10.1 Legislation, Standards and Guidelines
10.2 Requirements of EIA Study Brief
10.3 Methodology for Baseline Establishment
10.4 Description of Existing Fisheries Baseline Conditions
10.6 Fisheries Impact Evaluation
10.8 Impact Avoidance, Minimisation and Mitigation
Measures
10.10 Residual Impacts of Fisheries
Figures
Figure 10.1 Fisheries Assessment Area and Sites of Fisheries Importance
Figure 10.2 Distribution of Fisheries Production (Adult Fish) (Source AFCD 2006)
Figure 10.3 Distribution of Fish Fry Production (Source AFCD 2006)
Figure 10.4a Distribution of Fishing Vessel
Operation (vessels > 15m) (Source AFCD 2006)
Figure 10.4b Distribution of Fishing Vessel Operation (vessels < 15m) (Source AFCD 2006)
Figure 10.5a Distribution of Fisheries Production (Adult Fish) (vessels > 15m) (Source AFCD 2006)
Figure 10.5b Distribution of Fisheries
Production (Adult Fish) (vessels < 15m) (Source AFCD 2006)
Figure 10.5c Distribution of Fisheries
Production - Sampan (Adult Fish) (Source AFCD 2006)
Figure 10.6 Value of Fisheries Production in Hong Kong Waters (Source AFCD 2006)
Figure 10.7 Transect Routes for Fish
Trawl Survey in 3RS EIA Study (Source 3RS EIA Study)
Figure 10.8 Purse Seine, Gill Net, Hand
Line and Artificial Reef Survey Locations in 3RS EIA Study (Source 3RS EIA
Study)
Figure 10.9 Ichthyoplankton and Fish Post - larvae Survey Locations in 3RS EIA Study (Source 3RS EIA Study)
Figure 10.10 Fish Culture Zones in Hong
Kong
Figure 10.11 Boundary of Marine Works Area
and Locations of Reclamation Area
Figure 10.12 Locations of WSRs relevant
with Fisheries
Figure 10.13 Permanent Fishing Ground Loss
Appendix 10.1 Methodology and Results of Fisheries Verification
Survey
10.1 Legislation, Standards and Guidelines
10.1.1.1 The local relevant regulations, legislation and guidelines for the assessment of fisheries impacts including the following:
·
The Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap.
499) and the associated TM;
·
Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171) and its
subsidiary legislation, the Fisheries Protection Regulations;
·
Marine Fish Culture Ordinance (Cap. 353) and its
subsidiary legislation;
·
Marine Parks Ordinance (Cap. 476); and
·
Water Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap. 358) and
its subsidiary regulations and statements.
10.1.1.2 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.
10.1.1.3 Destructive fishing practices such as the use of explosives, toxic substances, electricity, dredging, suction and trawling devices for the purpose of fishing are detrimental to fisheries and the marine ecosystem are prohibited under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171).
10.1.1.4 Marine fish culture is protected and regulated by the Marine Fish Culture Ordinance (Cap. 353) which requires all marine fish culture activities to operate under licence in designated fish culture zones.
10.1.1.5 Under the Marine Parks Ordinance (Cap. 476), fishing activities, including commercial fishing, inside Marine Parks are restricted, and could only be conducted with a permit issued by the Authority.
10.1.1.6 Water Pollution Control Ordinance (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 ten water control zones (WCZs). WCZs are designated with individual water quality objectives to promote the conservation and best use of those waters in the public interest. Corresponding statements of Water Quality Objectives (WQO) 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 WCZ.
10.2
Requirements of EIA Study Brief
10.2.1.1 The
proposed study involves the investigation of two Possible Development Areas
(PDAs) in Tung Chung East (TCE) and Tung Chung West (TCW) (hereafter TCE PDA
and TCW PDA), and related elements including Road P1 (Tung Chung – Tai Ho Section),
service reservoirs and sewer pipeline networks (see Figure 1.1). Besides these major elements, a marina in the
northern part of TCE PDA and a waterfront promenade at the eastern part of TCW PDA
are also proposed.
10.2.1.2 As set out in Section 3.4.8 of the EIA Study Brief (EIA Study Brief No.: ESB-285/2015), the assessment area for the Fisheries Impact Assessment (FIA) shall be the same as the assessment area for water quality assessment, i.e. North Western WCZ, North Western Supplementary WCZ, Western Buffer WCZ (Figure 10.1) as designated under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap. 358) and the areas likely to be impacted by the Project, particularly areas with significant fisheries resources and fishing activities, spawning grounds of commercial fisheries resources, fish culture zone and artificial reefs.
10.2.2
Assessment Approach
10.2.2.1 It is stated in the Appendix I of the EIA Study Brief that existing information on commercial fisheries resources and fishing operations in waters of the assessment area shall be reviewed. Based on the review results, the assessment shall identify data gap and determine if there is any need for field surveys to collect adequate fisheries baseline information. If field surveys are considered necessary, the assessment shall recommend appropriate methodology, duration and timing for such surveys.
10.2.2.2
The scopes of the
FIA as required in the Appendix I of the EIA Study Brief are as follows:
(i).
description of the physical environmental
background;
(ii).
description and quantification of the existing
fisheries activities;
(iii).
description and quantification of the existing
fisheries resources;
(iv).
identification of parameters (e.g. water quality
parameters) and areas of fisheries importance;
(v).
prediction and evaluation of any direct/indirect,
onsite/offsite impacts on fisheries (such as potential loss or disturbance of
fishing grounds, fisheries habitats, spawning or nursery grounds, aquaculture
sites and artificial reefs and hydrological disruptions) caused by the Project
(including those associated with marina);
(vi).
evaluation of cumulative impacts on fisheries due
to other planned and committed concurrent development projects at or near the
assessment area;
(vii).
proposals of feasible, practical and effective
alternatives and / or mitigation measures with details on justification,
description of and programme feasibility as well as staff and financial
implications including those related to subsequent management and maintenance
requirements of the measures; and
(viii).
review for the need of monitoring during the
construction and operation phases of the Project and, if necessary, proposal
for a monitoring and audit programme.
10.2.3
Key Fisheries Issues
10.2.3.1 A number of sites of fisheries importance and key potential impacts were
highlighted and listed out in the EIA Study Brief for the FIA. These include:
Sites of Fisheries Importance
·
Fishing grounds;
·
Fisheries habitats;
·
Spawning or nursery grounds;
·
Aquaculture sites; and
·
Artificial reefs (ARs).
Key Potential Impacts
·
Potential loss or disturbance of fishing grounds
and fisheries resources;
·
Hydrological disruptions on the fisheries resources
caused by the Project.
10.3
Methodology for Baseline Establishment
10.3.1
Literature Review Methodology
10.3.1.1
Existing information about the fisheries baseline condition
within the assessment area was reviewed. Relevant
literatures included previous EIA studies, research studies, consultancy studies,
and AFCD data were reviewed. The
review, with focus primarily on the Project Area and secondarily on the assessment
area,
aimed
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.
10.3.1.2
This review included but was not limited to the followings:
·
Port Survey 2006;
·
3RS EIA Study;
·
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
(AFCD) latest annual report and website;
·
Other relevant reports from government and private
sectors.
10.3.1.3 Port Survey is a comprehensive survey routinely conducted by AFCD to collect data on fisheries production and fishing operations in Hong Kong waters. 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 of 720 ha cell size was overlaid on Hong Kong’s waters for Port Survey 2006 and the fisheries related information (e.g. production, vessel number, catch value) was presented in several categories. The fisheries resources within the assessment area were evaluated based upon the information from Port Survey 2006. The results of Port Survey 2006 are available on AFCD website.
10.3.1.4
3RS
EIA Study – the proposed third runway involves reclamation to the north of
the existing airport island. A comprehensive fisheries and aquaculture
interview surveys including fish trawl, purse-seine, gill net, hand lining,
underwater visual counts around the ARs, and ichthyoplankton and fish
post-larvae surveys were conducted covering north Lantau waters during 2013.
10.3.1.5
AFCD’s latest annual report 2013/2014 and website provide the most
updated information on the development and trend in Hong Kong fisheries. The
latest annual fisheries production is also provided.
10.3.1.6 Other relevant
studies include:
·
Fisheries Resources and Fishing Operations in Hong
Kong Waters (ERM 1998); and
·
Consultancy Study on Fisheries and Marine
Ecological Criteria for Impact Assessment (CCPC 2001).
10.3.1.7 The validity of the information compiled during the literature review was assessed before it is adopted into the present FIA study.
10.3.2
Fisheries Verification Survey Methodology
10.3.2.1
According to the results of Port Survey 2006, the
coastal areas in Tung Chung Bay, Tung Chung East and near Tai Ho were not of high
fisheries importance. Fisheries verification surveys aimed to verify the information
of Port Survey 2006 were conducted. Since the information from Port Survey 2006
revealed that small fishing vessels (vessels not exceeding
15 m in length, i.e. <15 m) were the
major fishing vessels in the vicinity of the Project area, methodology of the present
fisheries verification surveys was based on the methods commonly adopted by small
fishing vessels (from field observations and personal communication with local
fishermen). Detailed methodology of the present fisheries verification surveys
is shown in Appendix
10.1.
10.4
Description
of Existing Fisheries Baseline Conditions
10.4.1
Sites of Fisheries Importance
10.4.1.1 Fishing grounds cover most of the open waters in North Lantau waters, except for shipping fairways and marine exclusion areas. The Project contains elements involving reclamations, and would cause loss of fishing grounds in North Lantau waters.
10.4.1.2 Besides the fishing grounds in North Lantau waters, the following sites of fisheries importance are located near the site of the Project within the boundary of the assessment area. The sites of fisheries importance are shown in Figure 10.1.
·
Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone (FCZ);
·
ARs in Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park
(SCLKC Marine Park);
·
Embayment of north
Lantau;
·
Important spawning grounds of fish and shrimp (in
particular the North Lantau waters at the Brothers and Lung Kwu Chau) (ERM
1998); and
·
New ARs to be
deployed in the proposed marine park at the Brothers.
10.4.2
Capture Fisheries
10.4.2.1 The fishing industry of capture fisheries makes an important contribution to Hong Kong in maintaining a steady supply of fresh marine fish to local consumers. In 2014, it produced an estimated 160,789 tonnes of fisheries produce valued at about $ 2,530 million (Information from AFCD website, 2015).
10.4.2.2 AFCD Port Survey provides the most comprehensive information on capture fisheries in Hong Kong waters, including fishing operations and fisheries production (adult fish and fish fry).
10.4.2.3 Port Survey is a comprehensive survey routinely conducted by AFCD to collect data on fisheries production and fishing operations in Hong Kong waters. The Port Survey consisted of an interview programme. In Port Survey 2006, about 36% of the local fishing fleet which accounted for all homeports (places at which local fishing vessels are based) and vessel types was interviewed (AFCD website, 2015). Particulars such as vessel length, type and homeport of the fishing vessels were recorded and information about their fishing operations and fisheries production in Hong Kong waters was collected during the interviews.
10.4.2.4 In Port Survey 2006, grid cells were categorised into one of the 6 classes, in accordance with their overall adult fish production. i.e. > 0-50 kg/ha; 50-100 kg/ha; 100-200 kg/ha; 200-400 kg/ha; 400-600 kg/ha; and 600-1,000 kg/ha. As reported in Port Survey 2006, in North Lantau waters, areas of high fisheries production included the waters around the Brothers, the waters around Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau, and the waters around Tai O, where the adult fish fisheries production reached 200-400 kg/ha to 400-600 kg/ha (Figure 10.2). The fisheries production of the grid cells covering TCE PDA and Road P1 (Tung Chung – Tai Ho Section) however were ranked as low (50-100 kg/ha) to very low (>0 – 50 kg/ha), respectively. The figure demonstrates that the coastal waters off Tung Chung New Town (TCE PDA and Road P1 (Tung Chung – Tai Ho Section)) were of low importance to capture fisheries operation in Hong Kong.
10.4.2.5 The results of Port Survey 2006 indicated that fry collection has become very limited and localized throughout Hong Kong waters. Fish fry production was concentrated in the eastern waters (Mirs Bay, Tolo Harbour and Channel, Port Shelter and Po Toi), with a smaller contribution from the East Lamma Channel (Figure 10.3). No fish fry production was recorded in the entire North Lantau waters.
10.4.2.6 The fishing operation in grid cells was categorized into 6 classes, i.e. > 0-10 vessels; 10-50 vessels; 50-100 vessels; 100-400 vessels; 400-700 vessels; and 700-1,000 vessels. The local capture fisheries production was mainly contributed by large fishing vessels (vessels exceeding 15 m in length, i.e. > 15m). In North Lantau waters, the distribution of fishing operations varied with vessel sizes. For large fishing vessels, the distribution was more even, with the majority of the grid cells having 50-100 vessels and most of the remaining cells having 10-50 vessels (Figure 10.4a). For small fishing vessels, their operations in North Lantau waters concentrated in a few areas, i.e. the waters near Ma Wan, the waters around the Brothers, the waters around Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau, and the waters around Tai O, where the abundance of small fishing vessels reached 100-400 per grid cell (Figure 10.4b). However, small fishing vessels were more commonly found in the coastal waters off Tung Chung New Town. Only 10-50 no. of large fishing vessels utilised the grid cell covering TCE PDA and less than 10 no. of large fishing vessels in the grid cell covering Road P1 (Figure 10.4a). For the small fishing vessels, the grid cells covering TCE PDA and Road P1 had 50-100 no. of vessels operated inside. As the TCE PDA and Road P1 only occupy a portion of those grid cells, the actual number of fishing vessels utilizing the waters of the TCE PDA and Road P1 footprint would be much smaller. The fisheries production contributed by fishing vessels of different sizes also indicated that small fishing vessels were dominant in the coastal waters off Tung Chung New Town. The fisheries production contributed by large fishing vessels was only <=50kg/ha (Figure 10.5a), while that by small fishing vessels was 50-100 kg/ha in the grid cell covering TCE PDA and <50 kg/ha in the grid cell covering Road P1 (Figure 10.5b). Sampans were the most productive vessel type among the small fishing vessels within the TCE PDA and Road P1 (50 – 100 kg/ha) (Figure 10.5c).
10.4.2.7 Among the 10 species of major fisheries products (i.e. scad (Carangidae), shrimp, rabbit fish (Siganidae), squid, croaker (Sciaenidae), crab, mullet (Mugilidae), sardine (Clupeidae), seabream (Sparidae) and anchovy (Engraulidae)), the most abundant species were rabbit fish and croaker, of which 0-50 kg/ha were produced in the Project area. The values of fisheries production within Tung Chung Bay ranged from HK$>0 – <500 per ha, while in Tung Chung East and the proposed Road P1 ranged from HK$1000 – 2000 per ha (Figure 10.6).
10.4.2.8 Comprehensive fisheries surveys were
conducted during the 3RS EIA study, and the scopes included field surveys
(adult fish and fish larvae) and interview programme. The comprehensive
fisheries surveys covered a large extent of
North Lantau waters (i.e. North Western WCZ) and included most of the areas of
fisheries importance
such as important spawning and nursery
grounds in North Lantau and areas of higher fisheries production in the
Brothers, and Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau, and such the results could
sufficiently supplement any information gaps and update the general fisheries
baseline conditions of the North Lantau waters.
10.4.2.9 The fisheries surveys under 3RS EIA study
included 6 aspects as listed below:
1.
Fish trawl surveys to cover demersal fisheries resources;
2.
Purse-seine surveys to cover pelagic fisheries resources;
3.
Gill net surveys and hand lining surveys to cover
other fisheries resources within the water column;
4.
Underwater visual counts around the ARs deployed at SCLKC Marine Park to review the
existing status of the ARs in terms of value of habitat provision for
commercial fisheries;
5.
Ichthyoplankton and fish post-larvae survey to
assess the abundance, composition and diversity of ichthyoplankton and fish
post-larvae in the northern Lantau waters and thus determine if the study areas
were important for commercial fisheries resources; and
6.
Fisheries and aquaculture interview surveys to
supplement other field survey’s findings.
10.4.2.10 The
transect routes for the fish trawl survey, sampling locations of purse seine
survey, gill net survey, hand line survey, AR survey, and ichthyoplankton and
fish post-larvae survey are shown in Figures 10.7 –
10.9. Most of the surveys were conducted in both day time and night time
covering both wet and dry seasons of 2013, while ichthyoplankton and fish
post-larvae survey covered the spawning season between May and August 2013.
10.4.2.11 The
fisheries surveys were conducted in 5 areas, i.e. the north of existing airport
island, adjacent areas in the Brothers, SCLKC Marine Park, western and northern
Chek Lap Kok waters. These surveyed areas covered a large extent of the
assessment area for the present study. The 5 areas are discussed as follows:
10.4.2.12 The north of existing Airport Island – trawl, purse seine, gill net and hand line surveys were
conducted. A total of 148
species were recorded. Most of the dominant species recorded in
terms of abundance and yield are with low or no commercial value. The top
three dominant
species recorded within the footprint in terms of abundance
and yield were Temnopleurus toreumaticus (sea urchin) and Siphonosoma sp. and Turritella terebra (sea snail).
Although high yield was recorded in trawl survey during both wet and dry
season, a large portion of species caught are of low or no commercial value.
Apart from trawl survey, most of the dominant species recorded in terms of
abundance (Konosirus punctatus, Sardinella albella, Thryssa
kammalensis, Temnopleurus toreumaticus and Thryssa hamiltonii) and yield
(Konosirus punctatus, Sardinella albella, Nematalosa
nasus, Rhizoprionodon
acutus and Drepane punctata) are also of low commercial
value, except for Drepane punctate which is of medium commercial value.
In summary, moderately low to high yield were observed in this area, with
dominant species of no to medium commercial value. In view that the high yield
was recorded by trawl surveys with a large proportion of non-commercial
species, the level of fisheries resources in this area was considered as low to
moderate.
10.4.2.13 According
to the fisheries interview, a
moderate number of vessels of 150 frequently operated within the area were
recorded. The northeastern corner of the area overlaps with the identified
spawning ground of commercial fisheries resources within the northern Lantau
waters (ERM, 1998). However, according to the results of ichthyoplankton and
post-larvae surveys, it was shown that the ichthyoplankton and post-larvae
densities (6.42 ± 9.33 larvae m-3) and family richness (3.67 ± 2.24) were low, and mostly consisted of
families of low commercial values.
10.4.2.14 Northern
Chek Lap Kok waters – trawling, purse seine, gill net and hand
line surveys were conducted. A total of 121 species were recorded. Except for
the high yield recorded by hand line survey during the wet season, most of the
surveys were generally recorded a moderate yield. Thryssa kammalensis, Sardinella
albella, Temnopleurus toreumaticus,
Leiognathus brevirostris and Alepes djedaba were the top five
abundant species recorded, while Thryssa
kammalensis, Sardinella albella, Nematalosa nasus, Rhizoprionodon acutus and Temnopleurus
toreumaticus were the dominant species recorded in terms of yield.
10.4.2.15 According
to the fisheries interview survey, a moderate number of vessels (~110 vessels)
were recorded frequently operated around northern Chek Lap Kok waters. In fact,
the northern Chek Lap Kok waters lie within the identified spawning ground of
commercial fisheries resources in northern waters (ERM, 1998). However, from
the ichthyoplankton and post-larvae surveys, it was shown that the
ichthyoplankton and post-larvae densities (1.16 ± 1.37 larvae m-3) and family richness
(6.50 ± 2.92) were low and mostly consisted of families of
low commercial values.
10.4.2.16 Western Chek Lap Kok waters – trawl, purse seine, gill net and hand line surveys were conducted, a
total of 105 species were recorded. However, most of the dominant species are
of no or low commercial values. The top five abundant species recorded were Sardinella albella, Thryssa kammalensis, llisha
elongata, Konosirus punctatus and
Thryssa hamiltonii, and the fisheries
resources was regarded as moderate in the western Chek Lap Kok waters.
10.4.2.17 The
fisheries interview surveys indicated that a low number of vessels (~ 30)
frequently operate around the western Chek Lap Kok waters. This area lies
outside the identified spawning ground of commercial fisheries resources in the
northern Lantau waters (ERM, 1998). From the ichthyoplankton and post-larvae
surveys of this study, the densities of ichthyoplankton and post-larvae were
about 1.00 ± 0.95 larvae m-3, and family richness was 7.04 ± 2.42. The results
were regarded as low and mostly consisted of families of low commercial values.
10.4.2.18 SCLKC Marine Park – purse seine, gill net and hand line
surveys were conducted. Trawl survey was not conducted for minimising the
disturbance to seabed within the marine park. A total of 68 species were
recorded. High yield was recorded in both purse seine survey during both wet
and dry seasons, and gill net survey during dry season. Species caught with high abundance included Nematalosa nasus,
Sardinella albella, Valamugil cunnesius, Ilisha elongate and
Pampus argenteus. In terms of yield,
it included Nematalosa
nasus, Sardinella albella, Collichthys lucidus, Valamugil cunnesius and Leiognathus
brevirostris, are of medium
to high commercial value. In summary,
moderate to high yield were observed in this area with dominant species of no
to high commercial values. Hence, SCLKC Marine Park was considered with
moderate to high level of fisheries resources.
10.4.2.19 According to the fisheries
interview, a low number of vessel (~20 vessels) was recorded frequently
operated within and around SCLKC Marine Park, which lies within the identified
spawning ground of commercial fisheries resources in northern Lantau waters
(ERM, 1998). However, from ichthyoplankton
and post-larvae surveys, it showed that the ichthyoplankton and
post-larvae densities (1.13 ± 1.98 larvae m-3) and
family richness (6.79 ± 3.34) were low, and mostly consisted of
families of low commercial values.
10.4.2.20 The Brothers –The Brothers is the
survey area nearest to present proposed reclamation of TCE PDA, recognized as a planned Marine
Park. Trawl survey was not conducted for minimising the disturbance to seabed. A total of 74 species were recorded. Most of the dominant species recorded
in terms of abundance (Thryssa
kammalensis, Sardinella
albella, Alepes djedaba, Sebastiscus marmoratus and Temnopleurus toreumaticus) and yield
(Sardinella albella, Thryssa kammalensis, Konosirus
punctatus, Sebastiscus marmoratus and Siganus
canaliculatus) are with
low or no commercial value, except for Sebastiscus
marmoratus, which is of high commercial value. High
yield was recorded in both gill net survey during wet season and hand line
survey during dry season. In summary, low to high yield were observed in
this area with dominant species of no to high commercial values. Therefore, the
waters around the planned Marine Park, when compared with other areas surveyed under that study, were considered
with moderate to high level of fisheries resources.
10.4.2.21 From
the fisheries interviews, a moderate
number of vessels (~100 vessels) were recorded frequently operated
around the Brothers, Nevertheless, many fishermen claimed that since the commencement of construction
of HKBCF in March 2012, they have shifted their major fishing ground from
northern Lantau Island (i.e. The
Brothers and Yan O) to southern Lantau Island (i.e. Peng
Chau) and western Lantau Island (i.e. Tai O), as a result of their perceived changes in water quality and current. The
Brothers lies within the identified spawning ground of commercial fisheries
resources in northern Lantau waters (ERM, 1998). However, results of ichthyoplankton and
post-larvae surveys showed that the
ichthyoplankton and post-larvae densities (8.66 ± 24.80 larvae
m-3) and family richness (3.54 ± 1.56) were
low and mostly consisted of families of low commercial values.
10.4.2.22 In summary of the fisheries surveys conducted
for the 3RS EIA study, a total of 182 species were recorded from surveys covering different areas of North Lantau waters, out of
which around 93% have commercial value. Species with commercial value were defined
based on the findings described in the fishermen interview survey i.e. catches
which were retained and either sold to seafood market and restaurants, or to
local factories for salted/preserved fish production, or as fish feed. Catches
with no commercial value such as corals, sea urchin, sand slug, peanut worm and
sea pen were usually thrown back into the sea by fishermen. Among those
species, 134 fish species from 75 families, 6 species of mantis shrimps from
one family, 11 species of shrimps from three families, 13 species of crabs from
six families, and 18 species from 16 other families (e.g. horseshoe crab, blood
cockle, squid, mussel, octopus, sea urchin etc.) were recorded.
10.4.2.23 According
to the surveys, 46 species of high commercial value, 33 species of medium
value, 90 species of low commercial value and 13 species with no commercial
value were recorded.
10.4.2.24 Ichthyoplankton
and fish post-larvae survey were conducted during the peak spawning season for
commercial fisheries in northern Lantau. There were 27 families recorded in the
study area based on the sample identification. The most abundant fish family
recorded was Clupeidae, followed by Engraulidae, Ambassidae, Blenniidae,
Gobiidae and Scorpaenidae. Except for Scorpaenidae which may comprise species
of medium commercial value, the rest are mostly families of low commercial
value. For families of high commercial value, one ichthyoplankton individual of
Cynoglossidae and 2 ichthyoplankton individuals of Sillaginidae were found. One
post-larvae individual of Cynoglossidue was also found.
10.4.2.25 Among the
survey areas of 3RS EIA study, the highest number of species was recorded in
the proposed runway footprint. A total of 123 species were recorded. The top
five dominant species recorded in terms of abundance were Temnopleurus toreumaticus, Turritella
terebra, Siphonosoma sp., Johnius belangerii and Philine aperta, which accounted for 75%
of abundance of all species. In terms of biomass, the top five dominant species
were Temnopleurus toreumaticus, Siphonosoma sp., Turritella
terebra, Johnius belangerii and Charybdis sp., which contributed to 83%
of total yield.
10.4.2.26 Interviews
with fishermen were conducted to help determine locations where capture
fisheries occur, fishing time in various locations, productivity in terms of
weight and value of catches, major species of adult fish and fish fry catches,
and costs of operating fishing vessels (e.g. fuel) etc.
10.4.2.27 A number of homeports were identified in the north Lantau, including Tai O, Sha Lo Wan, Tung Chung, Yam O, Ma Wan, Tsing Lung Tau and Castle Peak Bay. The vessels mentioned above probably based in one of the homeports. Interviews were conducted in different homeports by 3RS EIA study and summary of the homeport from the interviews are stated below.
10.4.2.28 A total of 71 fishermen were interviewed in Tai O homeport in 2013. Most of the interviewed vessels owners operated sampans for capture fisheries. The fishing gear deployed included gill nets, long lines, hand lines and cage traps. The fishing operations were mainly along the coastal region of Lantau Island. The major fishing grounds were northern/western/southern Lantau waters and along the coast of Cheung Sha.
10.4.2.29 In Sha Lo Wan / Tung Chung homeports, a total of 61 fishermen were interviewed. Only 2 vessels greater than 15m in length were recorded in this homeport. Almost all of the vessel owners interviewed were operating sampans for capture fisheries. The major fishing grounds for Sha Lo Wan and Tung Chung fishermen were along the shoreline of northern Lantau Island from Tai O to Ma Wan, western and eastern waters of the existing airport.
10.4.2.30 Fishermen in Tsing Lung Tau and Yam O were all based in Ma Wan homeport. Some of the fishermen from this homeport operated both capture and culture fisheries. A total of 79 fishermen were interviewed. The major vessel type in this homeport was sampan. The fishing grounds for these fishermen were mainly around Ma Wan, north of Tsing Lung Tau, west of the Brothers, east of Tsing Yi Rambler Channel, south of Kau Yi Chau. They also operated along the Lantau Island coasts occasionally.
10.4.2.31 A
total of 188 fishermen were interviewed in Castle Peak Bay. The vessel types in
this homeport comprised pair trawlers, stern trawlers, shrimp trawlers, hang
trawlers, purse seiners, gill netters, sampans and miscellaneous vessels. 133
out of the 188 vessels were less than 15 m in length and sampans were the
dominant vessel type, followed by trawlers. The operation areas were usually
not far from the homeport, such as northern/western airport waters, Tung Chung,
Ma Wan Channel, Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau, and the Brothers.
10.4.2.32 The
interviews identified a moderate number of vessels of around 100 – 400
utilising the waters at the proposed runway footprint, the east of Sha Chau
Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park, and the western Lantau waters. The interview results
also indicated a high number of vessels of around 400 – 700 utilising the
waters around the Brothers. Most of the vessels utilizing the northern and
western Lantau waters were small vessels of sizes smaller than 15m.
10.4.2.33 According
to the fisheries interview, approximately 84 species from more than 46 families
were reported to be caught by the fishers in Northern Lantau. Species or
families that most fishers reported included Sparidae, Sciaenidae, Serranidae,
Mugilidae, Platycephalidae, Polynemidae, Eleutheronema, Siganus canaliculatus, Sebastiscus
sp., Larimichthys sp., Lateolabrax japonicas, Collichthys lucidus, Acanthopagrus latus, Pampus sp., mixed squid and
Muraenescocidae.
10.4.3
Spawning Grounds and Artificial Reefs
10.4.3.1 The North Lantau waters between the Brothers and Lung Kwu Chau were identified as important spawning grounds of fish and shrimp during a fisheries study in Hong Kong (Figure 10.1) (ERM 1998), which consist of spawning individuals of high commercial value (e.g. Lateolabrax japonicas, Metapenaeus affinis and Oratosquilla oratoria) (ibid). The shortest separation distance of the spawning area is around 2 km from the Project area. Major species included Pony fish Leiognathus brevirostris, Sea bass Lateolabrax japonicus, and Gizzard shad Clupanodon punctatus.
10.4.3.2 Embayment, especially those with mangroves and intertidal mudflats are considered as important spawning and breeding grounds for marine organisms, including species of commercial value (ERM 2000). There are several such embayment on the north Lantau shore, namely Tai Ho Wan, Tung Chung Bay, Hau Hok Wan, Sha Lo Wan and Sham Wat. Tung Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan are being the two nearest to the Project area. Tung Chung Bay is about 2 km from the Project area, while Tai Ho Wan is separated from the marine works area by the about 200m North Lantau Highway.
10.4.3.3 ARs, a fisheries resource enhancement measure, are considered as sites of fisheries importance as they served to enhance the fisheries resources in the area. ARs were deployed at two locations in North Lantau waters, i.e. the northeast corner of Airport Island within Marine Exclusion Zone 3 as well as Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park, for conservation of Chinese White Dolphins as well as habitat quality and marine resource enhancement purposes. Both ARs were deployed in 2000. While the ARs in the Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park are quite distant, the ARs in Marine Exclusion Zone 3 are still over 2 km away from the Project area. The ARs in Marine Exclusion Zone 3 are indeed close to the on-going HKBCF construction site and are anticipated to be impacted by the HKBCF construction work, as such replacement ARs are proposed to be deployed as mitigation in the HKBCF EIA (ARUP 2009). Therefore, the ARs in Marine Exclusion Zone 3 are not considered as sites of fisheries importance in the present FIA.
10.4.3.4 Besides the above existing ARs, new ARs are also proposed in the Proposed Marine Park at the Brothers which is a mitigation measure for marine habitat loss due to the HKBCF reclamation. The authority made a firm commitment to seek the designation of a marine park at the Brothers, to mitigate the habitat loss of Chinese White Dolphins. As it was predicted in the HZMB EIA that impacts on the ARs were expected, replacement ARs will be deployed as a mitigation measure, probably at the proposed The Brothers Marine Park, and will still be more than 3 km away from the Project area. The detailed study for the proposed Marine Park and the new ARs are still ongoing, but the preliminary boundary of the proposed Marine Park has been proposed. In accordance with the HKBCF EIA, the new ARs would be at least three times the volume of the existing ARs inside the Marine Exclusion Zone, and thus should be over 3,600m3.
10.4.4
Culture Fisheries
10.4.4.1 As the construction of TCE PDA and Road P1 is a marine-based project and there is no fishpond in the vicinity of TCW PDA, pond fish culture is not an issue for the present FIA and would not be discussed further, and the culture fisheries only focus on mariculture. The predominant type of mariculture in Hong Kong is marine fish culture. 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 Mainland, 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 (Information from AFCD website, 2014).
10.4.4.2 Marine fish culture is protected and regulated by the Marine Fish Culture Ordinance (Cap. 353), which requires all marine fish culture activities to operate under licence in designated FCZs. Currently, there are 26 FCZs occupying a total sea area of 209 ha with some 968 licensed operators. In 2014, the estimated production from local marine fish culture was about 1,255 tonnes (of value HK$ 115 million), constituting 6% of the local demand for live marine fish (Information from AFCD website, 2015).
10.4.4.3 Water quality within Marine FCZs is regulated under the WPCO and its supporting regulations and statements. Within Fish Culture Subzones, the dissolved oxygen level should not be less than 5 mg l-1 for 90% of the sampling occasions during the year; values should be calculated as water column average (arithmetic mean of at least 3 measurements at 1 metre below surface, mid-depth and 1 metre above seabed). In addition, the concentration of dissolved oxygen should not be less than 2 mg l-1 per litre within 2 metres of the seabed for 90% of the sampling occasions during the year, and the annual geometric mean of E. coli should not exceed 610/100 ml.
10.4.4.4 There are no FCZs within the footprint for the Project or in the vicinity. Of the 26 gazetted FCZs zones in Hong Kong, Ma Wan FCZ (Figure 10.10) is the only one located within the fisheries assessment area, and is located about 10 km to the east.
10.4.5
Fisheries Verification Surveys
10.4.5.1 Fisheries verification surveys by gill netting and caging were conducted in Sha Lo Wan, Hau Hok Wan, Tung Chung West, Tung Chung East, Tai Ho and Sham Shui Kok for the present study. A total of 257 individual organisms were collected from the surveys, with 53 in the dry season survey and 204 in the wet season survey. Organisms caught represented 40 species, including 30 species of fishes and 10 species of crustaceans. In terms of weight, 16.5kg (16,495g) of catch was collected, with 1.3kg (1,340g) from dry season and 15.2kg (15,155.7g) from wet season. GSI results are also shown as supplementary information.
10.4.5.2 Both commercial and non-commercial species were recorded.
Commercial species recorded are mostly common fisheries species in western or
north-western waters of Hong Kong, such as Thryssa hamiltonii, Nematalosa
nasus, and Inegocia japonica.
10.4.5.3 Major commercial species found in Sham Shui Kok
included Inegocia japonica and Saurida sp.. In TCE, Inegocia japonica and Thryssa hamiltonii were the major
commercial species, while Saurida sp.
and Portunus pelagicus were the major
commercial species in TCW. All these major commercial species were of low
commercial value (<$30 kg-1), except Portunus pelagicus, which is
regarded as high commercial value (>$45 kg-1). (The values of the
commercial species were made reference to information from 3RS EIA study and
Fish Marketing Organization).
10.4.5.4 Sham Shui
Kok is a more productive fishing ground (in terms of both commercial and
non-commercial species) than other locations including TCE PDA and Tung Chung
Bay. Catches from Sham Shui Kok had a higher yield (3,392.8g vs. 2,680.2g at E2)
(commercial species only) and number of individuals (34 vs. 28 at E1) (commercial
species only) than the sampling locations within TCE PDA and Tung Chung Bay. On
the other hand, yield from TCE PDA was higher than Tung Chung Bay. While Tung
Chung Bay yielded more than Sha Lo Wan and Hau Hok Wan.
10.4.5.5 In the
present verification surveys, catches of low
abundance and low biomass were collected (within the proposed reclamation
footprint and within Tung Chung Bay). Besides, most of the species collected in
the surveys were of low commercial value or no commercial value. Detailed
results were shown in Appendix 10.1.
10.4.6
Summary of the Fisheries Baseline Conditions
10.4.6.1 The
assessment area of the present FIA covers most of the waters in North Lantau
and sites of fisheries importance including fishing grounds, important spawning
ground between Lung Kwu Chau and the Brothers, embayment along the coast of
North Lantau, ARs in Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park and the proposed The
Brothers Marine Park, and Ma Wan FCZ. The fisheries production in waters around
North Lantau in general is not high when compared with other areas of Hong Kong
waters, except waters around the Brothers, Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau and Tai O
which are of relatively high fisheries production. However, these areas are all
far away from the Project area. The waters within the Project area are of low
fisheries production dominant by low to moderate number of small fishing vessels.
The spawning ground is about 2 km from the Project area while Ma Wan FCZ is of
far distance from the Project area. Embayment located in Tai Ho Wan,
Tung Chung Bay, Hau Hok Wan, Sha Lo Wan and Sham Wat, with mangroves and
intertidal mudflats are considered as important spawning and breeding grounds
for marine organisms, including species of commercial value (ERM 2000). Tung
Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan are being the two nearest to the Project area. Results
of the fisheries verification surveys showed that catches of low abundance and
low biomass were collected (within the proposed reclamation footprint and within
Tung Chung Bay). Besides, most of the species collected in the surveys were of
low commercial value or no commercial value, particular in the proposed
reclamation footprint and within Tung Chung Bay.
ARs
were deployed at two locations in North Lantau waters, i.e. the northeast
corner of Airport Island within Marine Exclusion Zone 3 as well as Sha Chau and
Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park. While the ARs in the Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine
Park are quite distant, the ARs in Marine Exclusion Zone 3 are
relatively
closer to the Project area (over 2 km) but are adjacent to the on-going HKBCF
reclamation and are expected to be impacted by the construction works. New ARs to be deployed in the proposed The
Brothers Marine Park will be
more than 3 km away from the Project area as shown in Figure 10.1.
10.4.7
Fisheries
Sensitive Receivers
10.4.7.1
All sites of
fisheries importance listed in Section
10.4.1.2 of the EIA Report were identified as fisheries sensitive receivers
for the present FIA.
10.5.1
Assessment Criteria
10.5.1.1 Impacts were assessed in the absence of mitigation. The construction and
operational phase impacts on fisheries were assessed individually, then
cumulatively, in combination with other existing, committed and proposed
developments.
10.5.1.2 The significance of fisheries impacts was evaluated based primarily on
the criteria set forth in Annex 9 of the EIAO-TM:
·
Nature of impact;
·
Size of affected area;
·
Loss of fisheries resources/production;
·
Destruction and disturbance of nursery and spawning
grounds;
·
Impact on fishing activity; and
·
Impact on aquaculture activity.
10.5.1.3 Impacts are generally ranked as "minor", "moderate" or "severe", although in a few cases a ranking of "insignificant" (less than "minor") may be given. The ranking of a given impact would vary, based on the criteria listed above. Wherever possible, significance of fisheries impacts would be quantified to allow ready appreciation of relative significance.
10.5.1.4 Besides adverse impacts, potential beneficial influences brought by the Project would also be considered in the assessment.
10.5.1.5 Finally, the assessment would conclude whether the mitigation measures envisaged could alleviate any negative impacts of the project and its components to within acceptable bounds. The acceptability of the overall residual impacts would be determined.
10.5.1.6 Planned/on-going development projects in the north Lantau waters, in particular those will involve reclamations and/or marine works and would likely have cumulative fisheries impact during both the construction and operational phases of the project would be considered and the potential cumulative fisheries impacts would be assessed. The cumulative construction phase impacts may include, cumulative water quality deteriorations (in particular suspended sediments), and cumulative disturbance impacts to fishing operations (particularly due to marine traffic of works vessels and works areas). The cumulative operation phase impacts would include, cumulative loss of fishing grounds (due to reclamation footprints, restricted areas, and other areas not available for fishing operations), changes of hydrological regime, tidal exchanges and water quality in North Lantau waters due to the presence of reclamation and marine structures, and disturbance to fishing operations due to operational phase marine traffic.
10.5.1.7 Potential fisheries impacts arising from the different scenarios of the Project, including construction phase and operational phase were identified. Predicted impacts were quantified as far as possible and evaluated with reference to Annexes 9 and 17 of the TM. Where significant negative impacts are predicted from the scenarios, based upon the priority of “avoid, minimize, and compensate”, the study team, in consultation with the client, would follow the approaches as: modifications to project design, consideration of alternative options, special controls on construction methods and schedule. Efforts were made to develop acceptable scenarios for further selection. The acceptability of residual impacts following mitigation was assessed. The layout designs should avoid or minimise potential secondary impacts to fisheries outside the Project (e.g., changes in water quality, fishing operation disturbance) during both construction and operation phases. Finally, the assessment evaluated the need for fisheries monitoring and audit, and was prescribed in detail any required EM&A programme in accordance with the EIA Study Brief. Cumulative impacts from concurrent projects (during both the construction and operational phases) would be evaluated and included in the EIA Report.
10.6
Fisheries
Impact Evaluation
10.6.1
Construction Phase - Direct Impacts
Fishing
Ground Loss due to Marine Works Area
10.6.1.1 Among the major project elements, TCE PDA and Road P1 (Tung Chung – Tai Ho Section) would involve reclamation, while other major elements such as TCW PDA, service reservoirs, and sewer pipeline networks are all land-based. Besides these major elements, the site formation of the proposed marina is included as part of the TCE PDA reclamation, while the waterfront promenade would be constructed above marine waters and would not involve marine works.
10.6.1.2 In accordance with the plan prepared for gazette under the foreshore and seabed ordinance, an area of 200 ha marine waters would be set up as marine works area for the present Project (Figure 10.11), which will cover the footprint of the two reclamations proposed under the present Project, i.e. TCE PDA (which has included the site formation of the marina such as the breakwater) and Road P1, as well as sufficient space for setting silt curtains and works vessel manoeuvring. Fishing operations are not available within these marine works areas during the about 6 years of reclamation works programme (anticipated from 2017 to 2023, see Table 2.32), and this is considered as a construction phase fishing ground loss impact.
10.6.1.3 In some other reclamation projects, there might also be some marine waters for works vessels to anchor, which would not be available for fishing operations. However, no specific vessel anchor area for the present Project is proposed.
10.6.1.4
When compared with the 1,651 km2 (approximately
165,100 ha) of Hong Kong’ total marine waters (EPD 2013) which is mostly available for fishing,
the construction phase fishing ground loss (about
200 ha of marine waters for a duration of about 6 years) caused by the Project is
considered to be of minor proportion
(approximately 0.12 %). Moreover, the area of 200 ha marine waters is of low production output according to Port
Survey 2006. Production of the grid cell covering TCE PDA and Road P1 Extension is ranked as low to very low (50-100 kg/ha and
<=50 kg/ha). The
maximum loss from the area of 200 ha marine waters would be only 20,000
kg per year, or 100,000 kg for the about 6 year duration. When
compared with the 160,789 tonnes of fisheries production in 2014
(Information from AFCD website, 2015), the
magnitude of the impact is not severe due to the low production rate, and is
ranked as Minor. No specific
mitigation is required.
10.6.1.5
TCE PDA and Road P1
Extension are about 2 km away from the
known spawning and nursery grounds at North Lantau waters, and also away
from coastal embayment in North Lantau.
10.6.1.6
Five embayment
(Tai Ho Wan, Tung Chung Bay, Hau Hok Wan, Shan Lo Wan and Sham Wat) are of fisheries importance owing to their potential functions as breeding and nursery grounds for marine organisms
(Figure 10.1). These five areas all comprise a large proportion
of the intertidal zone. If these areas are encroached by the construction
works, their functions might be jeopardized. However, none of the embayment potentially
functioning as fisheries spawning and breeding ground would be affected
directly, as the construction works for the Project would not encroach any of
the embayment. Tung Chung Bay is about 2 km from the Project area.
Tai Ho Wan is the nearest embayment, and will be separated from the Road P1 by the
North Lantau Highway, but still there will be no direct loss caused by
the proposed reclamation and its existing outlet will be retained.
10.6.1.7 Waterfront promenades are proposed in TCW PDA, along the coastlines to the east of Tung Chung Old Pier facing airport channel as well as to the west of Yat Tung Estate along the tidal channel receiving flow from Wong Lung Hang, by land use of Regional Open Space (RO). For the coastline to the east of Tung Chung Old Pier, it will be part of the Town Park covering the hill at Wong Nai Uk, and thus encroachment on coastline should not occur. For the section to the west of Yat Tung Estate, the alignment and construction of the waterfront promenade would be above and away from marine waters, as the boundary of the RODP for TCW PDA demarcates the +2.5mPD and thus it should be all terrestrial habitats falling within the RODP, and it is not regarded as marine works. Hence, no direct impact on marine waters or additional marine works area from the waterfront promenades is expected.
Change of
Fishing Operation Locations due to Marine Works Area
10.6.1.8
After the setting up of the Marine Works Area,
fishermen originally use the area of marine waters as part of their fishing
grounds might need to shift their operation locations to other locations/areas.
Based on the information from Port Survey 2006, and the facts that the area is
or will be close to the existing coastline (Tung Chung New Town), bridges
(TM-CLKL) and other reclamations (HKBCF) (both on-going but expected to be
finished before 2016), it is expected that fishing vessels will operate in this
area if any would be mainly small fising vessels such as sampans. Fishermen
based in Tung Chung/Sha Lo Wan are expected to utilize the waters around Tung
Chung more often given the closer distances to their home ports. According to the
fishermen interview results from the 3RS EIA, the number of fishermen based in
Tung Chung/Sha Lo Wan was small (61 interviewed), and the operation areas for
their fishing activities usually ranged from Tai O to Ma Wan as well as the
waters to the east and west of airport island. Waters offshore to Tung Chung
New Town where the proposed reclamation is located only constitute a small
portion within their operation areas. Fishermen based in other home ports in
North Lantau waters such as Castle Peak, Tai O, Ma Wan/Tsing Lung Tau/Yam O and
Tsuen Wan, have their respective usual operation areas, and fishermen of Castle
Peak (188 interviewed, among them 133 were using small fishing vessels) and Tai
O (71 interviewed) were reported that their usual operation areas would cover
Tung Chung / north Lantau waters. The influences to the fishermen in the North
Lantau homeports (particularly Tung Chung, Sha Lo Wan,) would not be severe as
alternative fishing grounds are available within their usual operation areas.
Hence, the impact is considered Minor.
No specific mitigation measure is needed.
10.6.2
Construction Phase – Indirect Impacts
Impacts on Fisheries Resources due to Changes of Water
Quality
10.6.2.1 In most reclamation projects, several marine construction works contribute the majority of water quality impacts during construction phase, and the major sources of impacts include dredging (subject to the reclamation construction method, the need of dredging could be minimised if non-dredged method is adopted like in the present Project), seawall construction, reclamation filling behind seawalls, and wastewater from construction activities. These activities can cause sediment plumes which would in turn cause increase in pollutants in the water and decrease in dissolved oxygen levels.
10.6.2.2 In general, dredging and filling works in reclamations are the key potential sources of suspended solids (usually in the form of sediment plumes) and the associated turbidity, sedimentation, and water quality deteriorations such as reduction in dissolved oxygen, along with potential release of nutrients and contaminants to the water column. High suspended solid might also block the gill of fish and other marine organisms and would affect the gas exchange, while the high turbidity would affect the foraging of organisms relying on eye sights. High sedimentation rate (usually following high suspended solid level) could affect sessile benthos including subtidal ones such as corals and even intertidal ones such as epifauna on intertidal habitats. A lower oxygen level would affect stationary species, whilst mobile species would tend to temporarily avoid the area. The result could be a temporary reduction in the abundance of aquatic life including fisheries species. Nutrients and/or contaminants in the seabed sediment might release into the marine waters when the sediment disturbed, and might have negative effects on water quality such as increasing the chances of algal bloom or accumulation of contaminants inside organisms.
10.6.2.3 In many reclamation projects, associated land-based construction works might also have potential impacts on fisheries mainly due to sediments carried by site runoff, which could also increase the suspended solids load in the water bodies and the subsequent sedimentation impact, and also, to a lesser extent, wastewater from various construction activities.
10.6.2.4 Besides these activities, sewage generated by the workforce on vessels or construction sites might also cause water quality impacts but would be, if any, at an extremely small scale. There is also an increased risk of small-scale oil or chemical (construction works solvent) spills from construction sites or vessels (due to the increased number of vessels working in the area).
10.6.2.5 Generally, degradation of water quality mainly due to increases in suspended solids or decrease in dissolved oxygen might affect fish and other aquatic fauna, including fish species and their juveniles, which obtain oxygen from the water and would have the risk of gill blockage by high level of suspended particles or suffocation by low oxygen level.
10.6.2.6 In the present Project, a reclamation of 145ha for TCE PDA and Road P1 (Tung Chung – Tai Ho Section) would be needed (Figure 10.13). A number of alternative construction methodologies have been critically examined in order to minimize the potential impacts caused by the reclamation. After considering all the options such as fully dredged, partially dredged and non-dredged methods for seawall construction and reclamation, non-dredged method for both the seawall construction and reclamation are recommended. By adopting non-dredged method, the water quality impacts caused by suspended solid or sediment plumes will be minimised. This construction method also minimizes the generation of dredged materials, and finally reduces the potential of water quality impact near the disposal facilities.
10.6.2.7 Nevertheless,
the construction work would still require filling work which would still
inevitably generate suspended solids.
Besides, the filling process would also generate pore water from the
sediment. For the marine construction
works, quantitative water quality modelling was performed to predict the
changes of water quality parameters during construction phase. The
construction phase cumulative water quality impacts caused by concurrent projects
(including marine works from 3rd Runway and Contaminated Mud Pit at East Sha
Chau (CMP)) have also taken into account in the modelling. The predicted values
are compared to widely adopted water quality criteria as detailed in Water
Quality Assessment, for determining the compliance (detailed water quality
modelling results are presented in Section 5 of this EIA study).
Relevant Water Quality Sensitive Receivers
10.6.2.8 A number of
water quality sensitive receivers (WSRs) were established for water quality
modelling and assessment. The locations of some of those WSRs are at or near
the fisheries sensitive receivers identified in the present FIA (Figure 10.12), and the results of water quality modelling at
these WSRs are considered relevant with the assessment on impacts to fisheries
resources. WSR 20 - Ma Wan Fish Culture
Zone and WSR 42 – ARs at Sha Chau are set up for the two known fisheries
resources and the parameters at these two WSRs could be applied to assessment
of impacts to them.
10.6.2.9 There was
no specific WSRs set for the important
spawning ground of commercial fisheries resources which covers the waters from the Brothers
to Lung Kwu Chau in North Lantau waters, but three WSRs are located at the
eastern, middle and western sides of the spawning ground, i.e. WSR 06 – Coral Communities at the Brothers, WSR
26 – Future seawater intake at Hong Kong International Airport (East), and WSR
10 – Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park. These WSRs could represent the Important spawning ground of commercial
fisheries resources. In addition, WSR 06 is close to the proposed
location and could also represent the ARs to be deployed at the proposed Marine
Park at the Brothers.
10.6.2.10 Similarly,
five WSRs which are originally set for ecological assessment purposes could
present the five embayment in North Lantau waters which might be spawning and nursery
grounds, namely WSR 22b – Tai Ho Wan (Inner), near Tai Ho Stream SSSI; WSR 27 –
San Tau Beach SSSI; WSR 29 – Hau Hok Wan (Horseshoe Crab Habitat); WSR 30 – Sha
Lo Wan (Horseshoe Crab Habitat); WSR 31 – Sham Wat Wan (Mangrove and Horseshoe
Crab Habitat).
Suspended Solid
10.6.2.11 The water
quality modelling results (see Section
5.5.5) indicated that even under the unmitigated scenario, exceedance of SS
criteria is only observed at WSR 22c (Tai Ho Wan Inlet (outside)) in the bottom
layer in construction month 15 during wet season. The highest depth-average SS
elevation (i.e. 4.5 mg/L) is predicted at WSR 22c (Tai Ho Wan Inlet (outside))
in the bottom layer. The predicted
maximum elevations in SS at all other WSRs achieved full compliance of SS
levels as compared to its corresponding criteria level, for different stages of
construction phase (i.e. construction month number 15, 21, and 31
respectively). Adverse water quality impact is not anticipated at all other WSRs
(including the WSRs relevant with fisheries resources mentioned above, see Tables 5.28a-c; at WSR 20 Ma Wan Fish
Culture Zone, the depth-average is all 0 mg/L in dry season and 0, 0, 0.01 mg/L
in wet season for month 15, 21 and 31, respectively).
10.6.2.12 As exceedance
of SS levels is observed at WSR 22c (Tai Ho Wan Inlet (outside)) for the unmitigated Scenario (i.e. Scenario 03a) is observed, silt curtain is proposed
to contain the sediment (i.e. Scenario 03b), with the removal efficiency of
floating single silt curtain is taken as 45% (which is a typical value adopted in the previous EIA studies, such as
HZMB EIA). The predicted maximum elevations in SS under mitigation
measure at observation points for construction month number 15, 21 and 31
respectively are presented in Section
5.5.6. Full compliance with SS criteria at identified WSRs has been
predicted after the implementation of mitigation. Adverse water quality impact
is not anticipated. Similar to the Scenario 03a result, the highest SS
elevation (i.e. 2.48 mg/L) occurs at WSR 22c (Tai Ho Wan Inlet (outside)) in
the bottom layer in construction month 15 of wet season. With the
implementation of mitigation measures, the SS elevation is within its
corresponding criteria level of 3.6 mg/L. In this scenario, the WSRs relevant with
fisheries resources mentioned above would not have exceedance neither (see Tables 5.29a-c). The depth-average at
WSR 20 Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone basically remain unchanged, still be all 0 mg/L in dry season and all 0 mg/L in wet
season for month 15, 21 and 31.
10.6.2.13 Besides, good site
practices would still be recommended to minimize any adverse impacts due to the
construction works. As discussed in Section 5,
in general, dredging work will be avoided as far as possible for all
reclamation works and non-dredged reclamation will be adopted. Although the
filling process would still generate certain suspended solids, the majority of
the construction phase impacts would therefore have been avoided. Stone columns will also be installed prior to
seawall erection. According to the Environmental Project Office (ENPO) and
their ongoing EM&A programme (Mar 2012 to May 2013) under the HZMB project,
satisfied performance in terms of water quality was observed during stone
column installations.
10.6.2.14 When cumulative impacts from
concurrent projects, including New Contaminated Mud Marine Disposal Facility at
Airport East / East Sha Chau Area, are considered (i.e. Scenario 03c),
exceedance on the predicted maximum elevations in SS is observed at WSR 04 (Marine
Parks at Brothers and Tai Mo To (Dolphin Habitat)) and WSR 06 (Coral Communities at the
Brothers) in surface, middle,
bottom layers as well as depth-averaged, in both dry and wet seasons in 15, 21
and 31 month (see Tables
5.30a-c). WSR 06 is located within the spawning ground
in North Lantau and near the new ARs to be deployed in the proposed Marine Park
at the Brothers, and adverse water quality might affect the functions of the
area as spawning ground or the performance of the new ARs.
10.6.2.15 When comparing Scenario 03b with
Scenario 03c, the exceedance is due to the sediment released from CMP, but not
from the present project (see Section
5.5.7). The SS contribution from the present project of the
mitigated scenario to the cumulative SS concentration with concurrent projects is around
2%. Furthermore, it
should be noted that the maximum disposal rate in the EP of the CMP either
backfilling or capping work have been adopted in this cumulative assessment in
order to introduce conservative assumptions in the assessment. The SS release
rate in East Sha Chau (ESC) CMPs is calculated based on the upper limit of 600
tonne/day (26,700 m3/day for backfilling only) in EP (EP-427/2011/A) (see Section 5.5.3). From the latest CEDD
information, the maximum total SS release rate estimated for ESC CMPs is 158
tonne/day, which includes dredging, backfilling and capping, and is around 3.8
times lower than the upper limit of the EP condition for backfilling/capping
600 tonne/day. The modelling is thus a very conservative assessment and not
likely to occur in the real operation practices of the CMPs. In the real
situation, the rate of backfilling and capping will be kept review and such
exceedances are unlikely to occur. And thus impacts on the spawning ground in North Lantau or the new ARs to be deployed in the proposed Marine Park at the Brothers are also unlikely. In this case, the other WSRs relevant with
fisheries resources mentioned above would not have exceedance (see Tables 5.30a-c). The depth-average at
WSR 20 Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone basically remain unchanged, still be 1.56,
1.56, 1.56 mg/L in dry season and 1.33, 1.32, 1.33 mg/L in wet season for month
15, 21 and 31, respectively.
10.6.2.16 Based on
the present information, the programme of the marine work for Tung Chung
project and 3RS will not be overlapped, but as a Sensitivity Scenario, a
further modelling was conducted for the cumulative SS elevation to consider the
potential slippage of construction programme of 3RS. Under this sensitivity
scenario, exceedance on the predicted
maximum elevations in SS are observed at WSR 06 (Coral Communities at the Brothers) and WSR 25 (Cooling water intake at Hong Kong
International Airport (North)) (see Section
5.5.7.6). The SS level at WSR 04 (Marine Parks at Brothers and Tai Mo
To (Dolphin Habitat)) does not exceed in the
sensitivity scenario, because the hydrodynamics is changed and the extent of SS
plumes released from ESC CMPs towards the Brothers are also changed. Again, the
exceedance at WSR06 (Coral Communities at the Brothers) is due to CMP project,
but the exceedance at WSR 25 (Cooling water intake at Hong Kong International
Airport (North)) is contributed by 3RS construction. In both cases, the
exceedances are not caused by the proposed Project. As stated in Section 5, 3RS EIA has already recommended additional
mitigation measures such as double silt curtains and/or silt screens around the
intakes for WSR 25. Similar with the previous scenario, the present assessment
has adopted a very conservative assumption which is not likely to occur, the
predicted exceedance in WSR 06 and WSR 25 is thus unlikely. In this
case, all other WSRs relevant with fisheries resources mentioned above would
not have exceedance (see Tables 5.30d-f).
The depth-average at WSR 20 Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone basically remain
unchanged, still be 1.69, 1.68, 1.68 mg/L in dry season and 1.13, 1.13, 1.14
mg/L in wet season for month 15, 21 and 31, respectively.
10.6.2.17 The western Hong Kong waters are in estuarine
conditions and characterized by high background levels of suspended solids due
to the proximity to the Pearl River estuary. Marine fauna including fish
species in the western waters are inhabiting an environment subject to
estuarine influences, and thus should be able to adapt to a high SS
environment, and the fish has developed some adaptation behaviour (e.g.
clearing of gills, swimming to clear areas) to tolerate such environment. Therefore, they are not expected to be
severely impacted by the water quality impacts caused by the construction
works. The potential impact due to suspended solid is ranked as Minor. As mitigation measure has been
proposed under Water Quality Assessment, no other specific mitigation would be
required.
Sedimentation Rate
10.6.2.18
For sedimentation rate, the predicted maximum daily sedimentation rates
at all WSRs are well within the
criterion of 200 g/m2/day under the unmitigated scenario (Scenario
03a), mitigated scenario (Scenario 03b) cumulative impact scenario (Scenario
03c), and sensitivity scenario with 3RS at all WSRs (including the WSRs relevant with fisheries
resources mentioned above, see Table
5.31a-c). At WSR 20 Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone, the predicted maximum sedimentation
rate ranges from 0.00-0.01 g/m2/day in dry season and 0.01-0.04 in
wet season in month 15, 21 and 31 under unmitigated (Table 5.31a), is 0.00 g/m2/day in dry season and ranges
from 0.00-0.02 in wet season in month 15, 21 and 31 with mitigation (Table 5.31b), ranges from 12.30-12.42 g/m2/day
in dry season and 11.89-11.90 in wet season in month 15, 21 and 31 with
mitigation and concurrent projects (Table
5.31c), and ranges from 13.06-13.25 g/m2/day in dry season and 10.70-10.77
in wet season in month 15, 21 and 31 in the sensitivity scenario (with
mitigation and concurrent projects and 3RS slippage) (Table 5.31d). Hence, adverse water quality impact due to sedimentation is
not anticipated, and no significant impact on fisheries resources is found.
Dissolved Oxygen Depletion
10.6.2.19 The oxygen depletion exerted by the SS elevation is also calculated in the water quality modelling. It is anticipated that the oxygen depletion at all WSRs will be less than the detection limit of 0.1mg/L. Thus the DO depletion at all WSRs (including the WSRs relevant with fisheries resources mentioned above, such as WSR 20 Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone and also other WSRs located within the important spawning ground such as WSR 06 Coral Communities at the Brothers, WSR 26 – Future seawater intake at Hong Kong International Airport (East), WSR 10 Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park, and also the WSRs at the 5 embayment, see Table 5.32a-c) will be insignificant (see Section 5.5.7) , and no significant impact on fisheries resources is found.
Nutrients and Contaminants
10.6.2.20 As non-dredged reclamation method
will be adopted, nutrients and contaminant
releases from seabed sediment during dredging has much been prevented. But
there might be a small-scaled release from pore water test during filling. The potential release of contaminant from this source was assessed by
examining the pore water analysis results and the dilution factor, the total
concentrations of contaminants and nutrients (the predicted As, TKN, NH3-N, UIA,
Total P and Ortho-P concentrations) due to construction at the representative
WSRs (including WSR 06 Coral Communities at the Brothers Island, WSR 20 Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone, WSR
27 San Tau Beach SSSI, WSR 42 Artificial Reef at Sha Chau) comply with the
proposed criteria (see Table
5.33b). Although
exceedance of TIN under WQO is observed (including some WSRs relevant with
fisheries sensitive receivers such as WSR 06, WSR27, and WSR 42, the exceedance
is due to high TIN level in background from Pearl River estuary, rather than
from the present Project. Indeed, 0.68, 0.62, and 0.72 mg/L of TIN are
predicted at WSR 06, WSR27, and WSR 42, under the high level background of 0.63,
0.58 and 0.71 mg/L. This means that the contribution from the present Project
only ranges from 0.01 – 0.05 mg/L. WSR 20 Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone however does
not show any exceedance of TIN. As the high TIN conditions are already part of
the background environment of Pearl River Estuary, fish species occur in this
area should not be affected by this parameter. Thus, adverse impact due to release of
contaminants on WSRs is not anticipated. The potential impact on
fisheries sensitive receivers due to nutrients and contaminants is ranked as Insignificant.
Spillage, Sewage from works forces and Waste
Water from Land-based works vessels
10.6.2.21 Pollutants or chemical spillage from the works vessels might occur, but the magnitude is not expected to be significant and should be transient.
10.6.2.22 There would be some land-based construction
works in the later stages of TCE PDA and Road P1 reclamation. Sewage from
workforce, wastewater from various construction activities, and accidental spillage of works site
chemicals might also potentially cause water quality impact but would be, if any,
in a very smaller scale.
10.6.2.23 As in the case of land-based works at TCE PDA and Road P1, the construction works of TCW might also potentially impact marine water habitats near the potential development areas, mainly due to site surface runoff which might enter water courses and then finally enter marine water, especially during rainstorm. The surface runoff might be polluted by sedimentation from site surfaces; earth working areas and stockpiles, wash water from dust suppression sprays and wheel washing facilities; and chemicals spillage such as fuel, oil, solvents and lubricants from maintenance of construction machinery and equipment.
10.6.2.24 From the information presented in the water quality assessment (Section 5), it is noted that good site practice and precautionary measures for controlling site runoff will be implemented as part of the water quality mitigation. On construction sites, as part of site practices, standard temporary drainage system and chemical toilets will be provided. The potential water quality impacts due to land based works including site runoff, sewage from workforce, wastewater from various construction activities, and accidental spillage would be controlled through the implementation of suitable site facilities. By adopting the best management practices, it is anticipated that the impacts of general site operation will be reduced to satisfactory levels before discharges, and no adverse water quality impacts would be anticipated from land-based construction works. Hence, the potential impact due to spillage, sewage from works forces and waste water from land-based works is ranked as Insignificant.
10.6.2.25 With the implementation of these mitigation measures, no adverse water quality impacts would be anticipated from land-based construction works. While the water quality impacts as a result of the marine reclamation works, it has been demonstrated in above sections that with the non-dredged method and mitigation to be adopted, exceedance at most of the locations of fisheries sensitive receivers are not predicted. The limited exceedances found are mostly attributed to concurrent projects or the background levels, rather than the present Project. It is anticipated that the potential water quality impact on Tung Chung Bay, Tai Ho Wan, spawning grounds for fisheries resources in North Lantau waters, Ma Wan FCZ, ARs at Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park, as well as the new ARs to be deployed in the committed Brothers Islands Marine Park will be all at acceptable level.
Disturbance
on Fishing Operations due to Marine Traffic of Works Vessels
10.6.2.26 The fishing operation will be disturbed during the construction phase. The marine construction works would involve marine working vessels. In the present Project, the majority of works vessels would be those for transportation of filling materials, and the works vessel number is not high even in the peak works period. The works programme of the proposed reclamation is expected to cover a duration of about 6 years from 2017 to 2023 (see Table 2.32). Within the 6 year reclamation works programme, in accordance with the Marine Impact Assessment, the majority of marine works, as well as vessel traffic, will be conducted in the first 5 year time between 2017 and 2022, with the peak construction period (mainly for filling) from mid-2018 to end of 2019 (with about 42-56 marine works vessels per day induced by the present Project). But other than this about 1.5 years of peak period, the daily marine works vessel number would be much lower, ranging from 6 - 29 vessels per day only. Hence, the marine traffic in the area would not have substantial increase. In addition, there will be some vessels which will have equipment on board, but these vessels would be stationary and/or moving within the reclamation works area surrounded by the perimeter silt curtains, and thus they would not generate marine traffic disturbance after they enter the works areas. Marine traffic for workers of the reclamation site would not be expected significant as the present reclamation is a nearshore site and land access is available.
10.6.2.27 In the vicinity of the reclamation areas in TCE PDA and Road P1, fishing operations might be disturbed by the increased marine traffic of working vessels for the Project. About 10-50 no. of large fishing vessels were operating in the reclamation for TCE PDA while less than 10 large fishing vessels in the reclamation for Road P1, and about 50-100 no. of small fishing vessels were operating in the vicinity of the proposed reclamation areas (see Figures 10.4a & b). As the majority of fishing vessels operating in the vicinity are small fishing vessels, these small fishing vessels would have higher flexibility in their operations and less sensitive to disturbance from marine traffic. Given the flexibility of those small vessels, the disturbance impact on fishing operation would be Minor, and no mitigation is required.
Disturbance
on Fisheries Resources and Fishing
Operations associated with filling materials and
dredged materials
10.6.2.28 Besides the impacts on water quality at the reclamation site, there might be secondary impacts related to dredging and filling, including marine disturbance during the importation and transportation of filling materials and dredged materials, and the locations for collection of filling materials and for the dredged material disposal. The reclamation of TCE PDA and Road P1 is located at the middle part of North Lantau waters, to the south of the HKBCF reclamation which has recently conducted. In the HKBCF construction, marine travel routes varied with the materials to be transported. Sandfill and rockfill were imported from Mainland, and the routes were from the western Pearl River Estuary, via the western Hong Kong waters boundary, to the HKBCF site, while the public fill materials were from a few locations in Hong Kong, and the routes were either from the north direction or the east direction. It is anticipated that the marine travel routes for the future TCE PDA and Road P1 reclamation would also involve marine travel routes from different directions subject to the types of materials to be transported. This will increase the marine traffic volume along the travel routes and there may be a risk of potential water quality impacts along the transportation routes and adjacent waters if the filling materials runoff to the marine waters during transportation.
10.6.2.29 As part of the good site practices, the fill materials on the barges should be properly loaded to avoid any overflow of materials. The bottom openings of the hoppers should be properly maintained. With the implementation of these good site practices, the potential impact due to transportation of filling materials is considered be Minor. The travel routes of those vessels mostly follow the existing marine traffic routes in Hong Kong, and thus should not pose additional disturbance impacts on fishing operations.
10.6.2.30 In Hong Kong, disposal of dredged mud could only be conducted in designated spoil grounds and is subject to permit controls under the Dumping at Sea Ordinance. The potential impacts due to the dredged material transportation and the disturbance to the locations for dredged material disposal. As non-dredged construction method will be adopted for the present Project, the dredged material produced will be very limited and the impacts due to the dredged material transportation and the disturbance to the locations for dredged material disposal are considered to be Insignificant.
10.6.3
Operation phase – Direct impacts
Permanent
Fishing Ground Loss
10.6.3.1 The Reclamation footprint will constitute the operation phase permanent fishing ground loss (Figure 10.13) and thus permanent fishing ground loss. Among the major project elements, TCE PDA and Road P1 (Tung Chung – Tai Ho Section) would involve reclamation, while other major elements such as TCW-PDA, service reservoirs, and sewer pipeline networks are all land-based. Besides these major elements, the berthing area of the proposed marina is included as part of the TCE PDA reclamation, while the waterfront promenade would be constructed above marine waters and would not involve marine works.
10.6.3.2 The TCE PDA is mostly on a new reclamation and will cause a direct loss of coastal waters habitat (water column and subtidal soft-bottom seabed) within the proposed reclamation. Currently, the boundary of the RODP demarcates the +5.5mPD (i.e. the copeline of the reclamation). Due to the inclined seawall, with toe berms and necessary scour protection at gradient of approximately 1:2, the reclamation will take up a larger area size at the level of the High Water Mark (which is lower than the copeline level), i.e. 120.5 ha of coastal waters. This is also the demarcation level adopted for future gazette plans. Similarly, if descending again with the inclined seawall, the area size covered by the reclamation will be further expanded when below water surface. The actual footprint area on the seabed where the bottom of the seawalls intersects the seabed will be the largest (with 11.5 ha additional seabed loss), i.e. about 132ha (Figure 10.13), and thus a permanent loss of fishing ground.
10.6.3.3 There will be a carriage road Road P1 (Tung Chung – Tai Ho Section) starting from the eastern side of TCE PDA, then running along the artificial coastline of the North Lantau, and finally connecting to existing/future road system at Siu Ho. The road will be at-grade form. If the at-grade road could be accommodated on the existing land areas, direct impact will be caused on existing urbanised/disturbed habitat and it only results in a replacement of habitats of the same type. However, there is not sufficient space on existing land areas for the road, a narrow reclamation along the artificial coastline would thus be required for the at-grade road, and it is expected that the reclamation size for this road would be about 8.6 ha at High Water Mark level. Similarly, the footprint on the seabed will be larger than 8.6 ha, and is expected to be 13ha (Figure 10.13) (with 4.4 ha additional seabed loss). This makes the permanent fishing ground loss reaching 145 ha.
10.6.3.4 In addition to the fishing ground loss caused by the reclamation footprint, there will be a marina within TCE PDA which will also cause fishing ground loss during operation phase. The site formation of the marina (such as breakwater) has been included as part of the TCE reclamation footprint (i.e. 132ha) above and will be constructed together with the TCE PDA reclamation, and does not need additional reclamation works. This proposed marina, which will be operated by future operator after small scaled works for the construction of the berths, will cover 4.2 ha marine waters in area size and will provide 95 berths for leisure vessels. Though the berthing area of 4.2 ha within the marina will not be an actual loss of marine waters, the area is assumed not available for fishing activities after commencement of construction. And thus there will be an additional 4.2 ha of operational phase fishing ground loss (Figure 10.13).
10.6.3.5 The confirmed operational phase impact on fisheries from the proposed development is the permanent loss of 149.2 ha of fishing grounds (about 145 ha marine waters lost from reclamation footprint, and another 4.2 ha marine waters within the marina, though not physically lost, but not available for fishing activities). There will be no restricted areas (other than marina) established around the future development, and no further area not available for fishing activities or additional fishing ground loss.
10.6.3.6
When compared with the 1,651 km2 (approximately
165,100 ha) of Hong Kong’ total marine waters (EPD 2013) which is mostly available for fishing,
the permanent fishing ground loss (about 149.2 ha)
caused by the Project is considered to be of minor proportion
(approximately 0.09 %). Although
the fishing ground loss is about 149.2
ha, areas of the permanent fishing ground loss
are of low production output according to Port
Survey (2006). Production of the grid cell covering TCE PDA and Road P1 Extension is ranked as low to very low (50-100 kg/ha and
<=50 kg/ha). The
maximum loss from the about 149.2 ha would be only 14,920
kg per year. When compared with the 160,789 tonnes of fisheries production in 2014
(Information from AFCD website, 2015), the
magnitude of the impact is not severe due to the low production rate.
10.6.3.7 This impact, given the low production from this area, is considered Minor. No specific mitigation is needed. It should be noted that eco-shoreline has been proposed to mitigate the loss of the marine habitat in Chapter 9 of this EIA Report. It is expected that the ecological functions provided by the eco-shoreline, which aims to mitigate the loss of the general marine habitat, could also benefit fisheries species.
10.6.3.8
For
the potential loss of spawning grounds of fisheries resources, the TCE PDA and
Road P1 Extension are about 2 km away from the
known spawning grounds at North Lantau waters, and also would not
encroach any coastal embayment in North Lantau including Tung
Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan, there will be no direct loss caused by the proposed
reclamation.
10.6.3.9 The construction of waterfront promenade will be conducted above high water mark and it will not constitute marine works or thus loss of marine waters.
Change of
Fishing Operation Locations due to Reclamation
10.6.3.10
The reclamation would result in a loss of 149.2 ha seabed
area. Fishermen originally use the
waters as fishing grounds would need to shift their operation locations to
other locations/areas. Similar to the construction phase, waters offshore to
Tung Chung New Town where the proposed reclamation is located only constituting
a small portion within their operation areas. As discussed in the construction
phase above, waters offshore to Tung Chung New Town where the proposed
reclamation is located only constitute a portion within their operation areas.
Alternative fishing grounds are available outside this area but within their
usual operation areas. Hence, the influences to the fishermen in the North
Lantau homeports including Tung Chung and Sha Lo Wan would not be severe and
the impact is considered Minor
and mitigation is not required.
10.6.4
Operational phase – Indirect impacts
Changes in Hydrodynamics and Marine Water Quality
10.6.4.1 During the operational phase, the presence of the reclamation of TCE PDA and Road P1 would affect the tidal flow and currents in the area, and thus would have potential impacts on the hydrological regime, which in turn would affect water quality parameters at different locations. Besides, the water quality model would also consider the impacts from the surface run-off discharged from the reclamation into the neighbouring water. The major pollution load due to the project will be the road runoff from both TCE and TCW development, These non-point source pollution loading due to the present Project was incorporated into the water quality modelling in operation phase (see on Pollution Load Inventory under Section 5.6.9). It is also noted that all the sewage generated from the additional population and employment would be pumped to Siu Ho Wan Sewage Treatment Works, of which the design plant capacity is 180,000m3/day and it is anticipated to be able to cater for the increased sewage generated from the project, for treatment before discharge. The operational phase cumulative water quality impacts caused by concurrent projects have also taken into account in the modelling.
10.6.4.2 Tung Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan are nearer to the Project and sensitive to water quality. Hydrodynamic simulations were performed for the operational phase flow rates and water quality. The changes from the Do-nothing Scenario (Scenario 01) and the operation phase (with reclamation) Scenario (Scenario 02) were compared. A comparison between the two scenarios provides an indication of how the reclamation will affect the hydrodynamic regime. According to the hydrodynamic modelling results in Section 5, for the key hydrodynamic parameters at 1) Airport Channel, 2) BCF South, 3) Airport North and 4) Ma Wan (which could represent Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone), it is observed that the trend for with project scenario are similar to that of without project scenario. There are insignificantly change in hydrodynamics for Airport North and Ma Wan, as these two channels are far away from the development. This may also imply that there would be no significant change at Ma Wan FCZ. However there are observable changes at Airport Channel and BCF South due to the TCE PDA and Road P1 reclamation. The changes in momentary flow and accumulated flow suggest that there may be change in flushing of the water body, but the changes do not represent significant change in flow discharge in absolute terms, and more importantly the water quality result does not show significant change in this Airport Channel and BCF South despite the flow change. Therefore, it is not anticipated that the flow reduction in Airport Channel and BCF South will affect the water quality in this area. And the changes might not be significant for the marine fauna in the area as the salinity in estuarine brackish waters is always under high fluctuations.
10.6.4.3 Other hydrodynamic parameters like flow velocity and flow directions have no significant changes. Change of flow directions near the Project Site during dry and wet seasons at both flood and ebb tides are insignificant with the reclamation. For flow velocity, there is no significant change in maximum velocity during dry and wet seasons at WSR 04, WSR25, WSR30 (representing embayment of Sha Lo Wan) and WSR31 (representing embayment of Sham Wat), which are far away from the development (see Table 5.37). At WSR 22b Tai Ho Wan Inlet (Inside) (representing embayment of Tai Ho Wan), there is no change in the flow as it is controlled mainly by tidal flow. There is slight decrease in flow magnitude of WSRs near the development such as WSR 27 San Tau Beach SSSI (representing embayment of Tung Chung Bay) and WSR 29 Hau Hok Wan (representing embayment of Hau Hok Wan) in wet season. However, the change of water quality due to project is small. For example, the percentage change of salinity, depth averaged DO and SS at WSR 27 San Tau Beach SSSI in wet season are -0.1%, 3.5%, 1.4% respectively and at WSR 29 Hau Hok Wan are 0.6%, 2.9%, 1.1% respectively. These anticipated changes might not be significant for the marine fauna in the embayment as these parameters in estuarine brackish waters are always under high fluctuations. The potential impact is ranked as Insignificant.
10.6.4.4
Further
water quality regime modelling has
been conducted. The simulations of water quality impacts under Do-nothing and Operation (ultimate development including all
planned projects in the vicinity) (Scenario 01 and 02) has been conducted. The overall water quality
is affected by the pollution loads, as a result of the pollution load
inventory. The major pollution sources would be the runoff from Pearl River and
loading from Siu Ho Wan STW and Pillar Point STW. Additional input from the
proposed Project is mainly from the surface runoff. These loadings are
considered to be minor on comparing to the loading from Pearl River and STW
discharges.
10.6.4.5
The comparison results of the following parameters, salinity, DO, BOD5,
SS, TIN, unionized ammonia (UIA), and E.coli
at representative WSRs in the vicinity of the Projects under Scenario 01 and
Scenario 02 are presented in Chapter 5 Water Quality (see Section
5.6.9) and summaries below.
Salinity
10.6.4.6
The results of depth- averaged salinity between Scenario 01 and Scenario
02 at representative WSRs in both dry and wet seasons indicate that the
difference in salinity are within the WQO criteria (10% of the base case) at the representative WSRs.
Dissolved
Oxygen (DO)
10.6.4.7
By comparing the annual depth-averaged DO level and
the near-bottom DO levels between Scenario 01 and Scenario 02 at representative
WSRs, it is found that the depth-averaged DO levels and the near-bottom DO
levels at representative WSRs would be within the WQO (the WQO for DO is depth
average > 4mg/L and bottom > 2mg/L).
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5)
10.6.4.8
By comparing Scenario 01 and Scenario 02, the annual depth averaged BOD5 at
representative WSRs are either in compliance with WSD criteria, or little
difference due to implementation of the project.
Suspended Solids (SS)
10.6.4.9
The depth-averaged SS between Scenario 01 and Scenario 02 at
representative WSRs indicate that the difference in SS is within the WQO criteria
or within the WSD
criteria (for seawater intakes) at all WSRs.
Total Inorganic Nitrogen (TIN)
10.6.4.10
For annual TIN levels between Scenario 01 and Scenario
02 at WSRs, most of the
WSRs comply with the WQO in TIN criteria of 0.5mg/L. At WSR 10 (Sha Chau and
Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park). exceedance of the annual mean depth-averaged TIN
criteria is observed under the project scenario, which is in 0.53 mg/L. For the
without project scenario, exceedance of the annual mean depth-averaged TIN
criteria is also observed at WSR 10 by the same magnitude (the difference between two
scenarios is zero, i.e. no change). This
suggests that the Tung Chung reclamation will have insignificant effect on the
TIN. The high TIN level is due to the background from Pearl River estuary. For
fisheries resources, as the predicted TIN level is similar with the current
environment and the proposed Project will have insignificant effect on the TIN, there
will not be any significant impact.
UIA (Unionised Ammonia, NH3)
10.6.4.11
The UIA levels between Scenario 01 and Scenario 02 at representative
WSRs in dry and wet seasons show that the depth-averaged UIA at representative
WSRs would be within the WQO.
Sedimentation
10.6.4.12
Sedimentation rate in units of m/year is derived for Scenario 01 and
Scenario 02. Sedimentation is predicted to increase by less than <0.4 mm per
year at Tung Chung estuary and coast of TCE reclamation after implementation of
the project. This difference is considered to be insignificant and is unlikely
to lead to any adverse impacts on WSRs. For other locations, there would be no
appreciable change in sedimentation rates after implementation of the
project.
E. coli
10.6.4.13 The annual E. coli levels between Scenario 01 and Scenario 02 at representative WSRs in dry and wet seasons are compared. The E. coli levels are within the WQO criteria which is 610 count/100ml for WSR 20 (Ma Wan FCZ). For those criteria not applied, the changes are indeed very small, mostly zero and with reduction in some WSRs. No adverse impacts are anticipated due to the implementation of the project. In general, the results showed that there are no obvious change of minimum and maximum pollutant concentrations at the concerned WSRs due to the development of the Project when compared to the without project scenario. The annual variations of these pollutants along time between with and without project scenarios are quite alike, it could be concluded that no adverse water quality impacts are anticipated due to the development of the Project. The potential impact due to abovementioned parameters is ranked as Minor. Hence, mitigation measures are not required during operational phase.
10.6.4.14
Pollutants or chemical spillage from the vessels in marina might occur,
but the magnitude is not expected to be significant given the small number and
the small sizes of the leisure vessels, and should be transient.
Storm
water runoff and sewage effluent discharge into marine waters
10.6.4.15 During the operation phase, there will be surface runoff from the two PDAs. The surface runoff will be collected by drainage system and finally discharged into the marine environment. The TCE PDA will be a newly reclamation land. Additional non-point source loading will be due to surface runoff from the reclamation land. Runoff might carry pollutants on road surface such as dust, oil.
10.6.4.16 Under normal condition, runoff will not be generated in low rainfall intensity. However, the worst scenario to water quality will take place during the first flush under heavy rainstorm events. If polluted runoff is discharged into the marine waters, there might be potential impacts to fisheries sensitive receivers. However, both the TCE and TCW PDAs are planned for residential and commercial uses only, not involving any industrial uses. Large amounts of contaminants are not likely, and silt-grease traps will be provided as part of standard drainage system design which will reduce the contaminants in the collected runoff.
10.6.4.17 Runoff will be intercepted by properly designed and managed silt traps at appropriate spacing so that common roadside debris, refuse and fallen leaves etc. can be captured before discharge. In order to minimize the impact, best management practices should be implemented. The drainage outlets road/open area should be cleaned regularly especially prior to the storm season. Manual methods and mechanical means such as vacuum sweeper/truck equipped with side broom to increase removal efficiency of pollutants are the common practices. The collected pollutants would be tankered away for off-site disposal at landfill sites. After the removal of the pollutants, the pollution levels from stormwater would be much reduced.
10.6.4.18 With the implementation of silt traps and road cleaning, the impact due to surface runoff is not significant.
10.6.4.19 Given the high ecological value of Tung Chung Stream and Tung Chung Bay, the amount of water being discharged to Tung Chung Stream and eventually into Tung Chung Bay has been one of the key considerations throughout the design process. According to the design information, the current catchment area for Tung Chung Stream is approximately 11 km2. After the implementation of the proposed TCW, the catchment area would remain almost the same. This insignificant change in catchment area would ensure that the average water flow being discharged into Tung Chung Stream within TCW and finally Tung Chung Bay would remain similar as the current situation. Furthermore, in TCW PDA, Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) which include sophisticated design with wetland-type retention ponds, will serve a majority of the PDA, and could thus protect Tung Chung Stream as well as to minimise pollutants before the discharge finally going into surrounding marine waters. No adverse water quality impact on fisheries due to runoff is anticipated.
10.6.4.20 In order to minimize the impact, best management practices should be implemented. Proper drainage systems with silt traps should be installed, e.g. road gullies with silt traps should be incorporated in later detailed design. Runoff will be intercepted by properly designed and managed silt traps at appropriate spacing so that common roadside debris, refuse and fallen leaves etc. can be captured before discharge. At the drainage outlets, the Project Proponent or the delegated operation parties should manage the road/open area cleaning prior to the occurrence of a storm. Moreover, it is recommended each of the cleaning events should be carried out during low traffic flow period, preferably using either manual methods or mechanical means such as vacuum sweeper/truck equipped with side broom, which is to sweep road sludge and debris into the suction nozzle to increase the removal efficiency of pollutants. The collected pollutants would be tankered away for off-site disposal at landfill sites. After the removal of the pollutants, the pollution levels from stormwater would be much reduced.
10.6.4.21 Sewage from the future TCE PDA and also the land-based TCW PDA will be collected by sewerage systems. Furthermore, village sewerage system will be provided to serve the existing villages in Tung Chung Valley. All sewage collected will be transferred to the existing Siu Ho Wan Sewage Treatment Works (SHWSTW) for treatment complying water quality standard, and the sewage effluent will be discharged via the outfalls of SHWSTW. The design plant capacity of Siu Ho Wan STW is 180,000m3/day. It is anticipated that the Siu Ho Wan STW is able to cater for the increased sewage generated from the project. There will be no new sewage effluent discharge points at either the TCE PDA or TCW PDA. No adverse water quality impact on fisheries due to sewage disposal is anticipated.
Sewerage Pumping Stations and Prevention of Emergency Discharge
10.6.4.22 New
sewerage pumping stations are proposed for the development. The estimated
sewage flows for the proposed and upgraded sewage pumping stations are
presented in the Section 6 on Sewage
and Sewerage. The sewage pumping stations will collect the sewage from the PDA
and convey the sewage to the Siu Ho Wan Sewage Treatment Works.
10.6.4.23 In some
other projects, in case of operational failure of the sewerage pumping
stations, raw sewage might bypass the wastewater treatment unit and be directly
discharged into the nearby marine waters. For the protection of ecological
sensitive receivers of Tung Chung Stream, Tung Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan, there
will be no emergency discharge at any sewage pumping stations for the present
Project in both TCW PDA and TCE PDA.
10.6.4.24 The
following mitigation measures and additional provisions are proposed to
enhance the sewerage network reliability and minimize the environmental impacts
due to system failure or in case of emergency situations:
· 100% standby pumping capacity within each SPS, with spare pump up to 50% pumping capacity stockpiled in each SPS for any emergency use;
·
Twin rising mains;
·
Dual-feed power supply;
·
Emergency storage facilities up to 6-hours ADWF
capacity; and
·
Emergency communication mechanism amongst relevant
government departments.
10.6.4.25 With the implemented mitigation measures, emergency discharge from sewage pumping stations to the nearby water courses or marine waters is not anticipated.
10.6.4.26 Furthermore, in order to prevent pipe bursting, it is proposed to adopt high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe for proposed gravity sewers and rising mains. As gravity sewers will not be pressurized, they carry no risk of bursting. Further protection on proposed rising mains with concrete surround will be provided to mitigate the risk of bursting. With the above proposed measures, bursting discharge is not expected and no adverse impact on fisheries due to bursting discharge is anticipated.
Flushing
of Fresh and Salt Water Service Reservoirs
10.6.4.27 As
discussed in Chapter 2, the proposed freshwater and salt water
service reservoirs would be located near to the two existing
freshwater service reservoirs up in the terrain west of Chek Lap
Kok New Village. Under normal situation,
there is no discharge from the service reservoir to the nearby water body. As
part of the necessary maintenance tasks, these reservoirs would occasionally
need to be flushed for cleaning but the frequency is very
remote. Similar procedures are applicable for all services
reservoirs. During flushing, some amounts of water would be discharged via the
washout pipes at a controlled manner.
The current design has allowed the flushing water to be discharged into
the channelized section of Wong Lung Hang. The discharged water would follow
the channelled section and reach the estuarine water body to the east of Sha
Tsiu Tau, which is brackish water with a varying salinity. Hence, given the
amount of flushing water to be discharged is not significant and the frequency
of discharge is very low, and compliance with WPCO for discharge of
wastewater will be ensured during the operation of any reservoir flushing, it
is considered that those flushing water would not cause significant changes to
the water quality in the vicinity of Sha Tsiu Tau.
Disturbance on Fishing Operations due to Marina
10.6.4.28 A marina is included as part of the TCE PDA. During the operational phase, there will be marine traffic induced from the vessels utilizing this marina. There are concerns on the disturbance impacts caused by marine traffic of the capture fishing operations in the vicinity and North Lantau waters. This marina is targeted for leisure vessels, which usually have a lower traffic frequency than commercial or fishing vessels, and the proposed marina only provides 95 berths, and thus the marine traffic volume should not be high and the magnitude of the potential marine traffic impact would be low. Leisure vessels are not belonged to high-speed vessels and thus would not cause severe disturbance for fishing activities. Besides, these leisure vessels leaving or entering the Marina would also need to follow the navigation route imposed by the pier of TM-CLKL. It is therefore not expected that the marine traffic due to the marina would cause significant impacts during the operation phase.
Maintenance Dredging for the Proposed Marina
10.6.4.29 Maintenance dredging will be carried out to allow vessels to berth within the marina at low tide and to enhance navigational safety. Maintenance dredging for the proposed marina usually to be conducted for every 1-3 years. Derrick lighter with small grab capacity of approximately 2m3 will need to be employed due to the shallow water depth and limited space inside the marina as well as the limitation on anchorage length. Based on the area of marina of 42,000m2 and sedimentation rate of 0.4mm per year predicted from the model, the predicted volume of dredged material would be relatively small as compared with the construction phase impact. As the SS release would be within a semi-enclosed bay and deployment of silt curtain, the dispersion of SS would be constrained locally. This impact on fishing operations and resources would be Insignificant.
10.7.1 Concurrent Projects
10.7.1.1 In order to assess the cumulative impacts, a review of best available information at the time of preparing this EIA report to identify a number of other projects that are undergoing planning, design, construction and/or operation within the construction and/or operation period for this Study has been conducted and a list of the concurrent projects identified at this stage is provided in Section 1.9 of this EIA report, with Figure 1.4 showing the locations of these concurrent projects. Among the concurrent projects, it is not all of them relevant with fisheries. Some projects would have their marine works finished before the present Project construction (e.g. HKBCF), and thus not relevant with cumulative impacts in construction phase in particular water quality and fisheries resources. Some other projects would not cause permanent marine habitat loss (e.g. Contaminated Mud Pits at East Sha Chau and Contaminated Mud Pits at South of the Brothers), and thus not relevant with the cumulative impacts of permanent fishing ground loss and hydrodynamics in operational phase.
10.7.1.2 The table below (Table 10.1) summarises the relevancy of these concurrent projects with fisheries. A total of 26 concurrent projects, which are based upon the 20 projects presented in the Project Profile for the present Project (PP-523/2015) and amended in accordance with the latest information, are included in the table, and their relevancy with fisheries are examined individually.
10.7.1.3 For the contributions/influences related to water quality, as the water quality impact assessment has already considered the relevant projects during both construction phase (mainly the sediment release), and operation phase (mainly the influences on hydrodynamics and pollution loading), the assessment on fisheries in above sections which have made reference to water quality results have already addressed the potential cumulative impacts related to water quality, and thus those impacts would be briefly recapped but not discussed in details again in this section.
Table 10.1 Concurrent
projects and relevancy with fisheries
|
Item |
Concurrent Projects |
Programme |
Potential cumulative impacts (Construction Phase) |
Potential cumulative impacts (Operational Phase) |
|
1 |
Construction of additional sewage rising mains and rehabilitation of the existing sewage rising main between Tung Chung and Siu Ho Wan |
Start – 2016 Complete - 2025 |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
|
2 |
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge - Hong Kong Boundary Crossing
Facilities ((HZMB HKBCF, being constructed) |
Start – 2011 Complete - 2016 |
Not relevant with fisheries as most of the marine works to
be completed by 2016 |
Relevant with cumulative fishing ground loss |
|
3 |
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge - Hong Kong Link Road (HZMB HKLR,
being constructed) |
Start – 2012 Complete - 2016 |
Not relevant with fisheries as most of the marine works to
be completed by 2016 |
Relevant with cumulative fishing ground loss |
|
4 |
Tuen Mun Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL, being constructed) |
Start – 2011 Complete - 2018 (*It is anticipated that
the key construction elements for the southern and northern connection would
be substantially completed by 2016, with the anticipated commissioning date
of the northern connection in 2018) |
Not relevant with fisheries as most of the marine works anticipated to be substantially completed by 2016 |
Relevant with cumulative fishing ground loss |
|
5 |
Proposed New Contaminated Mud Marine Disposal Facility at Airport East / East Sha Chau Area |
Operation from 2012-2023 |
Relevant with fisheries, as the operation overlapped with Tung Chung
Reclamation programme. Sediment release rate included in construction phase
WQ. |
Not relevant with fisheries; no contribution to cumulative fishing ground loss. But the bathymetry
included in Water quality impact assessment |
|
6 |
Integration of Siu Ho Wan and Silver Mine Bay Water Treatment Works |
Start – 2013 Complete - 2018 |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
|
7 |
Organic Waste Treatment Facilities Phase 1 (OWTF) |
Start – 2014 Complete - 2016 |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
|
8 |
Possible Lantau Logistics Park |
Not available, assumed to be in operation by Yr 2026 for WQ purposes |
Not relevant with fisheries as no implementation programme. |
Relevant with cumulative fishing ground loss |
|
9 |
Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport
into a 3-Runway System (3RS) |
Start – 2015 Complete - 2023 |
Relevant with fisheries, as the construction overlapped with Tung
Chung Reclamation programme. |
Relevant with cumulative fishing ground loss |
|
10 |
Further Landscape Enhancement
to North Lantau Highway (NLH) |
N/A |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
|
11 |
Planned developments in the
existing Tung Chung New Town such as residential developments at Tung Chung
Area 27, Area 39, Area 54, Area 55 and Area 56 and hotel development at Tung
Chung Area 53a |
Start – 2013 Complete - 2019 |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
|
12 |
Greening Master Plans for New Territories South West – Investigation, Design and Construction |
N/A |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
|
13 |
North Commercial District (NCD) of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) |
Start – 2015 Complete - 2019 |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
|
14 |
Dredging, Management and Capping of Contaminated Sediment Disposal Facility to the South of The Brothers |
Operation from 2012, completed by 2017 |
Not relevant with fisheries, as the operation completed by
2017. |
Not relevant with fisheries; No contribution to cumulative fishing ground loss. |
|
15 |
Marine Park in the Brothers
Islands |
Start – 2014 Complete - 2016 |
Not relevant with fisheries cumulative impacts; Positive for fisheries resources |
Not relevant with fisheries cumulative impacts; Positive for fisheries resources |
|
16 |
Topside Development of HZMB
HKBCF |
N/A |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
|
|
Cumulative Environmental Impact
Assessment Study for the Three Potential Nearshore Reclamation Sites in the
Western Waters of Hong Kong |
|
|
|
|
17 |
-
Sunny Bay Development |
N/A |
Not relevant with fisheries as no implementation programme. |
Relevant with cumulative fishing ground loss |
|
18 |
-
Siu Ho Wan |
N/A |
Represented by LLP which is a
worse case |
Represented by LLP which is a
worse case |
|
19 |
-
Lung Kwu Tan reclamation |
N/A |
Not relevant with fisheries as no implementation programme. |
Relevant with cumulative fishing ground loss |
|
20 |
Harbour Area Treatment Scheme Phase 2A (HATS 2A) |
Start – 2008 Complete - 2016 |
Not relevant with fisheries. No contribution to potential cumulative impact on construction phase
water quality |
Not relevant with fisheries; No contribution to cumulative fishing ground loss. |
|
21 |
Providing Sufficient Water Depth at Kwai Tsing Container Basin and
its Approach Channel (KTCB) |
Start – 2013 Complete - 2016 |
Not relevant with fisheries. No contribution to potential cumulative impact on construction phase
water quality |
Not relevant with fisheries; No contribution to cumulative fishing ground loss. |
|
22 |
Cross Boundary Hub in Siu Ho
Wan |
N/A |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
|
23 |
Proposed Leisure and
Entertainment Node at Sunny Bay |
N/A |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
|
24 |
Proposed Marina at TCE |
Start – 2024 Complete - 2030 |
Not relevant with fisheries, as the site formation has been considered in the TCE
reclamation, and the construction of berth only involves minor works within
its boundary |
Potential impacts on fishing activities due to marine traffic of the
vessels |
|
25 |
Proposed Sports Ground at TCE |
Start – 2024 Complete - 2030 |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
|
26 |
Proposed Railway Stations at
TCE and TCW |
To be operated by 2026 and 2024 respectively |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
Land-based Project, not relevant with fisheries |
10.7.2
Cumulative
Impacts during Construction
Phase
10.7.2.1 Construction Phase Marine Water Quality - Dredging and dumping
might cause deteriorations of marine water quality. If marine projects in particular reclamation
projects involve dredging, the seabed sediments will be disturbed and
pollutants inside sediments might be released. Similar, dumping of disposal
materials, especially contaminated mud, might also increase the pollutant
levels in the marine waters. Currently there are a few reclamation projects
being conducted or proposed in North Lantau waters. There are also two
contaminated mud disposal sites in North Lantau waters. The construction phase cumulative impacts were
considered with other projects which will have their construction programmes
concurrent with the present Project. It
is anticipated that the on-going HZMB construction works would be finished
before the construction programme of the present Project and thus no overlap with
the present Project will be anticipated. In the water quality assessment, the
sediment release rates for 3RS, Contaminated Mud Pit at East Sha Chau (CMP) and
Tung Chung reclamation (TCE PDA and Road P1 (Tung Chung – Tai Ho
Section)) are taken into
account. Based on the filling programme, the sediment release rate
during construction is predicted, and
it is found that there is no overlapping with the 3RS construction.
However, overlapping with CMP activities is identified, and the
cumulative impact from CMP has been incorporated in the construction phase water
quality impact assessment. Furthermore, as a sensitivity
scenario, scenario of slippage of 3RS construction
programme has also been
assessed in the water quality assessment. The assessment on fisheries in
above sections which have made reference to water quality results have already
addressed the potential cumulative impacts
related to water quality, and thus those impacts would not need to detail here.
10.7.2.2 To summarise, the water quality results indicated
that no exceedance would be caused by the present Project when water quality
mitigation measures in place. When
concurrent projects are considered (both 3RS normal programme and 3RS
slippage), however, exceedance in SS are found in limited locations (up to 2
WSRs), but which are caused by sediment release from concurrent projects either CMP or 3RS, rather than from the present project. The contribution from the present
project on the suspended solid level is very low, only below or up to 2% of the cumulative SS level. Indeed,
it should be noted that the water quality assessment has taken a very
conservative approach, and the exceedances are predicted under the assumption
of the worst case scenario, i.e. the maximum sediment disposal rate allowed
under the Environmental Permit of the CMP. This is however not likely to occur under normal CMP operation
of which dumping of sediments are controlled and reviewed by
authorities.
This cumulative impact is thus considered as Minor.
10.7.2.3 Disturbance
from Works Vessel Marine Traffic - The traffic of works vessels, if in substantial
numbers, will also affect the fishing activities. During the construction phase,
construction barges and other vessels will be required during the formation of
the reclamation
for the present Project.
There might be a cumulative
disturbance impact on fishing activities due to the marine traffic from different projects
if their marine works programmes are overlapped. Among the concurrent
projects, only two projects have marine works overlapped with the present
Project, i.e. CMP at East Sha Chau and 3RS. Other concurrent projects are
either to be completed before the present Project such as HZMB, or without any
programme at this stage such as the three potential reclamations under CEIA.
For the CMP at East Sha Chau, the marine traffic caused could be mostly the
vessels for dumping, which however would be determined by the demands of the
applicants and thus could not be forecasted at this stage. As stipulated in the
3RS EIA, during peak construction periods from 2016 Q2 to 2017 Q4, the
number of construction vessel movements to and from the west of the works area
being 120,
and to and from the east of the works area being 60. The works programme of the proposed
reclamation is expected to cover a duration of about 6 years from 2017 to 2023
(see Table 2.32). Within the 6 year reclamation works programme, in accordance
with the Marine Impact Assessment, the majority of marine works, as well as
vessel traffic, will be conducted in the first 5 year time between 2017 and
2022, with the peak
period of marine works (mainly for filling) from mid-2018 to end of 2019 (with about 42-56 vessels
per day, see Table 10.2 below), which will not overlap with that of
3RS. During the non-peak duration of 3RS
construction, the average number of construction vessel movements would be much lower, i.e. to and from the
west of the works area being 42, and to and from the east of the works area
being 22. While for the
present Project, in non-peak duration, the daily vessel number would range from
6 to 29 (see Table 10.2 below). The cumulative vessel number would be
around 120 (about 56 form the present project and 64 from 3RS) during the peak
duration for the present project between mid-2018 and end of 2019, and should
be lower for a large portion of the construction programme (i.e. less than 30
from the present project and 64 from 3RS). As a worst case scenario, if there
is a slippage of 3RS construction programme and the peak durations of both
projects overlapped, the worst case scenario cumulative vessel number would be
around 236 (about 56 form the present project and 180 from 3RS). There is a
potential of cumulative disturbance impacts on fishing
activities.
10.7.2.4 It should be noted that the predicted major route
for works vessels in 3RS would be mostly outside Hong Kong waters. In 3RS, the
bulk (about two third) of barging volume has been directed to arrive at the
works area principally via the west (those vessels will leave Hong Kong waters
shortly after leaving the 3RS reclamation site), only the remaining will
utilise the existing fairway in Hong Kong waters such as Urmston Road. For the
present Project, as it is predicted that public fill is the majority of fill
materials, most of the transportation vessel trips would be between TCE PDA and the two public fill stations, one in Tune Mun
and one in TKO. One of the major routes would thus be the shorter trip between the TCE PDA and Tuen Mun, which would have low utilization of
Urmston Road and little overlap with the routes of 3RS works vessels. Regular
routes of works vessels are also proposed
as mitigation for controlling disturbance due to works vessels in both the
present project and the 3RS. All these
works vessel routes have to be approved by authorities (e.g. Works Vessel
Travel Route Plan for
the present Project) prior to commencement of construction, and will take into
account constraints, speed regulations, and good site practices, and will follow all
requirements of existing legislation. Indeed, in the real practices of
construction, the vessels will be scheduled to arrive the construction sites at
different time periods of a day, and thus the predicted daily numbers of
vessels in either projects would not all be present at the same time. Besides,
further mitigation measures have been proposed (including using
more larger sized barges, increase the proportion of land transportation, and
reuse of C&D materials, to
reduce part of the marine vessels trips and reduce the traffic volume. Given
the above, the potential cumulative disturbance impact on fishing
activities would be minimized
after the implementation of the measures to reduce marine traffic volume.
10.7.2.5 Therefore the present Project would only have very low contribution to the cumulative impact, including those on water quality and marine traffic.
Table 10.2 Estimation of Marine Traffic during the duration of
major marine works for reclamation (* the dates shown in this table are
for marine traffic estimation purposes, and subject to adjustment to meet the
actual commencement of the reclamation works programme)
|
Projects |
Duration |
|||||||||
|
2017 Q3 & Q4 |
2018 Q1 & Q2 |
2018 Q3 & Q4 |
2019 Q1 & Q2 |
2019 Q3 & Q4 |
2020 Q1 & Q2 |
2020 Q3 & Q4 |
2021 Q1 & Q2 |
2021 Q3 & Q4 |
2022 Q1 & Q2 |
|
|
Tung Chung Reclamation |
6 |
16 |
43 |
42 |
56 |
29 |
29 |
29 |
23 |
6 |
10.7.2.6 Cumulative Temporary Fishing Ground Loss -
Construction programme of 3RS will overlap with that for the present Project,
the temporary fishing ground loss due to 3RS construction will be 1,392ha,
together with the 200ha from the present Project, the cumulative temporary
fishing ground loss will be about 1,592 ha. When compared with the 1,651km2 of Hong
Kong total marine waters, which is mostly available for fishing, this
cumulative temporary fishing ground loss is considered to be of minor
proportion (less than 1%). And the duration will be
short, about 6 years of the entire reclamation works programme from 2017 to
2023. Hence, the temporary fishing ground loss is considered to be of minor
proportion, and the impact is ranked as Minor.
10.7.3 Cumulative Impacts during Operation Phase
10.7.3.1 Cumulative Permanent Fishing Ground Loss - Cumulative fisheries impacts were considered with other concurrent
projects in North Lantau waters. Among the proposed reclamations in North
Lantau waters (e.g. 3RS,
HKBCF, LLP), the reclamation under the present Project is of relatively smaller
scale, and is located at the location with low fisheries
production. It is thus
not considered that the present Project will have significant contribution to
the cumulative fishing ground loss impact.
Assessment on the
cumulative impact from various projects in North Lantau waters has
been addressed in the Three-runway system EIA Study, which will have the
largest contribution on fishing ground loss impact. In the 3RS EIA, a loss of
1,480 ha of fishing ground was anticipated from all concurrent projects in the
North Lantau waters, in which a considerable portion (49%) would be contributed
by the Three-Runway Project. The present Project
would only be a smaller contributor among all concurrent projects. This size of
anticipated total fishing ground loss is reviewed and updated with the latest
information in this EIA. Firstly, an additional 13ha due to Road P1 and 4.2 ha
due to the marina should be
included.
10.7.3.2 The Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment
Study for the Three Potential Nearshore Reclamation Sites in the Western Waters
of Hong Kong (CEIA) includes three proposed nearshore reclamation sites in Siu
Ho Wan, Lung Kwu Tan and Sunny Bay. These reclamation sites are considered as
concurrent projects in this study. For Sunny Bay, the reclamation layout in the
EIA Study Brief (ESB-272/2014) of Sunny Bay Development was adopted as the best
available information. For the Siu Ho Wan reclamation, the LLP reclamation
layout was adopted. Since the reclamation layout of LLP is larger than the Siu
Ho Wan reclamation layout, the incorporation of LLP layout has represented the
worst case scenario. These two proposed reclamations indeed have been
considered in the 3RS EIA and included in the cumulative fishing
ground loss presented
in 3RS EIA. The only exception is Lung Kwu Tan reclamation. For the Lung Kwu
Tan reclamation, the reclamation layout in CEIA (200-300ha) was adopted in the
present EIA. With this additional site
included, the loss of fishing grounds due to all concurrent projects in the North
Lantau waters will reach up
to about 1,800 ha. When
compared with the 1,651km2 of Hong Kong total marine waters, which
is mostly available for fishing, the permanent fishing ground loss (1,800 ha)
is considered to be of minor proportion (about 1%). The severity of the impact
should be similar with that concluded in 3RS EIA, i.e. a moderate impact, as the present Project would still be a small contributor among all
concurrent projects. The loss of 149.2ha fishing ground from the
present Project would be about 8.2 % of the anticipated cumulative fishing
ground loss.
10.7.3.3 This is a conservative assumption as it has
included the 180 ha of Container Terminal 10 Development at Southwest Tsing Yi
(CT10), which is not a concurrent project based on latest information but had
been considered by 3RS EIA as a worst case scenario. With regard to the
cumulative loss of fishing ground, the severity of the impact should be similar with
that concluded in 3RS EIA, i.e. a moderate impact, as CEIA study (see below section) has concluded
that the waters to be affected (including those affected by the newly added Lung Kwu Tan site) are of low to moderate
fisheries production in term of weight and value. Indeed
a considerable
portion (768ha out of the 1,800 ha, about 43 %) of the total area to be lost
would still be contributed by the 3RS. It is noted that 3RS has proposed
mitigation measures to compensate its contribution on the cumulative fishing
ground loss. The
contribution by the present Project on the cumulative fishing
ground loss is very
small. It is also considered the provision of eco-shoreline as an ecological
mitigation for the loss of the marine habitat will also benefit
fisheries species. Therefore,
there will be no significant residual impact for the cumulative loss of fishing
ground.
10.7.3.4 Fisheries Resources: In addition to a
direct loss of fishing ground, reclamation has also
affected the overall fisheries resources, which might potentially lead to a decrease in total production in the area. The fisheries
production in the reclamations of the present Project was low based upon AFCD
Port Survey 2006 data and verified by the present verification surveys, and
thus not likely to significantly contribute to the production
of the North Lantau area. 3RS, as the
major contributor to the cumulative fishing ground loss, has proposed fisheries
enhancement plan and Marine Park to compensate loss of fisheries resources.
Other concurrent projects are either nearshore reclamation or outside the high
production area.
10.7.3.5 A study on the cumulative impacts from three potential nearshore
reclamation sites has been conducted, including investigation of the cumulative
fisheries impacts. It is considered in the CEIA (AECOM 2014) that the major impact would be
the loss of fishing grounds by reclamation. However, the waters to be affected are of low to moderate fisheries
production in term of weight and value. It was
also revealed that there would be no direct loss of important spawning or nursery grounds, aquaculture sites or artificial
reefs from the three potential reclamation
proposals.
10.7.3.6 In North
Lantau waters, areas around Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau, the Brothers, and near
Tai O are of high fisheries production, up to 200-400 and 400-600 kg/ha (see
AFCD Port Survey 2006). These areas are either being currently protected by
designated Marine Park (such as Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park), or
will be proposed as marine parks (such as the marine park at the Brothers), and
thus are likely preserved.
10.7.3.7 Marine Water
quality - Major
projects currently under construction, including the TM-CLKL, HKBCF, HKLR and
HATS 2A are expected to be completed and in operation before or by end of Year
2016. For the Expansion of HKIA 3RS, it is anticipated to be commissioned by
2021/2022. The three
proposed nearshore reclamation sites in Siu Ho Wan, Lung Kwu Tan and Sunny Bay
under CEIA are also considered as concurrent projects in this study. For the projects Providing
Sufficient Water Depth at Kwai Tsing Container Basin and its Approach Channel
(KTCB) and MDF (South of The Brothers), these projects will not involve land
formation, but change in bathymetry. These projects are anticipated to be
completed by end 2016.
10.7.3.8 For hydrodynamics, as all above
concurrent projects will be completed by Year 2030, Year 2030 is
adopted as the assessment year for operation phase in this study. The results of the operational phase hydrodynamic modelling
works presented in Chapter 5 indicated no significant water quality
impact during the operational phase is anticipated.
10.7.3.9 For Pollution Loading, besides these concurrent projects, the modelling of operation phase water quality has also taken into account not only Siu Ho Wan STW which will receive the sewage from the present Project, but also other STWs. The model was updated with the effluent discharge from major STWs, including Siu Ho Wan STW, Pillar Point STW, Yuen Long STW, San Wai STW, Shatin STW, Tai Po STW, Stonecutters Island STW, and Sham Tseng STW in the North Western WCZ and Western Buffer WCZ, Victoria Harbour WCZ and Deep Bay WCZ, according to the latest information on design plant capacity and discharge license requirement for the pollution loads.
10.7.3.10 As in the case of construction phase cumulative marine water quality impact, the assessment on fisheries in above sections which have made reference to water quality results have already addressed the potential cumulative impacts during operational phase related to water quality, and thus those impacts would not need to be detailed here. In summary, there are insignificant changes in hydrodynamic conditions, while occasional exceedances in water quality are mostly due to the background level. The impact is ranked as Minor.
10.7.3.11 Marine Traffic - Potential cumulative disturbance impact from marine traffic on fishing operations during operation phase is considered. The proposed development includes a marina of 95 berths in TCE PDA. It is not expected the marine traffic due to the leisure vessels from the marina would cause significant impacts on fishing operations during the operation phase. Other concurrent projects would not expect to produce marine traffic in the areas close to the TCE PDA, and therefore it is unlikely there will be cumulative disturbance impact on fishing activities from the marina marine traffic.
10.7.3.12 The
present Project would only have very low contribution to the cumulative impacts during
the operation phase. It is
considered that the residual impact for the cumulative impacts on
fisheries due to the
present Project is insignificant.
10.8
Impact Avoidance, Minimisation and Mitigation
Measures
Considerations for Impact Avoidance
10.8.1.1 There is no fishpond or mariculture site within the Project area. The
proposed TCE PDA reclamation is not located
in waters of high fisheries production or fish fry
collection, and also away from other sites of fisheries importance such
as the spawning grounds for fisheries species in North Lantau waters and
existing or new ARs at Sha Chau Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park and the
proposed Marine Park at the Brothers.
Considerations for Impact Minimisation
10.8.1.2 Revealed from reviewed literatures, the marine waters within the Project area are not identified as important spawning or nursery grounds for commercial fisheries resources, or areas supporting high fisheries production. The reclamation in Tung Chung Bay for the PDA at TCW has been removed, and thus the total fishing ground loss has been much reduced. The nearest mariculture site is Ma Wan FCZ, which is about 10 km from the Project area.
Direct Impacts
10.8.1.3 The temporary loss of 200 ha of fishing ground during construction phase and the permanent loss of 149.2 ha of fishing ground during operation phase are both considered Minor and no mitigation is required.
10.8.1.4 It should be noted that provision of eco-shoreline is proposed under ecology (in Chapter 9 of the EIA Report) to mitigate the loss of general marine waters habitat due to reclamations. It is anticipated that the eco-shoreline will provide ecological functions for marine ecosystems, and it is expected that fisheries resources such commercial fisheries species will also be benefited.
10.8.1.5 The impacts of the changes of locations of fishing operationare considered Minor in both construction phase and operation phase and no mitigation is required.
Indirect Impacts
10.8.1.6 Disturbance on Fishing Operations - The potential disturbance on fishing operations due to the work-related vessel traffic flow during construction phase is considered Minor, while the potential disturbance due to the marina traffic during operational phase is considered as Insignificant. Furthermore, it is anticipated that control on work-related marine traffic, such as speed limits and regular routes, will be applied to the works vessels for the reclamation construction. With those restrictions, the areas with works vessels present will be reduced as they are limited to their regular routes, and the speed of these works vessels would not be high, the magnitude of any disturbance impact to fishing operations due to work-related marine traffic would thus be controlled. It should also be noted that measures to reduce the marine traffic, including using larger-sized barges and also land transportation of materials, have been recommended as mitigation for ecology, and could further reduce the potential disturbance impacts on fishing operations.
10.8.1.7 Marine Water Quality - The construction phase water quality assessment has been detailed in Section 5 of this EIA report, and the relevant sections have been quoted in the above sections on assessment of construction phase and operational phase indirect impacts related to water quality. The impacts are considered to be Insignificant to Minor. Occasional exceedances are mostly caused by either contributions from concurrent projects or the high background level. The mitigation measures for water quality impacts have been proposed in Section 5, and summarised below. No specific mitigation measure is required.
10.8.1.8 Non-dredged approach for the reclamation of TCE PDA and Road P1, has been recommended to minimise environmental impacts. However, while dredging work has been preferably avoided, filling work would be inevitable. There will be a perimeter silt curtain to the entire marine works area during the entire reclamation periods.
10.8.1.9 Should dredging be inevitable for element such as maintenance dredging of the marina, suitable mitigation measures to the dredging activities should be implemented. The maintenance dredging would be conducted in scheduled manner with much slower rate within a semi-enclosed bay. Together with the deployment of silt curtain, the dispersion of SS would be well controlled and constrained locally.
10.8.1.10 The dredged marine sediment may contain organic materials and lead to a decreased in dissolved oxygen. The above-mentioned mitigation measures for the dredging activities could also mitigate the DO depletion.
10.8.1.11 Re-suspension of seabed sediment might potentially incur the release of contaminants, if any, into the seawater. If contaminants are present in the seawater, they may eventually be taken up into food chains. Similarly the above-mentioned mitigation measures for the dredging activities could also mitigate for the potential release of contaminants during sediment dredging.
10.8.1.12 Similarly, mitigation measures should also be applied for the filling process which could also generate certain suspended solids.
10.8.1.13 Good Site Practices in construction phase – Section 5 has also detailed the good practices which shall be applied for the filling works, which are the largest potential sources for water quality impacts. 1) All reclamation filling works should be conducted within a leading seawall of 200m or enclosed by seawall. 2) A perimeter silt curtain should be installed during the entire reclamation periods. The integrity and effectiveness of all silt curtains should be regularly inspected. 3) The decent speed of grabs should be controlled to minimize the seabed impact. 4) Barges or hoppers shall not be filled to a level which will cause overflow of materials or pollution of water during loading or transportation. 5) Excess materials shall be cleaned from the decks and exposed fittings of barges before the vessels are moved. 6) Plants should not be operated with leaking pipes and any pipe leakages shall be repaired quickly. 7) Adequate freeboard shall be maintained on barges to reduce the likelihood of decks being washed by wave action. 8) All vessels should be sized so that adequate clearance is maintained between vessels and the seabed in all tide conditions, to ensure that undue turbidity is not generated by turbulence from vessel movement or propeller wash. 9) The works shall not cause foam, oil, grease, litter or other objectionable matter to be present in the water within and adjacent to the works site. 10) Water quality monitoring should be implemented to ensure effective control of water pollution and recommend additional mitigation measures required.
10.8.1.14 Besides the above good site practices for filling works, there are also good site practices for general construction works and sewage from workforce. Effluent monitoring should be incorporated to make sure that the discharged effluent from construction sites meets the effluent discharge guidelines. Good site practice and precautionary measures will also be implemented to avoid the potential impact due to site runoff.
10.8.1.15 Strict enforcement on no-dumping – Restrictions prohibiting dumping of rubbish, food, oil, or chemicals should be strictly enforced. This should also be covered in the contractor briefings.
10.8.1.16 Spill response plan - There will also be a spill response plan if vessels operating in the works areas will be transporting oil or other hazardous chemicals. The oil spill response plan will have specific provisions for protecting fisheries resources. Given these measures, the fisheries resources in the area would be protected.
10.8.1.17 Prevention of emergency discharge - For the protection of fisheries resources near TCE and TCW, there will be no emergency discharge from any sewerage pumping stations, the following mitigation measures and additional provisions are proposed to enhance the sewerage network reliability and minimize the environmental impacts due to system failure or in case of emergency situations:
· 100% standby pumping capacity within each SPS, with spare pump up to 50% pumping capacity stockpiled in each SPS for any emergency use;
·
Twin rising mains;
·
Dual-feed power supply;
·
Emergency storage facilities up to 6-hours ADWF
capacity; and
·
Emergency communication mechanism amongst relevant
government departments.
10.8.1.18 With the
implementation of these measures, emergency discharge from sewage pumping
stations to the nearby water courses or marine waters is not anticipated.
Furthermore, in order to
prevent pipe bursting, it is proposed to adopt high density polyethylene (HDPE)
pipe for proposed gravity sewers and rising mains. As gravity sewers
will not be pressurized, they carry no risk of bursting. Further protection on
proposed rising mains with concrete surround will be provided to mitigate the
risk of bursting. With the above proposed measures, bursting discharge is not expected
and no adverse
impact on fisheries due to bursting discharge is anticipated.
10.8.1.19 Regarding the maintenance dredging for the proposed marina, the volume of dredged material would be relatively small as compared with the construction phase impact. As the SS release would be within a semi-enclosed bay, the dispersion of SS would be constrained locally. Silt curtain should be deployed to reduce the sediment dispersion from the dredging inside the marina.
10.9.1.1 There will be a water quality monitoring programme for the construction of the project to safeguard the marine water quality in the area. There will also be a monitoring programme for the eco-shoreline which is an ecological mitigation in Chapter 9 of this EIA Report. The colonisation and establishment of fauna and/or flora on the eco-shoreline at TCE PDA reclamation will be monitored after the eco-shoreline is completed. As it is expected that this measure will also benefit fisheries species in the marine ecosystems, the monitoring programme will also include, besides ecological surveys, water quality monitoring and fisheries resource monitoring (in particular the recruitments of fisheries species). Audit requirements would follow those for water quality and general site practices. Other than these, no other specific fisheries EM&A programme would be required.
10.10
Residual Impacts of Fisheries
10.10.1.1 Residual fisheries impacts would be the permanent loss of 149.2 ha of low production fishing grounds in the coastal waters off Tung Chung New Town. Given the small proportion in fishing grounds in Hong Kong waters and the small contribution on Hong Kong fisheries production, as well as the implementation of the mitigation measures for water quality, the residual impact is considered acceptable.
10.11.1.1 The assessment area for the present FIA covers three WCZs, i.e. North Western WCZ, North Western Supplementary WCZ, and Western Buffer WCZ.
10.11.1.2 The assessment area of the present study covers most of the
waters in North Lantau and sites of fisheries importance identified include
fishing ground, important spawning ground between Lung Kwu Chau and the
Brothers, embayment along the coast of North Lantau, ARs in Sha Chau and Lung
Kwu Chau Marine Park and the proposed Marine Park at the Brothers, and Ma Wan FCZ.
10.11.1.3 Information from literatures such as Port Survey provides data for establishment of baseline conditions. Available information in approved EIA such as 3RS has also been incorporated. The fisheries verification surveys were conducted in reclamation areas at TCE PDA and near Road P1 (Tung Chung – Tai Ho Section), and the vicinity.
10.11.1.4 Approaches for avoidance and minimisation of impacts have been considered. During the EIA study, the original reclamation in Tung Chung Bay for TCW PDA has been removed, and thus the total reclamation size, and also fishing ground loss has been much reduced.
10.11.1.5 The proposed reclamations are located in areas of low fisheries production. And the number of fishing vessels utilized the reclaimed areas is not high and dominated by small fishing vessels. The reclaimed areas are also away from other sites of fisheries importance. The nearest mariculture site is Ma Wan FCZ, which is about 10 km from the Project area.
10.11.1.6 The construction and operation of the Project would cause certain fishing ground loss. During the construction phase, a 200 ha of marine works area will be established, and the marine works area is not available for fishing operations for an about 6 year duration from 2017 to 2023. During the operation phase, there will be inevitable permanent loss of fishing grounds due to the reclamation footprint and the berthing area within the future marina. A total of 149.2 ha fishing ground will be permanently lost. The impact is considered Minor during both construction and operation phases given the loss area is a minor proportion compared with the available fishing ground in Hong Kong waters and the loss area is not of high fisheries production rate. Eco-shoreline will be provided on the future reclamation seawalls as mitigation on marine ecology. But it is expected that fisheries species in North Lantau will also be benefited by the enhanced ecological functions.
10.11.1.7 Fishing vessels originally operated in the loss area will need to shift their operation locations. As the number of fishing vessels utilized this area is not high and alternative operation locations/areas are available, the impact is considered Minor during both construction and operation phases.
10.11.1.8 As fishing vessels in this area are dominated by small fishing vessels which are more flexible in their operations, the potential disturbance on fishing operations due to the work-related vessel traffic flow during construction phase is considered Minor, while the potential disturbance due to the marina traffic during operational phase is considered as Insignificant. Measures to reduce the marine traffic, including using larger-sized barges and also land transportation of materials, have been recommended as mitigation for ecology, and could further reduce the potential disturbance impacts on fishing operations.
10.11.1.9 The construction phase and operation phase water
quality assessment has been detailed in Section 5 of this EIA report, and the results have
been adopted for assessment of construction phase and operational phase
indirect impacts related to water quality. The magnitudes of the impacts range
from Insignificant to Minor. Occasional exceedances are
mostly caused by either contributions from concurrent projects or the high
background level. Mitigation measures for water quality impacts have been
proposed under water quality assessment.
10.11.1.10 For the
protection of fisheries resources near TCE PDA and TCW PDA, there will be no
emergency discharge from any sewerage pumping stations, and measures will be
implemented to enhance the sewerage
network reliability and minimize the environmental impacts due to system
failure or in case of emergency situations.
10.11.1.11 For cumulative impacts, a total of 26 concurrent projects are included, and their relevancy with fisheries is examined.
10.11.1.12 The present Project would only be a smaller contributor among all concurrent projects on the cumulative fishing ground loss. The loss of 149.2 ha fishing ground from the present Project would be about 8.2 % of the anticipated 1,800 ha cumulative permanent fishing ground loss, while there will be temporary loss of 1,592 ha fishing grounds due to marine works areas of the present Project and 3RS during construction phase.
10.11.1.13 For potential cumulative disturbance impacts from works vessels, the overlap of marine traffic with concurrent projects would be small and with the mitigation measures proposed to reduce part of marine traffic volume, he potential cumulative disturbance impact on fishing activities during construction phase would be acceptable. It is not expected that other concurrent projects would produce marine traffic in the areas close to the TCE PDA, and therefore it is unlikely there will be cumulative disturbance impact on fishing activities from the marina marine traffic during operation phase.
10.11.1.14 Permanent loss of about 149.2ha of fishing ground of low production rate would constitute the residual impact. Due to low to moderate number of fishing vessels and the limited fisheries production affected, the residual impact is considered acceptable. The operational phase hydrodynamic modelling works has also taken into account concurrent projects, and the results indicated no adverse water quality impact during the operational phase is anticipated. Additionally, with the implementation of good site practices and the recommended mitigation measures to minimise potential water quality impacts, construction activities, as well as general construction site drainage and sewage effluent from the construction workforce and other concurrent projects, are not anticipated to result in significant water quality impacts.
· AECOM 2014. Agreement No. CE14/2013 (CE) Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment Study for the Three Potential Nearshore Reclamation Site in the Western Waters of Hong Kong- Investigation: Executive Summary.
· AFCD 2006. Port Survey 2006.
· AFCD 2015. AFCD website.
· ARUP 2005, Agreement No. CE 23/2004 (CE) Lantau Logistics Park Development – Feasibility Study: Engineering Feasibility Study Report.
· ARUP 2009a. Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (EIA Register No: AEIAR-145/2009)
· ARUP 2009b. Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road (EIA Register No: AEIAR-144/2009)
· CCPC 2001. Agreement No. CE 62/98 - Consultancy Study on Fisheries and Marine Ecological Criteria for Impact Assessment. Prepared for Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, HKSAR Government.
· ERM 1998. Fisheries Resources and Fishing Operations in Hong Kong Waters.
· ERM 2000. Study on Sustainable Development for the 21st Century: Environmental Baseline Survey on Terrestrial Habitat Mapping and Ranking Based on Conservation Value. Final Report to the Planning Department.
· Green Power 2012. Press Release “The First Systematic Seahorse and Pipefish Survey in Hong Kong”.
· Maunsell 2009. Tuen Mun - Chek Lap Kok Link (EIA Register No: AEIAR-146/2009)
· Mott. 1998. Remaining Development in Tung Chung and Tai Ho Comprehensive Feasibility Study. Prepared for Territory Development Department.
· Mott Connell 2003. Ngong Ping Cable Car (EIA Register No : AEIAR-074/2003)
· Mouchel 2002. Tung Chung Road Improvement. (EIA Register No: AEIAR-061/2002)