8. FISHERIES Impact Assessment
8.2 Statutory Requirements and Evaluation Criteria
8.6 Evaluation of Impacts during Construction Phase
8.7 Evaluation of Impacts during Operational Phase
8.9 Potential for Cumulative Impacts
8.11 Monitoring and Audit
Requirements
8.1.1
This Section
presents an assessment of the potential fisheries impacts that could arise from
the construction and operation of the Project. Baseline conditions for
fisheries resources in the assessment area were identified from the latest
relevant literature. Potential direct, indirect, cumulative and residual
impacts on fisheries resources during the construction and operation phases of
the Project were identified and evaluated. Mitigation measures have been
recommended, where necessary.
8.2.1
The criteria for evaluating fisheries impact
assessment are laid out in Annex 9
and Annex 17 of the EIAO-TM, which is for providing
complete and objective identification, prediction and evaluation of potential
fisheries impacts arising from the Project. Annex 17 sets out the methodology
for assessment of fisheries impacts and Annex 9 provides the evaluation
criteria.
8.2.2
Other
local legislations that are relevant to this fisheries impact assessment
include:
ĄP
Fisheries Protection
Ordinance (Cap. 171) ĄV promotes the conservation of fish and other forms of
aquatic life within Hong Kong waters by regulating fishing practices to prevent
detrimental activities to the fisheries industry. The authority may also
make rules for the management and control of fishing in any fisheries
protection area, including but not limited to the specification of any zone
within any fisheries protection area and the prohibition of any fishing in the
specified zone.
ĄP
Water Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap. 358) ĄV aims
to control water pollution in waters of Hong Kong. Water
Control Zones (WCZs) are designated with individual water quality objectives to
promote the conservation and best use of those waters in the public interest.
ĄP
EIAO-TM ĄV Annex 17 sets out the methodology for
assessment of fisheries impacts, in order to provide objective identification,
prediction and evaluation of potential fisheries impacts arising from the
Project. Annex 9 provides evaluation criteria.
8.3.1
The assessment area for fisheries impact assessment
included all areas within a distance of 500 m from the
site boundaries of the Project, and the areas likely to be impacted by the
construction or operation of the Project. Special attention was given to pond
culture resources and activities, as well as any watercourses which served as
water sources for fishponds.
8.4.1
Collation and desktop review of available relevant
fisheries baseline data, e.g. EIAs and
other available relevant studies within or in the vicinity to the assessment
area, were
conducted. AFCDĄŚs annual reports and website provided the most
updated information on the development and trends of fisheries in Hong
Kong. The latest annual fisheries production was also provided. Potential
direct/indirect, short term/long term, on-site/off-site and cumulative
fisheries impacts arising from the Project were identified and evaluated, where
appropriate. Mitigation measures and monitoring and audit programme were
recommended, where necessary.
8.4.2
The criteria and guidelines
as stated in Annexes 9 and 17 of the EIAO-TM were followed for evaluating and
assessing fisheries impact arising from the construction and operation of the
Project.
8.4.3
Following the collation and
review of existing fisheries baseline information, relevant literature on
capture and culture fishes within and in vicinity of the assessment area are
listed in Table 8.1 below.
Table 8.1 - Baseline
Information of Fisheries Resources in the Assessment Area
|
Relevant
Literature |
|
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) Annual Reports (2009 ĄV 2018) |
|
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) Port Survey
2016/17 Report |
|
Yuen Long and Kam Tin Sewerage and Sewage Disposal Stage 1 Sewers,
Rising Mains and Ancillary Pumping Stations. Environmental Impact Assessment
Report. (DSD, 2002) |
|
Proposed Development at Fung Lok Wai, Yuen Long at Lot 1457 R.P. in
D.D.123. Environmental Impact Assessment Report. (Mutual Luck
Investment Limited, 2008) |
|
Construction of Cycle Tracks and the Associated Supporting Facilities
at Nam Sang Wai, Yuen Long. Environmental Impact Assessment Report. (CEDD,
2013) |
|
Hong Kong Fisheries Resources Monitoring Report (SCSFRI 2017) |
8.4.4
The validity of the information
compiled during the literature review has been assessed before adoption into
the current EIA study.
8.4.5
The collated information
was evaluated to identify any information gaps relating to the assessment of
potential fisheries impacts that may arise from the Project. In order to
obtain the most updated status of existing fishponds within the assessment
area, site visits were conducted.
8.5.1
Active and inactive fishponds located at Nam Sang Wai, Cheung Chun San Tsuen and
Tung Shing Lei fall within the 500 m assessment areas (refer to Figure 8.2) while oyster culture area (refer to Figure 8.1) is located approximately 5 km away from the Project Site in marine
waters of Deep Bay WCZ. Likewise, the fishing ground near Deep Bay is located
approximately 5.1 km away from the Project Site.
Pond Culture Fisheries
8.5.2
Existing available literature was reviewed to
provide baseline information of culture ponds within the assessment area. According to AFCD (2020a), fishponds are
present within the Deep Bay area, while there are no existing fish culture
zones within the Deep Bay WCZ.
8.5.3
The pond fish/ aquaculture
industry of Hong Kong is mainly centred in the northwest New
Territories. According to AFCD (2020a), local inland fishponds
covered approximately 1,131 ha in 2019. These ponds produced 2,278 tonnes
of freshwater fish amounting to HK$52 million. The vast majority of these farms engaged in polyculture and farmed species such as Bighead
Carp, Grass Carp, Common Carp and Silver Carp in combination with Tilapia or
Grey Mullet.
8.5.4
Fishpond farms have been
gradually declining in numbers since the 1970s, especially in the Deep Bay area
as these farms are being replaced by urban development. Table 8.2 presents the AFCD figures on fishpond area and annual fish
production in Hong Kong from 2009 to 2018.
Table 8.2 - Fishpond
Area and Annual Fish Production in Hong Kong from 2009 to 2018
|
Year |
Fishpond Area (ha) |
Annual Fish Production
(Tonnes) |
|
2018 |
1130 |
2500 |
|
2017 |
1132 |
2543 |
|
2016 |
1135 |
2543 |
|
2015 |
1140 |
2092 |
|
2014 |
1140 |
2001 |
|
2013 |
1150 |
2187 |
|
2012 |
1150 |
2306 |
|
2011 |
1130 |
2315 |
|
2010 |
1109 |
2190 |
|
2009 |
1120 |
2105 |
Source: AFCD (2019)
8.5.5
As the status of fishponds
could change, ground truthing was conducted under the current study to review
the existing condition of fishponds within the assessment area. A
map showing location and management status of fishponds within the assessment
area is provided in Figure 8.2.
8.5.6
During recent site visits
under the current study, both inactive fishponds and active fishponds with
aquaculture activities were identified within the assessment
areas. For the purpose of this study, these two types of fishponds
have been separated into two categories, active fishponds and inactive
fishponds (refer to Figure 8.2). Active
fishponds identified within the assessment area were actively managed for
culture fishery, experience periodic drainage for harvesting of fish, water
quality control, and adjustment of pond profiles. Bunds of these active
ponds were largely bare because of grass-cutting activities. Inactive
ponds are former fishponds that are no longer used or managed by fish farmers,
and fishes inside the ponds are not of commercial value and do not bring
economic income.
8.5.7
Fishing operations
including stocking, feeding and harvesting, the presence of aerators and the
maintenance conditions of the facilities along the pond bunds were used to
determine the status of fishponds (active or inactive). Active fishponds
were identified based on evidence of management conditions of the ponds and the
presence of fish farming materials and/ or equipment and fish farming
activities, while inactive fishponds lacked these characteristics.
8.5.8
Within the assessment area,
fishponds with a total area of 20.6 ha were recorded, including about
approximately 10.9 ha of active fishponds and 9.7 ha of inactive
fishponds. No ponds were recorded within the site boundary. Active
fishponds were mainly located to the east of Kam Tin River.
8.5.9
Direct rainfall was the major source of water for the
fishponds. During dry season, when ponds were drawn down, water was pumped
from one pond to another to conserve resources; while during wet season, ponds
might fill and drain into adjacent channels (Mutual Luck Investment Limited,
2008). There was no evidence that the modified watercourses served as
water sources for fishponds. Nonetheless, these watercourses, which were
drainage channels, were reported to be heavily polluted (DSD, 2002; Mutual Luck
Investment Limited, 2008; CEDD, 2013).
Oyster Culture
8.5.10 Oysters have been cultured along the intertidal mudflat of Deep Bay
in the north-western corner of Hong Kong for more than 200
years. Traditionally, oysters are cultured by the bottom culture method
with spat collected by laying rock, concrete tile or post as cultch on the mudflat
in May or June. Oysters are grown to marketable size on clutches, which are
embedded in the mud by fishermen of which oyster beds are formed. Clutches may
either be a concrete post, tile block or stone. The raft culture method was
most commonly adopted, and this is where oysters are placed in baskets and
suspended from rafts. Meat production of oyster in 2019 was about 117 tonnes
and valued at HK$14 million (AFCD, 2020a).
Capture Fisheries
8.5.11 The latest AFCD Port Survey 2016/17 (AFCD, 2018) provided the most
updated information on capture fisheries in Hong Kong waters, including
distribution of fishing operations in Hong Kong waters, and major types of fish
catch. In general, the highest fish yields in Hong Kong were obtained in the
south-eastern waters (e.g. Po Toi) and the southwestern waters (e.g. Cheung
Chau, Shek Kwu Chau and Soko Islands).
8.5.12 In 2019, the capture fisheries industry produced an estimated 123,000
tonnes of fisheries valued at about HK$2,800 million; this industry was operated by approximately 10,100 local fishermen with
5,030 fishing vessels (AFCD, 2020b). Fishing activities were mainly conducted
in the waters of the adjacent continental shelf in the South China
Sea. Main fishing methods included trawling, long-lining, gill-netting and purse-seining with the majority of the
total catch obtained through trawling. Trawling landed the
majority of the catch in Hong Kong waters prior to 31 December 2012,
after which a ban on trawling was implemented with the intentions of protecting
marine resources and ecosystem so that damaged seabed and depleted marine
resources can be rehabilitated. Some recent data on local capture
fisheries industry are summarised in Table
8.3 below.
Table 8.3 - Recent
Figures of Hong Kong Capture Fisheries Industry
|
Parameter |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
|
Fishing fleet size (No. of vessels) |
5030 |
5050 |
5150 |
5160 |
5050 |
4500 |
4000 |
4000 |
4000 |
3900 |
|
Local Fishermen engaged in capture fisheries |
10100 |
10200 |
10600 |
10800 |
10500 |
9400 |
8800 |
8800 |
8500 |
8200 |
|
Production (tonnes) |
123000 |
124000 |
127600 |
142775 |
145193 |
160789 |
170129 |
155230 |
170720 |
168000 |
|
Values of produce (HK$ million) |
2800 |
2800 |
2600 |
2565 |
2338 |
2530 |
2338 |
2317 |
2358 |
2100 |
8.5.13 According to the latest AFCD Port Survey 2016/17 (AFCD, 2018), 86% of
local fishing vessels were sampans, with an estimate number of 3,600 out of the
total number of vessels 4,170. Fishing operation within Deep Bay WCZ
was mainly supported by sampans. The capture fisheries data within
Deep Bay WCZ are summarised in Table
8.4.
Table 8.4 - Summary
of Capture Fisheries Data in Deep Bay WCZ
|
Parameter |
Deep Bay WCZ |
|
No. of vessels |
>0 ĄV 200 |
|
Adult fish production
in terms of weight (kg/ha) |
>0 ĄV 100 |
8.5.14 The number of fishing vessels operating within Deep Bay WCZ ranged from
more than 0 to 200 vessels. No vessels were recorded within the
waters east of Sha Kiu Tsuen, into which Shan Pui River discharges, while
number of vessels operating near Lau Fau Shan ranged
from more than 50 to 100. Most vessels were recorded near Black
Point, ranging from more than 100 to 200 (AFCD, 2018).
8.5.15 In terms of weight, >0 ĄV 100 kg/ha adult fish was produced within
Deep Bay WCZ. The weight of adult fish production near Lau Fau Shan was fairly low (>0 ĄV
50 kg/ha), while the weight of adult fish production near Black Point was low
(>50 ĄV 100 kg/ha) (AFCD, 2018).
8.5.16 No important spawning ground/ nursery ground for commercial fisheries
resources were identified within Deep Bay WCZ (AFD, 1998).
8.5.17 Table 8.5 shows the top ten fish families / groups of fish catch in Hong Kong
waters, and the ranking is based on the estimated weight of production of each
family / group of fish catch (AFCD, 2018).
Table 8.5 - Top Ten
Families / Groups of Fish Catch in Hong Kong Waters
|
Rank |
Family / Group |
Common Name of Fish Catch |
|
1 |
Mugilidae |
Mullet |
|
2 |
Clupeidae |
Sardine, Shad |
|
3 |
Carangidae |
Scad,
Jack |
|
4 |
Sparidae |
Seabream |
|
5 |
Sciaenidae |
Croaker |
|
6 |
Mixed squid |
Squid |
|
7 |
Mixed crab |
Crab |
|
8 |
Siganidae |
Rabbitfish |
|
9 |
Mixed shrimp |
Shrimp |
|
10 |
Platycephalidae |
Flathead |
8.5.18 AFCD monitored local fisheries resource to assess the changes in
fisheries resources after the implementation of the trawl ban and other
relevant fisheries management measures (SCSFRI 2017). Surveys were conducted at
various stations across four areas in Hong Kong, i.e. north-eastern,
south-eastern, south-western and north-western waters. The present waters of
assessment area fall within the north-western part of the AFCDĄŚs study area.
From the survey data between 2010 and 2015, the catches in north-western part
were mainly contributed, either in terms of abundance or biomass, by a number of commercial species from various families
including, Clupeidae, Leiognathidae,
Penaeidae and Sciaenidae.
8.5.19 As the oyster culture and capture fisheries are away from the Project
Site (i.e. > 4km), and due to the nature of present study, significant
impacts to water quality that affecting the oyster culture and capture
fisheries in Deep Bay are not expected. Hence, present fisheries impact
assessment mainly focused on the impacts on pond culture fisheries. The
relevant desktop information reviewed is considered sufficient for
evaluating the potential impact on
pond culture fisheries within the
assessment area. Therefore, no information gap on fisheries baseline
conditions within the assessment area was identified and fisheries
surveys were not necessary for the current EIA study.
Direct Impact
No Direct Impact on Sites of
Fisheries Importance
8.6.1
The proposed works would be confined to the works
area. There would be no loss of active/ inactive fishponds within the
assessment area. There would not be any loss of oyster culture area, or fishing
ground near Deep Bay.
Indirect Impact
Indirect Water Quality Impacts
8.6.2
Potential
indirect impacts on water quality of aquatic habitats in the vicinity of the
Project Site are anticipated, including construction runoff, groundwater
infiltration, changes in groundwater level as well as accidental spillage and
potential contamination of surface water and groundwater.
Construction Works and Construction Run-off
8.6.3
Wastewater
generated from general construction works and construction site runoff (e.g.
runoff and erosion of exposed bare soil and earth, earth working area and
stockpiles, etc.) could potentially pose indirect impacts on the water quality
of the adjoining modified watercourses, i.e. Shan Pui River and Kam Tin River,
as well as the adjacent ponds.
8.6.4
The
wastewater and construction site runoff is generally characterized
by high concentrations of suspended solid (SS) and elevated pH.
Release of uncontrolled site runoff would increase the SS levels and turbidity
in the nearby aquatic environment. The suspended particles could potentially
injure the aquatic organisms and clog their respiratory and feeding systems,
while the increased turbidity could reduce photosynthetic rate of aquatic
plants and affect feeding and other activities of fauna by hindering their
vision. The uncontrolled wastewater discharge and construction site runoff may
also contain a certain amount of grease and oil as well as concrete washings
and other grouting materials, which are strongly alkaline. Accidental spills of
oils and other chemicals from construction site could affect aquatic communities,
resulting in lethal / sublethal impacts (e.g. direct mortality, reproductive
retardation) on aquatic organisms.
8.6.5
Wastewater
generated from general construction works and construction site runoff could
potentially pose indirect impacts on the water quality of the adjoining
modified watercourses and adjacent ponds, thus affecting pond fish culture
activities. With the implementation of mitigation measures and good
site practices as detailed in Water Quality Chapter to
minimise the potential impacts on water quality from construction and
construction runoff to the nearby modified watercourse and ponds, no
unacceptable adverse water quality impact due to the construction of the
proposed works is anticipated. The fisheries impacts arising from
water quality deterioration due to construction works are expected to be minor.
Accidental Spillage and Potential
Contamination of Surface Water and Groundwater
8.6.6
The
use of chemicals such as engine oil and lubricants, and their storage as waste
materials has the potential to impact water quality if spillage occurs and
enters adjacent water environment. Waste oil may infiltrate into the surface
soil layer, or runoff into the nearby water environment, increasing hydrocarbon
levels. Groundwater pollution may also arise from the improper use and storage
of chemicals and petroleum products within the site area where groundwater
infiltrates into the area. Infiltration of groundwater may occur at area where
there are faults and / or fissures in the rock mass. Accidental
spillage and potential contamination of surface water and groundwater could
potentially pose indirect impacts on the water quality of the adjoining
modified watercourses and adjacent ponds, thus affecting pond fish culture
activities. With the implementation of mitigation measures and good
site practices as detailed in Water Quality Chapter to
minimise chance of accidental spillage and potential contamination of surface
water and groundwater, no unacceptable adverse water quality impact due to the
construction of the proposed works is anticipated. The fisheries impacts
arising from water quality deterioration due to accidental spillage and
potential contamination of surface water and groundwater are therefore expected
to be minor.
8.6.7
The
demolition and construction works are confined within the site
boundary. Uncontrolled discharge of site effluents, rubbish and
refuse generated from the construction works, however, could lead to
deterioration in water quality in the watercourses surrounding the
ponds. Despite the fact that oyster culture area and fishing ground
near Deep Bay are located at the downstream of Shan Pui River, with the
implementation of adequate site drainage and provision of sediment removal
facilities as described in Water Quality Chapter, it is anticipated
that unacceptable water quality impacts would not arise. Therefore,
no unacceptable adverse impacts on oyster culture area and fishing ground near
Deep Bay due to deterioration of water quality are anticipated.
Draw-down of Water Table, Disruption or
Disturbance of Pond Culture Related Activities
8.6.8
The
active fish ponds are mainly located to the east of
the Kam Tin River, which are in close proximity to the Project Site. However,
the Project Site near Kam Tin River will only conduct minor heightening works
of existing parapet wall, no earth works as well as the works at the channel
are required, draw-down of water table that cause disruption or disturbance to
pond culture related activities is not anticipated. On the other hand, although
earth works within the channel (Yuen Long Nullah) near Shan Pui River are
proposed, there are no active fish ponds within the assessment area near Shan
Pui River, and even the inactive fish ponds are away from Shan Pui River, the
potential impacts to the pond culture related activities due draw-down of water
table would be insignificant. However, it is of standard engineering
practices to provide waterproofing system and hydraulic
cut-off whenever deep excavation is required to avoid the ingress of
groundwater into excavation zone that the chance of water table
drawdown would be unlikely. No adverse impacts from potential
drawdown of groundwater table of ponds adjacent to Project site are therefore
anticipated.
Indirect impact
Water Quality Impacts
during Normal Operation
8.7.1
According to Water Quality
Impact Assessment, potential
water quality impacts during operational phase of the Barrage Scheme and the
revitalised YLN include:
ĄP
Pollution loads entering the channels (from polluted
upstream water, runoff from adjacent land and flood water; and
ĄP
Increase in suspended solids during maintenance of the
revitalised YLN.
8.7.2
Long
term reduction of pollution load into the channels is required to improve the
water quality in the YLN. The YLN currently receives some domestic waste
discharges and industrial effluent in the upstream, which eventually affects
the water quality of Deep Bay area and indirectly affects the fisheries
resources. However, during operational stage, those discharges will be reduced
due to the implementation of the improvement works from separate Projects
including improvement works of YLTN and Yuen Long South development. The level
of impact to fisheries resources will be less than the current situation.
8.7.3
The
proposed parapet walls along Kam Tin River will not generate any water quality pollution
impact during operational stage and fisheries impacts are not anticipated.
Overall
Summary of Fisheries Impact
8.7.4
In accordance with the EIAO-TM Annex 9 criteria, the
assessment of potential fisheries impacts in the absence of mitigation within
the assessment area are provided in Table 8.6.
Table 8.6 - Fisheries Impact on Active and
Inactive Fishponds within the Assessment Area
|
Criteria |
Active Fishponds within
the Assessment Area |
Inactive Fishponds within
the Assessment Area |
|
Nature of impact |
No direct fisheries impact. Potential indirect water quality impacts due to construction works and
construction runoff, accidental spillage and potential contamination of
surface water and groundwater during construction phase. |
|
|
Size of affected area |
Direct Impact No loss of fishponds. |
|
|
Indirect water quality impact Active ponds next to Kam Tin River adjacent to Project Boundary could
be potentially affected. |
Indirect water quality impact No inactive ponds are recorded adjacent to Project Boundary. The
nearest inactive pond is away from the nearest Project Boundary. No inactive
ponds are expected to be affected. |
|
|
Loss of fisheries resources
/ production |
No direct loss of aquaculture production during construction and
operational phases. |
|
|
Destruction and disturbance
of nursery and spawning grounds |
N/A |
|
|
Impact on fishing activity |
N/A |
|
|
Impact on aquaculture
activity |
Minor. Unmitigated fisheries impacts arising from water quality deterioration
due to land-based construction works are expected to be minor. |
Negligible, given no inactive ponds are located in
close vicinity of the Project Boundary. |
|
Overall impact before
mitigation |
Minor (1) |
Negligible |
Note:
(1)
Evaluation of impacts has taken into consideration
implementation of mitigation measures and good site practices as detailed in Section
5.
8.8.1
According to the guidelines
in Annex 17 of EIAO-TM, the general policy for alleviating fisheries impacts in
order of priority are avoidance, minimization and compensation approaches to
the maximum practical extent.
8.8.2
The project will not
encroach on any fishponds, oyster culture area or fishing ground near Deep
Bay. Mitigation measures and good site practices as detailed
in Water Quality Chapter that have been taken into
consideration in the evaluation of construction indirect impacts are summarised
below.
Minimization
Controlling Site Runoff
8.8.3
In order to minimize the potential indirect fisheries impacts due
to deterioration of water quality on the adjacent ponds as much as possible,
guidelines for handling and disposal of construction discharges as well as
appropriate mitigation measures and good site practices as detailed in Water
Quality Chapter to control runoff from the construction site and
prevent runoff and drainage water with high levels of suspended solids and oil
/ grease from directly entering the nearby fishponds. In particular, measures
and good site practices stipulated in the ProPECC PN 1/94 Ą§Construction Site DrainageĄ¨ and
in ETWB TC (Works) No. 5/2005 Ą§Protection of Natural Streams / Rivers from
Adverse Impacts Arising from Construction WorksĄ¨ to minimise surface
runoff and the chance of erosion should be followed to minimise potential
impacts to nearby fisheries resources. Relevant mitigation measures include:
ĄP
Construction works should be
programmed to minimize soil excavation in the wet season (i.e. April to
September). If soil excavation cannot be avoided in these months or at any time
of year when rainstorms are likely, temporarily exposed slope surfaces should
be covered e.g. by tarpaulin, and temporary access roads should be protected by
crushed stone or gravel, as excavation proceeds;
ĄP
Construction works close to
the inland waters should be carried out in the dry season as far as practicable
where the flow in the surface channel or stream is low;
ĄP
Open stockpiles of
construction materials (e.g. aggregates, sand and fill material) on sites
should be covered with tarpaulin or similar fabric. Intercepting
channels should be provided (e.g. along the crest / edge of excavation) to
prevent storm run-off from washing across exposed soil surfaces. Arrangements
should always be in place in such a way that adequate surface protection
measures can be safely carried out well before the arrival of rainstorm;
ĄP
Surface run-off from construction sites should be
discharged into storm drains via adequately designed sand / silt removal
facilities such as sand traps, silt traps and sedimentation basins;
ĄP
Earthworks final surfaces should be well compacted and the subsequent permanent work or surface
protection should be carried out immediately after the final surfaces are
formed to prevent erosion caused by rainstorms. Appropriate drainage like
intercepting channels should be provided where necessary.
ĄP
Good site practices should
be adopted to remove rubbish and litter from construction sites so as to prevent the rubbish and litter from spreading from
the site area. It is recommended to clean the construction sites on a regular
basis.
ĄP
Silt removal facilities, channels and manholes
should be maintained and the deposited silt and grit
should be removed regularly (as well as at the onset of and after each
rainstorm) to prevent overflows and localized flooding.
Minimizing Chance of Accidental Spillage and
Potential Contamination of Surface Water and Groundwater
8.8.5
Any service shop and maintenance
facilities should be located on hard standings within a bunded area, and sumps
and oil interceptors should be provided. Maintenance of vehicles and equipment
involving activities with potential leakage and spillage should only be
undertaken within the areas appropriately equipped to control these discharges.
ĄP
Suitable containers should
be used to hold the chemical wastes to avoid leakage or spillage during
storage, handling and transport.
ĄP
Chemical waste containers
should be suitably labelled, to notify and warn the personnel who are handling
the wastes to avoid accidents.
ĄP
Storage area should be selected
at a safe location on site and adequate space should be allocated to the
storage area.
8.9.1
Based on the latest
available information, the projects with programmes likely to overlap with the
Project construction have been identified in Water Quality Chapter. Given the nature and
locations of the concurrent projects, no adverse cumulative fisheries impact
during both construction and operational phases are expected.
8.10.1 There will
be no loss of fishponds arising from the Project. With the implementation
of mitigation measures detailed in Section
8.8, no unacceptable adverse impacts on fisheries due to deterioration
in water quality would arise during construction phase. The Project would
not cause any unacceptable water quality impact to adjacent fishponds or oyster
culture area and fishing ground near Deep Bay during normal operation. No
unacceptable water quality impacts to oyster culture area and fishing ground
are anticipated. Therefore, no unacceptable residual impacts on fisheries
resources due to water quality deterioration are expected.
8.11.1
As
no unacceptable adverse fisheries impacts are anticipated during construction
or operational phases, no specific monitoring programme for fisheries is
required. Regular audits should be undertaken to ensure the effectiveness
of the mitigation measures and good site practices recommended during
construction phase for further controlling the water quality impacts, as these
measures also serve to protect fisheries resources. Details of the
EM&A programme are presented in the standalone EM&A Manual.
8.12.1 A study based on existing information on pond culture fisheries
resources and activities within the assessment area has been undertaken,
following the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing fisheries
impact as stated in Annexes 9 and 17 of the EIAO-TM.
8.12.2 The
proposed construction works will be conducted within the Proposed Project
Boundary. No loss of active or inactive fishponds are anticipated within
the assessment area. There would be no loss of oyster culture area or
fishing ground near Deep Bay. With the implementation of mitigation
measures recommended in the Water Quality Chapter for controlling water
quality impact (also detailed in Section
8.8), the Project
would not cause any unacceptable water quality impact to adjacent fishponds or
oyster culture area and fishing ground near Deep Bay during construction and
normal operation.
(1) Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) (1998). Fisheries Resources and Fishing Operation in Hong Kong Waters. Prepared by ERM.
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