low
		Species	Common Name
		Clupanodon punctatus	Gizzard shad	Low
		Mugil affinis	Mullet	Low
		Sparidae spp	Sea breams	Medium
0024	Tsing Chau Tsai	Mixed Species	Mixed Species	Low
		Sebasticus marmoratus	Rockfish	Low
		Argyrosomus spp	Croaker	Low
		Muraenosox cinereus	Conger Pike Eel	Medium
		Sparidae spp	Sea breams	Medium
0025	Ma Wan	Siganus oramin	Rabbit fish	Low
		Sebasticus marmoratus	Rockfish	Low
		Mixed Species	Mixed Species	Low
		Argyrosomus spp	Croaker	Low
		Sparidae spp	Sea breams	Medium
0027	Peng Chau	Mixed Species	Mixed Species	Low
		Acetes spp	Silver shrimp	High
		Siganus oramin	Rabbit fish	Low
		Charybdis cruciata	Red crab	Low
		Johnius belengeri	Croaker	Low
0028	Kau Yi Chau	Mixed Species	Mixed Species	Low
		Acetes spp	Silver shrimp	High
		Siganus oramin	Rabbit fish	Low
		Argyrosomus spp	Croaker	Low
		Sardinella jussieu	Sardine	Low
0038	Tsing Lung Tau	Mixed Species	Mixed Species	Low
		Sebasticus marmoratus	Rockfish	Low
		Argyrosomus spp	Croaker	Low
		Siganus oramin	Rabbit fish	Low
		Acetes spp	Silver shrimp	High
0039	Tai Lam Chung	Acetes spp	Silver shrimp	High
		Muraenosox cinereus	Conger Pike Eel	Medium
		Mixed Species	Mixed Species	Low
		Sebasticus marmoratus	Rockfish	Low
		Argyrosomus spp	Croaker	Low
Note:  Mixed Species consists of juveniles of Carnax kalla, Siganus oramin, Sardinella spp, Leiognathus brevirostris and  Clupanodon punctatus.

 

Spawning & Nursery Habitats

9.3.10    As little is known about the commercial fishery spawning and nursery status of the Study Area, ichthyoplankton (fish eggs and larvae) sampling was included in the Study to assess the value of the Study Area as a nursery and spawning ground for commercial fisheries.  Due to the seasonal nature of juveniles of commercial fish species the trawling was conducted once in the wet season and once in the dry season to ensure that no species of importance were overlooked. 

9.3.11    Ichthyoplankton trawls, using a Rigosha conical plankton mesh net (mesh size 80 :m, length 60 cm, mouth diameter 12 cm) were conducted in the Study Area to quantitatively assess the abundance of juveniles, eggs and larvae of commercial fisheries species.  Four replicate 10 minute surface tows were conducted at each of the six sites (T1 - T6) shown on Figure 9.3a.  The ichthyoplankton samples were preserved in formalin for subsequent identification and enumeration⁽⁹⁾.

9.3.12    Wet Season Results:  The wet season plankton tows around the North Lantau area comprised a low quantity of ichthyoplankton (Table 9.3d).  Eggs, prelarvae and larvae of 6 identified species, including anchovy Anchoviella heteroloba, shrimp scad Caranx kalla, tongue sole Cynoglossus joyneri, mullet Liza tade, pony fish Leiognathus insidiator and lizard fish Saurida elongata, were recorded in the trawl samples collected on 24 September 1998.  The plankton tows from the northeast coast of Lantau (ie T3 and T4) were largely comprised of eggs of shrimp scad, tongue sole and pony fish.  Prelarvae and larvae of Leiognathus insidiator were also identified in the samples.  Species were more diverse at the other four trawl stations (ie T1, T2, T5 and T6) where eggs of Anchoviella heteroloba, Caranx kalla and Leiognathus insidiator were comparatively more abundant than the other species.  In general, T5 and T6 showed a higher ichthyoplankton abundance than the other sampling stations.  The species identified are pelagic and of low commercial value.

Table 9.3d - Composition of the Ichthyoplankton Trawls around Northeast Lantau during the Wet Season

Transect	Family	Species	Mean Abundance/10 min trawl
T1	Engraulidae	Anchoviella heteroloba	3.5 eggs
	Carangidae	Caranx kalla	8.8 eggs
	Cynoglossidae	Cynoglossus joyneri	1 egg
	Mugilidae	Liza tade	0.3 egg
	Leiognathidae	Leiognathus insidiator	1 egg
2
T2	Engraulidae	Anchoviella heteroloba	0.5 egg
	Carangidae	Caranx kalla	0.8 egg;  0.3 prelarva
	Cynoglossidae	Cynoglossus joyneri	0.3 egg;  0.3 prelarva
	Mugilidae	Liza tade	0.3 prelarva
	Leiognathidae	Leiognathus insidiator	0.3 egg;  0.5 prelarva
T3	Cynoglossidae	Cynoglossus joyneri	0.5 egg
	Leiognathidae	Leiognathus insidiator	0.3 prelarva;  0.3 larva
T4	Carangidae	Caranx kalla	0.8 egg
	Cynoglossidae	Cynoglossus joyneri	1 egg
	Leiognathidae	Leiognathus insidiator	1.5 eggs;  0.3 larva
T5	Engraulidae	Anchoviella heteroloba	6.5 eggs
	Carangidae	Caranx kalla	4.8 eggs
	Cynoglossidae	Cynoglossus joyneri	1.5 eggs
	Leiognathidae	Leiognathus insidiator	2.8 eggs
	Synodontidae	Saurida elongata	1 egg
T6	Engraulidae	Anchoviella heteroloba	12 eggs
	Carangidae	Caranx kalla	0.3 egg
	Cynoglossidae	Cynoglossus joyneri	3 eggs
	Mugilidae	Liza tade	1.3 eggs
	Leiognathidae	Leiognathus insidiator	4.8 eggs
		Leiognathus ruconius0.3 egg	0.3 egg

 

9.3.13         Dry Season Results:  During the dry season surveys (conducted on 5 February 1999), ichthyoplankton samples were largely comprised of eggs of sardine Sardinella nymphaea and larvae of sea bream Sparus latus.  As with the wet season results, ichthyoplankton abundances were higher in the trawl samples collected from stations T5 and T6.  One of the species identified (ie Sparus latus) during the dry season is of higher commercial value than those collected in the wet season (Table 9.3e).

Table 9.3e - Composition of the Ichthyoplankton Trawls around Northeast Lantau during the Dry Season

Transect	Family	Species	Mean Abundance/10 min trawl
T1	Clupeidae	Sardinella nymphaea nympAnchoviella heteroloba haea	2 eggs
2
T2	Clupeidae	Sardinella nymphaea nympAnchoviella heteroloba haea	2 eggs
T3	Sparidae	Sparus latus	0.3 larva
T4	Clupeidae	Sardinella nymphaea nympAnchoviella heteroloba haea	1.5 eggs
	Sparidae	Sparus latus	0.8 larva
T5	Clupeidae	Sardinella nymphaea nympAnchoviella heteroloba haea	3.8 eggs
T6	Clupeidae	Sardinella nymphaea nympAnchoviella heteroloba haea	3.8 eggs

9.3.14    The results of the present study indicated that the marine areas within the Study Area support low abundance of eggs and larvae of mainly low value commercial pelagic species.

Culture Fisheries

9.3.15    The closest AFCD designated FCZ to the Study Area is located at Ma Wan.  Information from the AFCD, indicates that the Ma Wan FCZ, as at 31 January 2000,  consists of 132 licensed rafts with a total licensed area of 14,557 m² (total gazetted area = 46,300 m²).  The annual production of fish reared in Hong Kong has dropped from 2,960 tonnes in 1997 to 1,200 tonnes in 1998 as a result of the red tide outbreak. In April 1998 widespread red tide algal blooms caused fish kills at many of the FCZs in Hong Kong.  The main species cultured in Hong Kong were the spotted grouper (Epinephelus chlorostigma), gold-lined seabream (Rhabdosargus sarba), mangrove snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) and the pompano (Trachinotus blochii). Identification of Sensitive Receivers

9.3.16    Based on the preceding review of the available information on the fisheries resources of the waters of the Study Area and its immediate vicinity, the only sensitive receiver which may be affected by the proposed works associated with the NLDFS has been identified as the Ma Wan FCZ.

Fisheries Importance

9.3.17    The importance of the fisheries within the Study Area is addressed based on the baseline information provided above.  The Fishing Zones within the Study Area, situated within the footprint of the NLDFS reclamation are characterised as generally of low value.  The catches from these zones are composed of juvenile mixed species which are used as fish feed in mariculture.  However, the size and subsequent value of the catches characterises these Fishing Zones as of low importance to the Hong Kong fishery.

9.3.18    The EIAO TM (Annex 9) states that nursery areas can be regarded as an important habitat type as they are critical to the regeneration and long term survival of many organisms and their populations.  The Study Area does not appear, from the literature reviewed and field surveys, to be an important spawning and nursery area for many commercially important species. 

9.4              Assessment Methodology

9.4.1        A desktop literature review and supporting field surveys, in both the wet and dry seasons, were conducted in order to establish the fisheries importance of the area within and surrounding the NLDFS Project Area.  Information from the water quality assessment was used to refine the size of the area under study as that potentially affected by perturbations to water quality parameters based on information from the water quality impact assessment (Section 5) (Figure 9.2a).  This area became the focus for this fisheries impact assessment.  The importance of potentially impacted fishing resources and fisheries operations identified within the Study Area were assessed using the EIAO TM.  The potential impacts due to the construction and operation of the NLDFS and associated developments were then assessed (following the EIAO TM Annex 17 guidelines) and the impacts evaluated (based on the criteria in EIAO TM Annex 9).

9.5              Identification of Environmental Impacts

9.5.1        Impacts associated with the NLDFS developments are divided into those occurring during the construction phase, and those in the operation phase.  Construction PhaseImpacts to fisheries resources and fishing operations arising from the construction may be divided into those arising from direct disturbance to the habitat and those arising from perturbations to key water quality parameters. 

Direct Impacts

9.5.2        Direct impacts to fisheries resources and fishing operations include habitat loss due to the dredging and reclamation associated with the proposed NLDFS.  The construction of the extension will lead to the permanent loss of portions of five AFCD fishing zones:39 ha of the Sham Shui Kok Fishing zone (7.3%) associated with the reclamation for the Siu Ho Wan residential development, promenade and special duty unit;52 ha of the Yam O Fishing zone (9.8%) associated with the reclamation for the Northshore developments;3 ha of the Tsing Chau Tsai Fishing zone (1.8%) associated with the reclamation for the Northshore developments;49 ha of the Fa Peng Fishing Zone (16.5%) associated with the Fa Peng reclamation; and,115 ha of the Pa Tau Kwu Fishing Zone (14.1%) associated with the Pa Tau Kwu Interchange (30 ha) and Theme Park Phase III Extension (85 ha) reclamations.

9.5.3        The total loss of fishing grounds is 258 ha.  It should be noted that as part of the Theme Park development a further 10 ha of the Yam O and 75 ha of the Pa Tau Kwu fishing zones will have been reclaimed representing cumulative losses of these two fishing zones of 9.8% and 23.3% respectively.  205 ha of the Penny’s Bay fishing zone (73.7%) will also be lost as a result of Theme Park development.  The Route 10 development will also cause the loss of 8.1 hectares of fishing grounds within the Fa Peng fishing zone,  The cumulative loss of this fishing zone as a result of the NLDFS and Route 10 is 19.2%.  The locations of the NLDFS, Route 109 and Theme Park reclamations are shown on Figure 9.5a . 

Indirect Impacts

9.5.4        Indirect impacts to fisheries resources and fishing operations during the construction phase include sediment release associated with the above construction projects.  Potential impacts to water quality from sediment release are listed below:

·                      increased concentrations of suspended solids (SS);

·                      a resulting decrease in DO concentrations; and

·                      an increase in nutrient concentrations in the water column.

 

9.5.5        The construction of the reclamations for the Northshore Lantau Development will involve dredging of the existing marine sediments along the line of the seawalls to provide suitable foundations and filling of the reclamations using sand and public fill.  The reclamations will be constructed using the drained method of construction, which means that the existing sea bed sediments under the reclamations will be left in place, except under the seawalls.  This construction method is more environmentally protective as its minimises dredging and hence perturbations to water quality and also reduces the amount of sediment required to be disposed at gazetted mud disposal sites.

9.5.6        Suspended Solids:  Suspended sediment fluxes occur naturally in the marine environment and consequently fish have evolved behavioural adaptations to tolerate increased SS loads, including clearing their gills by flushing water over them.  Where SS levels become excessive, fish will move to clearer waters.  Susceptibility generally decreases with age, with eggs the most vulnerable and the adults the least sensitive to effects from sediments.  Other factors such as the rate, season and duration of SS elevations will interact with life stage sensitivity to influence the type and extent of impact upon fish.

9.5.7        Dissolved Oxygen:  The relationships between SS and DO are complex, with increased SS in the water column combining with a number of other effects to reduce DO concentrations in the water column.  Elevated SS (and turbidity) reduces light penetration, lowers the rate of photosynthesis by phytoplankton (primary productivity) and thus lowers the rate of oxygen production in the water column.  Elevated SS can also cause increased energy retention from sunlight, resulting in higher temperatures, and thus the potential for lower oxygen levels as oxygen is more soluble in cold water.  This has a particularly adverse effect on the eggs and larvae of fish, as at these stages of development high levels of oxygen in the water are required for growth due to high metabolic rates.

9.5.8        Nutrients:  High levels of nutrients in seawater can cause rapid increases in phytoplankton often to the point where an algal bloom occurs.  An intense bloom of algae can lead to sharp decreases in the levels of dissolved oxygen in the water as dead algae fall through the water column and decompose on the bottom.  Anoxic conditions may result if DO concentrations are already low or are not replenished.  This may result in mortality to fish, especially juveniles, due to oxygen deprivation. 

9.5.9        The results of the water quality assessment examining dispersion of sediment plumes associated with the dredging and filling works for the reclamation have shown that the predicted maximum levels are localised to within and around the dredging works.  It is expected that the concentrations within the Study Area as a whole will be maintained at environmentally acceptable levels (compliant with the water quality objectives - WQOs see Section 5 for full details of the WQOs). Impacts to the sensitive receiver listed above are predicted, as a result of the construction of the NLDFS reclamations, to be within environmentally acceptable levels (as defined by compliance with the Water Quality Objectives - WQO for the area). 

9.5.10    Impacts to the Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone as a result of the construction and reclamation activities are unlikely to be severe as the increase in SS near the Ma Wan waters is expected to be small.  Elevations are predicted to be in the order of 0.4 mg L^-1 under the worse case scenario (Scenario 3) which are compliant with the WQO.  Reductions in DO as a consequence of SS elevations are anticipated to be small and compliant with the WQO.  Elevations in unionised ammonia as a result of construction activities are not predicted to exceed the WQO at Ma Wan FCZ.  It is noted that the background concentration for total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) exceeds the WQO.  However, as discussed in the water quality assessment (Section 5) the contribution of the NLDFS construction works to the non-compliance is negligible and not considered to be an adverse impact to water quality.  It is thus expected that unacceptable impacts to the capture and culture fisheries in the Study Area arising from these very small elevations in TIN will not occur. Therefore, severe impacts on the FCZ due to the proposed works are not expected to occur.  Due to the low severity of predicted impacts it is not expected that growth of fish in the Ma Wan FCZ will be affected by the construction activities associated with the NLDFS reclamations, nor will potential increases in fish mortalities occur as a result.

9.5.11    Introduction of environmental contaminants desorbed from suspended sediment particles can have damaging effects on fisheries resources.  As discussed in the water quality assessment contaminant release (specifically copper, arsenic and silver which are the only metals which exceed the LCEL sediment criteria standard) from dredging of contaminated sediments is not predicted to exceed environmental standards.  Consequently, unacceptable impacts to capture and culture fisheries resources from contaminant release during dredging are not predicted to occur.

Operation Phase

9.5.12    This section of the EIA discusses impacts from the proposed NLDFS developments operation phase.  Operational impacts to fisheries resources may occur through the following:

Hydrodynamic Regime

9.5.13    Impacts to fish culture operations at Ma Wan could potentially occur if the shape of the reclamations cause a change on the hydrodynamic regime of the East Lantau coastline.  Impacts of this nature could lead to decreased flushing and water exchange of an area.  Inadequate flushing could lead to reduction in dissolved oxygen (DO) an increase in nutrients and consequent impacts to fish culture operations and fish growth.  However, the hydrodynamic modelling has predicted that the reclamations for the NLDFS will have minimal effects on tidal discharges through major channel flows (Section 5). The hydrodynamic modelling has indicated that the reclamation on the northern shore of Lantau will have little effect on current speed although the flushing rate of Yam O Wan will be reduced.  The effect of the NLDFS and Container Terminal is a reduction in current speeds in Sze Pak Wan and Discovery Bay which will cause a slight increase in salinity.  Adverse water quality impacts to the FCZ at Ma Wan are not considered to be significant and, therefore, no unacceptable impacts to fish culture operation and fish culture are predicted to occur.

Stormwater Run-off and Drainage

9.5.14    During the operation of the NLDFS pollutants derived from sewage effluent and storm water will be discharged to the marine waters.  Sewage effluents from the NLDFS will be collected and transported to the Siu Ho Wan Sewage Treatment works via sub-surface sewerage pipelines.  The effluents will be treated at the Siu Ho Wan STW and discharged to the marine waters to the north of the STW via a submarine outfall.  In the future, during the operation of the NLDFS, the Siu Ho Wan STW will treat also effluents from the Chek Lap Kok airport, the Tung Chung and Tai Ho developments and Discovery Bay.  The increase in the treated effluent flows and loads from the NLDFS will have the potential to cause adverse impacts to water quality and subsequent impacts to fisheries resources.  Stormwater may contain contaminants, which would have the potential to cause adverse impacts to water quality and fisheries resources, most likely in the immediate vicinity of the discharge points due to the relatively low flow rates from culverts.

9.5.15    All discharges during the operational phase of the Project are required to comply with the Technical Memorandum for Effluents Discharged into Drainage and Sewerage Systems, Inland and Coastal Waters (TM) issued under Section 21 of the WPCO.  The TM defines discharge limits to different types of receiving waters.  Under the TM, effluents discharged into the drainage and sewerage systems, inshore and coastal waters of the WCZs are subject to pollutant concentration standards for particular discharge volumes.  Any new discharges within a WCZ are subject to licence conditions and the TM acts as a guideline for setting discharge standards for the licence.  It is anticipated that all discharges through surface run-off or drainage systems will be compliant with the TM.  Compliance with the TM will ensure that no adverse impacts will occur to capture of culture fisheries resources in the vicinity of the project.  Compliance is expected to be achieved according to the measures outlined in Section 5 of this EIA.  A precautionary measure of installing silt traps on all storm drains on the NLDFS and associated developments has been recommended in the water quality section (Section 5), which will additionally reduce any potential impacts to water quality and consequently also add as an additional mitigation measure for  impacts to fisheries resources.

9.6              Assessment of Environmental Impacts

9.6.1        From the information presented above, the fisheries impact associated with the construction and operation of the NLDFS and associated developments is considered to be low.  An evaluation of the impact in accordance with Annex 9 of the EIAO TM  is presented below.

9.6.2        Nature of impact:  Permanent impacts will occur as a result of loss of fishing grounds in the area to be reclaimed for the NLDFS reclamations.  Temporary impacts to pelagic and demersal fisheries resources as a result of minor perturbations to water quality are predicted to occur only in the vicinity of the reclamations.  Minor perturbations to water are predicted at the Ma Wan FCZ, however, these changes are compliant with the relevant WQOs.

9.6.3        Size of affected area:  The main areas affected by the construction of the NLDFS and associated developments are as follows:  39 ha of the Sham Shui Kok Fishing zone (7.3%) associated with the reclamation for the Siu Ho Wan residential development, promenade and special duty unit; 52 ha of the Yam O Fishing zone (9.8%) associated with the reclamation for the Northshore developments; 3 ha of the Tsing Chau Tsai Fishing zone (1.8%) associated with the reclamation for the Northshore developments; 49 ha of the Fa Peng Fishing Zone (16.5%) associated with the Fa Peng reclamation; 115 ha of the Pa Tau Kwu Fishing Zone (14.1%) associated with the Pa Tau Kwu Interchange (30 ha) and Theme Park Extension (85 ha) reclamations; and, the total loss of fishing grounds is 258 ha.  Sediment dispersed during construction of the NLDFS and associated developments will cause short term increases in suspended sediment (SS) levels close to the works activities but will not affect fisheries sensitive receivers.

9.6.4        Size of fisheries resources / production:  In comparison with other parts of Hong Kong two of the five affected fishing zones show a low ranking for fisheries production (Pa Tau Kwu 149 and Fa Peng 131), two show a medium ranking for fisheries production (Sham Shui Kok 89 and Yam O 82).  The Tsing Chau Tsai Fishing Zone is the least affected by the reclamation activities and is ranked as high for Hong Kong (39 out of 179).

9.6.5        Destruction and disturbance of nursery and spawning grounds:  No identified nursery and spawning grounds in the vicinity of the Project are predicted to be affected by the reclamation activities. 

9.6.6        Impact on fishing activity:  The areas to be reclaimed for separate NLFDS reclamations translate into the following losses of production;

·                      Fa Peng = 2,058 kg annually of fish catches;

·                      Pa Tau Kwu = 2,300 kg annually of fish catches;

·                      Sham Shui Kok = 4,134 kg annually of fish catches;

·                      Yam O = 6,200 kg annually of fish catches; and,

·                      Tsing Chau Tsai = 687 kg annually of fish catches.

 

9.6.7        This reduction equates to a total potential loss to the Hong Kong fishery of 15,379 kg annually of fish catches.  This equates to a 0.14% decrease in the value of the Hong Kong fishery and is regarded as low.  These permanent losses may be subject to claims for ex gratia allowances which are administered by the Planning and Lands Bureau.

Impact on aquaculture activity: 

9.6.8        The Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone is not predicted to be impacted by either SS elevations, DO depletions or nutrient elevations as a result of the construction of the NSLFDS.  The Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone is not predicted to be impacted by either SS elevations, DO depletions or nutrient elevations as a result of the operation of the NLDFS and its associated developments.  Operational discharges are expected to meet licence standards and consequently impacts to water quality and fisheries resources will be avoided.  Changes to the hydrodynamic regime are not expected to impact the water quality of the FCZ as current speeds are expected to be only minimally affected.

9.6.9        Mitigation of Adverse Environmental Impacts In accordance with the guidelines in the EIAO TM on fisheries impact assessment the general policy for mitigating impacts to fisheries, in order of priority, are avoidance, minimization and compensation.

9.6.10    Construction Impacts to fisheries resources and fishing operations have largely been avoided during construction through constraints on the works operations associated with the sand filling, public filling and dredging for the reclamation sites.  Full details of these constraints are presented in Section 5 - Water Quality.  The constraints were recommended in Section 5 to control water quality impacts to within acceptable levels, are also expected to control impacts to fisheries resources.  Hence, no fisheries-specific mitigation measures are required during construction.

9.6.11    Operation Impacts to fisheries resources and fishing operations have largely been avoided during operation of the NLDFS and its associated developments through compliance on discharge standards.  Compliance with the relevant discharge standards were recommended to control water quality impacts to within acceptable levels (Section 5), are also expected to control impacts to fisheries resources.  Hence, no fisheries-specific mitigation measures are required during operation.Residual Environmental ImpactsBased on the value to the fishery of the areas discussed in the previous sections and the specified mitigation requirements the residual impact (ie remaining after mitigation) can be determined.  Residual impact to fisheries resources and operations have been identified and are defined and evaluated below following the guidelines presented in Section 4.4.3 of the EIAO TM.

9.6.12    The identified residual impact occurring during the construction of the NLDFS reclamations is the permanent loss of the following fishing zones:39 ha of the Sham Shui Kok Fishing zone (7.3%) associated with the reclamation for the Siu Ho Wan residential development, promenade and special duty unit;52 ha of the Yam O Fishing zone (9.8%) associated with the reclamation for the Northshore developments;3 ha of the Tsing Chau Tsai Fishing zone (1.8%) associated with the reclamation for the Northshore developments;49 ha of the Fa Peng Fishing Zone (16.5%) associated with the Fa Peng reclamation; and,115 ha of the Pa Tau Kwu Fishing Zone (14.1%) associated with the Pa Tau Kwu Interchange (30 ha) and Theme Park Phase III Extension (85 ha) reclamations.

9.6.13    The total loss of fishing grounds is 258 ha.  It should be noted that as part of the Theme Park development a further 10 ha of the Yam O and 75 ha of the Pa Tau Kwu fishing zones will have been reclaimed representing cumulative losses of these two fishing zones of 9.8% and 23.3% respectively.  205 ha of the Penny’s Bay fishing zone (73.7%) will also be lost as a result of Theme Park development.  The Route 10 development will also cause the loss of 8.1 hectares of fishing grounds within the Fa Peng fishing zone,  The cumulative loss of this fishing zone as a result of the NLDFS and Route 10 is 19.2%.The loss of this part of these fishing grounds, although potentially detrimental to some fishermen is unlikely to cause a noticeable reduction in overall Hong Kong fish catches.  Although not implemented specifically to mitigate for the loss of fishing grounds, the provision of 11.3 km of rubble mound seawalls on the edges of the NLDFS reclamations on which more diverse and abundant ecological assemblages than present on the existing flat muddy seabed can colonise and grow, has the potential to provide habitat and shelter for juveniles or adult fisheries resources.  The enhancement effect of the seawalls should limit the impacts to some fishermen to individual economic losses and not adversely effect the fishery as a whole.

9.6.14    The combination of the small areas lost, the small-scale nature of fishing operations and the potential environmental benefits of the seawall combine to reduce the magnitude of this residual impact to acceptable levels.  It should be noted however, that permanent loss of fishing ground may be subject to claims for ex gratia allowances which are administered by the Planning and Lands Bureau.

9.6.15    Environmental Monitoring and Audit The dredging and filling operations include constraints which act as appropriate mitigation measures to control environmental impacts to within acceptable levels (Section 5).  Actual impacts of construction activities will be monitored through impacts to water quality (Section 5).  Monitoring and audit activities designed to detect and mitigate any unacceptable impacts to water quality will serve to protect against unacceptable impacts to fisheries resources.

9.6.16    The water quality monitoring programme will provide management actions and supplemental mitigation measures to be employed should impacts arise, thereby ensuring the environmental acceptability of the project.  As only minimal impacts to the fishery are predicted to occur, the development and implementation of a monitoring and audit programme specifically designed to assess the effects of the construction activities on commercial fisheries resources is not deemed necessary. Impacts of operational activities will be monitored through on-site monitoring of water quality parameters of the discharged waters.  Monitoring and audit activities designed to detect and mitigate any unacceptable impacts to water quality will serve to protect against unacceptable impacts to fisheries resources.

9.6.17    The discharge monitoring programme will provide management actions and supplemental mitigation measures to be employed should impacts arise, thereby ensuring the environmental acceptability of the Project.  As the predicted impacts to fisheries (both capture and culture) are small, aside from the monitoring programme for water quality, the development and implementation of a monitoring and audit programme specifically designed to assess the effects of operational activities on commercial fisheries resources is not deemed necessary.

9.7              Conclusions

9.7.1        A review of existing information on capture fisheries indicates that the adult fisheries resources in the marine areas close to the Study Area are in general low.  Adult capture fisheries resources are unlikely to be adversely impacted by the NLDFS projects as they will likely avoid the works areas.  Although impacts to fish fry may occur through the permanent loss of habitat and/or elevated suspended sediment levels as a result of the proposed reclamation works, these impacts have been deemed acceptable as these waters are not an important nursery area for commercial fisheries species.  Any impacts which are predicted can be mitigated through project design.  Any measures which are required to reduce impacts to water quality will also serve to protect against unacceptable impacts to capture fisheries resources.  In terms of residual impacts to capture fisheries, the combination of the small loss of fishing grounds and the low value to the Hong Kong fishery are expected to be compensated for by the potential environmental benefits of the proposed rubble mound seawalls.  Artificial Reefs have been recommended for deployment as an additional marine ecology and fisheries habitat enhancement measure.  As a result, the residual impacts to capture fisheries through the construction and operation of the NLDFS projects has been deemed acceptable.  In terms of impacts to the culture fisheries, the Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone (FCZ) is not predicted to be impacted by either suspended solids elevations, dissolved oxygen depletions or nutrient elevations as a result of the either the construction or operation.  Discharges comply with WPCO standards and any potential impacts to water quality and, therefore, culture fisheries resources at the FCZ, will be avoided.  Project changes to the hydrodynamic regime are not expected to impact the water quality of the FCZ as current speeds are expected to be only minimally affected.

Table 9.7a - Fisheries Impact Summary

Impact	Summary
Sensitive Receiver(s)	Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone
Assessment Criterion	Compliance with the relevant water quality objectives.
Fishing Ground Loss	The identified residual impact occurring during the construction of the NLDFS reclamations is the permanent loss of the following fishing zones:39 ha of the Sham Shui Kok Fishing zone (7.3%) associated with the reclamation for the Siu Ho Wan residential development, promenade and special duty unit;52 ha of the Yam O Fishing zone (9.8%) associated with the reclamation for the Northshore developments;3 ha of the Tsing Chau Tsai Fishing zone (1.8%) associated with the reclamation for the Northshore developments;4 9 ha of the Fa Peng Fishing Zone (16.5%) associated with the Fa Peng reclamation; and,115 ha of the Pa Tau Kwu Fishing Zone (14.1%) associated with the Pa Tau Kwu Interchange (30 ha) and Theme Park Phase III Extension (85 ha) reclamations.  The total loss of fishing grounds is 258 ha.  It should be noted that as part of the Theme Park development a further 10 ha of the Yam O and 75 ha of the Pa Tau Kwu fishing zones will have been reclaimed representing cumulative losses of these two fishing zones of 9.8% and 23.3% respectively.  205 ha of the Penny’s Bay fishing zone (73.7%) will also be lost as a result of Theme Park development.  The Route 10 development will also cause the loss of 8.1 hectares of fishing grounds within the Fa Peng fishing zone,  The cumulative loss of this fishing zone as a result of the NLDFS and Route 10 is 19.2%.
	The loss of this part of these fishing grounds, although potentially detrimental to some fishermen is unlikely to cause a noticeable reduction in overall Hong Kong fish catches.  Although not implemented specifically to mitigate for the loss of fishing grounds, the provision of 11.3 km of rubble mound seawalls on the edges of the NLDFS reclamations on which more diverse and abundant ecological assemblages than present on the existing flat muddy seabed can colonise and grow, has the potential to provide habitat and shelter for juveniles or adult fisheries resources.  The enhancement effect of the seawalls should limit the impacts to some fishermen to individual economic losses and not adversely effect the fishery as a whole.  The combination of the small areas lost, the small-scale nature of fishing operations and the potential environmental benefits of the seawall combine to reduce the magnitude of this residual impact to acceptable levels.  It should be noted however, that permanent loss of fishing ground may be subject to claims for ex gratia allowances which are administered by the Planning and Lands Bureau.
Culture Fisheries	The Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone is not predicted to be impacted by either SS elevations, DO depletions or nutrient elevations as a result of the construction of the NSLFDS.  The Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone is not predicted to be impacted by either SS elevations, DO depletions or nutrient elevations as a result of the operation of the NLDFS and its associated developments.  Operational discharges are expected to meet licence standards and consequently impacts to water quality and fisheries resources will be avoided.  Changes to the hydrodynamic regime are not expected to impact the water quality of the FCZ as current speeds are expected to be only minimally affected.