5.
FISHERIES IMPACT ASSESSMENT
5.1.1
The Fisheries Impact Assessment comprises three major parts:
establishment of baseline conditions, evaluation and assessment of fisheries impact following the criteria and
guidelines of Annexes 9 and 17 of the EIAO-TM, and recommendations of
mitigation measures where necessary.
5.1.2
Key
issues of the Fisheries Impact Assessment, as stipulated in Section 3.4.3.2 of
the EIA study brief, include but not be limited to:
·
Fishing activities;
·
Fish spawning and nursery grounds within the
assessment area; and
·
Cheung Sha Wan Fish Culture Zone (FCZ).
5.1.3
The
assessment covers potential impacts on both capture and culture fisheries
during the construction and operation of the Project.
5.1.4
The Fisheries Impact Assessment includes the following:
·
description of the physical environmental
background;
·
description and quantification as far as
practicable of the existing capture and culture fisheries activities;
·
description and quantification as far as
practicable of the existing fisheries resources (e.g. major fisheries products
and stocks);
·
identification of parameters (e.g. water quality
parameters) and areas that will be affected;
·
identification and evaluation of any direct and
indirect, onsite and offsite impacts on capture fisheries such as loss or
disturbance of fishing grounds, spawning and nursery grounds and disruption of
fishing activities;
·
identification and evaluation of any direct and
indirect, onsite and offsite impacts on culture fisheries such as water quality
deterioration in fish culture zone;
·
recommendations on any environmental mitigation
measures with justification, description of scope and programme, feasibility as
well as staff and financial implications including those related to subsequent
management and maintenance requirements of such recommendations; and
·
review of the need for monitoring and, if
necessary, recommendation of monitoring and auditing programme.
5.2.1
HKSAR
Ordinances and Regulations which are relevant to this study include the
following:
·
EIA
Ordinance (Cap. 499) and the associated Technical Memorandum on EIA Process
(EIAO-TM) in particular Annexes 9 and 17;
·
Fisheries
Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171) and its subsidiary legislation, the Fisheries
Protection Regulations;
·
Marine
Fish Culture Ordinance (Cap. 353) and associated subsidiary legislation; and
·
Water
Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap. 358) and its subsidiary regulations.
5.3.1
In
accordance with the EIA study brief, the assessment area generally covers the
Southern Water Control Zone (WCZ) and includes any other areas likely to be
impacted by the Project. For the purpose of Fisheries Impact Assessment,
special attention has been given to the fishing activities, the fish spawning
and nursery grounds and the Cheung Sha Wan FCZ (Figure 5.1) within the assessment area.
5.4
Methodology for Baseline
Establishment and Assessment
5.4.1
Baseline
information on the assessment area was reviewed. A review of Government and
private sector reports, independent Government published literature and
academic studies was undertaken to determine the existing conditions of
fisheries in the assessment area, and to identify practices, areas and species
of potential fisheries importance which may be affected by the Project. This review included but was not limited to
the following:
·
Port
Survey 2006;
·
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
(AFCD) annual reports and website; and
·
Other relevant reports from private sectors or
Government.
5.4.2
Port Survey is the most comprehensive fisheries study conduced by AFCD
every few years. Different from the
approach adopted in previous Port Surveys in which Hong Kong waters were
divided into “Fishing Areas” of various sizes, a uniform grid was overlaid on
5.4.3
AFCD’s annual reports and website provide the most updated
information on the development and trend in
5.4.4
The validity of the information compiled during the literature review
has been assessed before being adopted for the present EIA study.
5.4.5
Impacts are assessed in the absence of mitigation. The construction and
operational phase impacts on capture fisheries and mariculture have been
assessed individually, then cumulatively, in combination with other existing,
committed and proposed developments.
5.5
Baseline Conditions
5.5.1
In
Capture Fisheries
5.5.2
The
Port Survey consisted of an interview programme. About 36% of the local fishing fleet which
accounted for all homeports (i.e. places at which local fishing vessels are
based) and vessel types was interviewed.
During the interviews, particulars (e.g. vessel length, type and its
homeport) of the fishing vessels were recorded and information about their
fishing operations and fisheries production in
5.5.3
Recent
detailed data on HKSAR capture fisheries in the fisheries assessment area were
taken from the latest Port Survey 2006. In this report a uniform grid of
5.5.4
In
2008, capture fisheries produced an estimated 158,000 tonnes of fisheries
produce valued at HK$1,780 million. The industry consists of some 3,800 fishing
vessels and some 7,900 fishermen (AFCD website).
5.5.5
Main
fishing methods include trawling, long-lining, gill-netting and purse-seining
with the majority of the total catch obtained through trawling.
5.5.6
Within
5.5.7
Based on the Survey, fisheries production in Cheung Chau including along
the Adamasta Channel was medium at about 200 – 400 kg/ha. While the waters of
southern Cheung Chau was high at 400 – 600 kg/ha of adult fish production (Figure 5.2).
5.5.8
The
top adult fish species caught in the waters of Adamasta Channel included
rabbitfish, croaker, shrimp, crab, seabream and mullet with a production of 10
– 20 kg/ha.
5.5.9
No fish fry capture operations were recorded in the fishing areas around
the Adamasta Channel.
5.5.10
The number of vessels operating in the Adamasta Channel is mainly
contributed by small fishing vessels (<15 m in length and P4 (sampan)).
5.5.11
Based on the 2006 annual adult fish production and fish fry production
figures, the value of fisheries production in western Cheung Chau (i.e. the
Adamasta Channel) was regarded as moderate value (HK$2,000 – $5,000 /ha/yr).
Waters around eastern and southern Cheung Chau were generally higher having
moderate – high value (HK$5,000 - $10,000 /ha/yr) (Figure 5.3).
5.5.12
The catches from the Adamasta Channel were of medium value (HK$2,000 –
$5,000 /ha). Based on the fish production data, the marine waters near the
Project area support moderate adult fish production which is of moderate
importance to capture fishing operations in
Mariculture
5.5.13
Marine
fish culture involves rearing marine fish from fry or fingerlings to marketable
size in cages suspended by floating rafts in sheltered coastal areas. According
to the latest data, there are currently a total of 1,050 licensed operators in
26 FCZ, occupying a total sea area of 209 ha. The estimated production in 2008
was about 1,370 tonnes valued at HK$82 million which catered for about 10% of
local demand for live marine fish. Common species under culture include green
grouper, brown-spotted grouper, giant grouper, Russell’s snapper, mangrove snapper,
red snapper, star snapper and pompano (AFCD website).
5.5.14
There
are four FCZ within the
5.5.15
As of 31 January 2010, the latest information from AFCD indicates that
the Cheung Sha Wan FCZ consists of 118 licensed rafts with a total licensed
area of 20,302 m2 (total gazetted area = 214,200 m2). No
figure is available on fish production at this FCZ, although the estimated
total local production of marine culture fish in 2008 was about 1,370 tonnes
valued at HK$82 million.
5.5.16
The Cheung Sha Wan FCZ is located approximately 1.5 km from the proposed
landfall location at Lantau.
Spawning and Nursery Areas
5.5.17
The waters of
Fisheries Importance
5.5.18
Based on the information presented above, the
waters within the Southern WCZ study area are considered to range from low to
high in terms of commercial fisheries value and importance to the
5.5.19
The
Cheung Chau and
5.6.1
Based on the above information on the baseline
fisheries resources of the waters in the study area, the identified sensitive
receivers which potentially may be affected by the Project are the Cheung Sha
Wan FCZ and the fish spawning and nursery grounds in the waters of Cheung Chau
(i.e. the Adamasta Channel). The locations of these sensitive receivers are
shown in Figure 5.1.
5.7
Impact Identification and Evaluation
Construction Phase - Direct Impacts
5.7.1
With the use of Horizontal Directional Drilling
(HDD) as the preferred method in laying the submarine water main there will be
no direct impact on the seabed. No marine works such as dredging and
construction of permanent underwater structures will be conducted at the
foreshores where the water main lands. As the water main will be laid within
bedrock, no rock armour for the protection of the water main will be required
on the seabed. Therefore, no impact to the fishing operations or fisheries
resources including the Cheung Sha Wan FCZ in the study area is expected.
5.7.2
In addition, there will be no loss of fishing,
spawning and nursery grounds.
5.7.3
Although
the proposed works may not lead to any loss of fishing, spawning or nursery
grounds, there may be potential indirect impacts to water quality during the
construction phase which are discussed below.
Construction Phase - Indirect Impacts
5.7.4
The construction of the Project might impose
indirect impacts on fisheries resources and fishing operations in several ways,
with water quality impact being the commonest one. The major potential sources that could cause water quality impacts during
the construction phase of the Project include:
·
Construction site runoff; and
·
Wastewater from construction activities.
5.7.5
Potential impacts to water quality include
increased concentrations of suspended solids, turbidity and as a result
decrease in dissolved oxygen concentration as well as increase in nutrient
concentration in the water column. Deterioration of marine water quality would
potentially affect the fishing, spawning and nursery grounds.
5.7.6
If standard site practices as stipulated in Chapter 3 – Water Quality Impact Assessment
(e.g. turbid water from construction sites must be treated to minimise the
solid content before being discharged.) are followed, the water impacts during
construction phase could be controlled to acceptable level and the impacts on
fisheries resources including the Cheung Sha Wan FCZ should be insignificant.
5.7.7
Other water quality mitigation measures include:
·
implementing site drainage system to contain and
treat construction site runoff before discharge; and
·
providing an Emergency Contingency Plan (spill
response plan) to contain and remove accidental spillage of drilling fluids and
chemicals.
5.7.8
Another
potential indirect impact is the disturbance to the fishing activity from an
increase in marine traffic (transportation of workers and construction
materials) within the study area. According to the Port Survey data, the
Adamasta Channel is not a major fishing area. Notwithstanding, with the
adoption of HDD as the preferred option in laying the submarine main, the major
construction activities will be confined to land based works. According to the
Marine Traffic Impact Assessment, the impact of HDD works to marine traffic is
considered negligible. As such, potential impact to fishing activity is not
expected.
Operational Phase
5.7.9
As the completed water main is only to convey
treated water from Lantau to Cheung Chau, no operational or maintenance
activities will be required. No impact during the operation phase of the
proposed water main is therefore expected.
Evaluation of Impacts
5.7.10 Based on
the information presented above, the fisheries impact associated with the
construction of the proposed water main is considered to be low. An evaluation
of the impact in accordance with Annex 9 of the EIAO-TM is presented in Table
5.1 below.
Evaluation
of Fisheries Impact
|
Evaluation Criteria |
Evaluation of Fisheries Impact |
|
Nature of impact |
With the use of HDD in
laying the submarine water main, there will be no direct impact on the
seabed, hence there will be no adverse impacts to the fisheries resources
within the study area. Indirect water quality impact from silt laden site
runoff and wastewater discharge may cause temporary and localised impact to
the fisheries resources. |
|
Size of affected area |
The affected area from
the indirect water quality impact is expected to be localised, small scale
and in the vicinity of the works area. |
|
Loss of fisheries
resources / production |
The waters at Adamasta
Channel are ranked as moderate importance in comparison to other areas in |
|
Destruction and
disturbance of nursery and spawning grounds |
The closest fish spawning
and nursery grounds are located at the southern waters including the Adamasta
Channel. Inadvertent release of silty site runoff and/or wastewater could
impose localised and transient impacts. Nonetheless, with the implementation
of site drainage measures, significant adverse water quality impact is not
expected. The potential indirect water quality impact on the spawning and
nursery grounds is anticipated to be negligible, their influence on fisheries
resources / production is therefore insignificant. |
|
Impact on fishing
activity |
According to the Port
Survey data, the Adamasta Channel is not a major fishing area.
Notwithstanding, there will be no marine works or disturbance of the seabed
in laying the submarine water main. No impact to the fishing activity is
therefore expected. As the submarine pipeline will be laid iwithin bedrock,
no armour rock is necessary for protection of the pipeline. Hence no impact
on future fishing operation is expected as no armour rock will protrude above
the seabed. |
|
Impact on aquaculture
activity |
With the implementation
of proper construction site drainage system to contain and treat site runoff
and wastewater prior to discharge, no adverse water quality impact is
expected to the Cheung Sha Wan FCZ which is located over 1.5 km away from the
Project. |
5.8.1
As all the direct and indirect impacts in both
construction and operation phases are insignificant, no specific fisheries
mitigation measures are required.
5.8.2
Impacts
to fisheries resources and fishing operations would largely been avoided during
construction through selection of a land-based trenchless technology (such as
HDD) rather than the traditional dredging methods which will disturb the
seabed.
5.8.3
Standard site practices detailed in Chapter 3
would be implemented to avoid or minimise the impacts on water quality on
site. Site runoff and wastewater shall
not be allowed to discharge into the marine waters without treatment. Adequate site drainage will be provided to ensure that site runoff and wastewater will be
properly contained and treated prior to discharge into the marine waters.
5.8.4
Good
construction practice and associated measures were recommended in the Water
Quality Impact Assessment in Chapter 3 to control water
quality impacts to within acceptable levels which are also expected to control
adverse impacts to fisheries resources.
5.9.1
No significant adverse residual impact is expected after
the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures to control water quality
impacts.
5.10
Environmental Monitoring and Audit
5.10.1
Other
than the water quality monitoring programme, no specific fisheries EM&A
programme would be required during the construction phase of the Project. In
addition to the impact monitoring stations near the works area, upstream and
downstream water quality monitoring stations as well as the Cheung Sha Wan FCZ
will also be recommended for water quality monitoring.
5.11.1
Literature review has been conducted to establish
the fisheries baseline condition of the assessment area and assessment of
potential impacts conducted in accordance with the EIAO-TM requirements. With
the use of HDD technique in laying the submarine water main, there will be no
marine works and no impact to the seabed. The Project would not affect
fisheries resources and fishing activities significantly.
5.11.2
Potential indirect water quality impacts from site
runoff and wastewater discharge on capture fisheries, fish spawning and nursery
grounds and mariculture in the
AFCD Website. Retrieved on 11 February 2009.
<http://www.afcd.gov.hk/eindex.html>
AFCD Website on Capture Fisheries. Retrieved
on 7 April 2009.
<http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_cap/fish_cap_latest/fish_cap_latest.html>
AFCD Website on Aquaculture. Retrieved on 7
April 2009.
<http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_aqu/fish_aqu_mpo/fish_aqu_mpo.html>
AFCD 2006.
Port Surveys 2006. Retrieved on 11 February 2009.
<http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_cap/fish_cap_latest/fish_cap_latest_homeport.html>
AFCD 2007.
AFCD Departmental Annual Report
2006-2007. Retrieved on 18 February 2009 <http://www.afcd.gov.hk/misc/download/annualreport2007/eng/fisheries.html>
ERM (1998) Fisheries Resources and Fishing Operations in Hong Kong Waters.
Final Report to AFCD.
ERM (2006) Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Receiving Terminal and Associated
Facilities. Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIAO Register No. AEIAR-106/2007).
Mott Connell (2001) 132 kV Supply Circuit from Pui O via Chi Ma Wan