10.
FISHERIES Impact Assessment
10.1.1
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 operational
phases of the Project were identified and evaluated. Mitigation measures
have been recommended, where necessary.
10.2.1
The criteria for evaluating fisheries impact assessment are laid
out in Annex 9 and Annex 17 of the TM-EIAO, 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.
10.2.2
Other local legislations that are
relevant to this fisheries impact assessment include:
· Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171) – 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.
· Water Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap. 358)
– 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.
10.3
Assessment Area
10.3.1
The assessment area for fisheries impact assessment included areas
within 500 m distance from the boundary of the Project, and the areas likely to
be impacted by the construction or operation of the Project. Special
attention was given to fish pond culture resources and activities, as well as
any watercourses which served as water sources for fish pond areas.
10.4.1
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. AFCD’s 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.
10.4.2
The criteria and guidelines as stated in Annexes 9 and 17 of the TM-EIAO
were followed for evaluating and assessing fisheries impact arising from the construction
and operation of the Project.
10.4.3
Following the collation and review of existing fisheries baseline
information, relevant literature on culture fisheries within and in vicinity of
the assessment area include:
·
Agriculture, Fisheries
and Conservation Department (AFCD)
Accredited Fish Farm Scheme Website (http://www.hkaffs.org/en/index.html)
·
Agriculture, Fisheries
and Conservation Department (AFCD) Annual Reports (2009 – 2019)
·
Agriculture, Fisheries and
Conservation Department (AFCD)
website (http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_aqu/fish_aqu.html)
·
Fisheries Impact
Assessment in the EIA study on North East New Territories New Development Areas
(AEIAR-175/2013)
10.4.4
The validity of the information compiled during the literature
review has been assessed before adoption into the current EIA study.
10.4.5
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
fish ponds within the assessment area, site visits were also conducted between May
2020 and October 2020.
10.5.1
As no marine environment is located within the
assessment area, impact assessment on capture fisheries and marine fish/oyster
culture will not be carried out. Pond fish culture industry is the only fisheries
issue for the present study. However, pond fish culture in Hong Kong is mainly
conducted in the north-west New Territories, closed to the Deep Bay area.
10.5.2
Pond fish industry has long been centred in the northwest New
Territories. According to AFCD (2020a), local inland fish ponds covered
approximately 1,131 ha in 2019. These ponds produced 2,278 tonnes of
freshwater fish amounting to HK$52 million. Traditionally, primarily
freshwater fish and several brackish species, such as Bighead Carp Aristichthys
nobilis, Edible Goldfish Carassius auratus, Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon
idellus, Mud Carp Cirrhinus chinensis, Flathead Mullet and Nile
Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, are farmed. However, in recent years,
certain high-value marine species such as Giant Grouper Epinephelus
lanceolatus, Yellowfin Seabream Acanthopagrus latus and Spotted Scat
Scatophagus argus have also been cultured in diluted seawater by fish
farms close to the coast (e.g. at Mai Po). Most ponds in Hong Kong practice polyculture
of carp, tilapia and/or grey mullet.
10.5.3
In order to help local fish farms to develop, AFCD has introduced
new aquaculture species (i.e. Jade Perch Scortum barcoo) to Hong Kong,
and also launched the “Accredited Fish Farm Scheme” (AFFS). Under this scheme,
products from registered fish farms are “accredited” by AFCD, and can be
marketed under the unique brand name of the scheme. The department believes
that this scheme can make local aquaculture products “stand out by branding”.
Fish farms registered under the scheme will be inspected by AFCD officers
bimonthly, checking on the farm hygiene conditions, the maintenance of
management records, water quality and fish health conditions. A series of
advisory leaflets and guidelines on aquaculture management, including “Good
Aquaculture Practices Series 3 – Environmental Management on Pond Fish Culture”
and “Good Aquaculture Practices Series 5 – Fry Health Management” have been published
by Aquaculture Fisheries Division of AFCD. These publications provide guidelines
on physical requirements for establishment of fish pond farms, drainage
requirements, water quality, and a list of good fish pond culture practices for
pond fisheries and fry management.
10.5.4
Several fish farms have started to culture new species and AFCD has
carried out much promotional work; according to the data extracted from AFCD’s
website and AFCD’s annual reports, the production of pond fish in Hong Kong has
stabilised in recent years. Annual pond fish production and fish pond area in Hong
Kong are listed in the Table 10.1.
Table 10.1 Fish Pond Area and Annual Fish Production in Hong Kong
from 2009 to 2020
|
Year
|
Fish Pond Area (ha)
|
Annual Fish Production (Tonnes)
|
|
2020
|
1130
|
2516
|
|
2019
|
1131
|
2278
|
|
2018
|
1130
|
2500
|
|
2017
|
1132
|
2543
|
|
2016
|
1135
|
2543
|
|
2015
|
1140
|
2092
|
|
2014
|
1140
|
2001
|
|
2013
|
1150
|
2187
|
|
2012
|
1149
|
2244
|
|
2011
|
1130
|
2315
|
|
2010
|
1109
|
2190
|
|
2009
|
1120
|
2105
|
Source: AFCD (2019)
10.5.5
According to the EIA study
North East New Territories New Development Areas (AEIAR-175/2013), there are three main areas of ponds in Kwu
Tung North: near Fung Kong (next to Ma Tso Lung Road), near Ho Sheung Heung and
at Long Valley. While fish ponds in Fanling North are
considered to be abandoned or inactive. According to the reviewed aerial photos
and site visits, several inactive fish ponds are located to the north of and
outside the assessment area. The distance between these fish ponds and the Project
Site is approximately 2.0 km. Besides, some active fish ponds are also located to
the southeast of the Project Area, about 700m from the Project Site (Figure
10.1).
10.5.6
Although ponds such as landscape ponds and irrigation
ponds were identified within the Project Site and 500m assessment area (Figure
10.1), no commercial fish ponds were recorded within the Project Site and
the 500m assessment area.
Direct Impact
No Direct Impact
on Fisheries Resources
10.6.1
The proposed development would be confined to the Project Site. There
would be no loss of active/ inactive fish ponds within the assessment area.
Indirect
Impact
Indirect
Water Quality Impacts
10.6.2
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
10.6.3
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. Sheung Yue River and Shek Sheung River, as well as
the adjacent fish ponds.
10.6.4
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 bentonite slurries, 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.
10.6.5
Wastewater generated from general construction works and
construction site runoff could potentially pose indirect impacts on the water
quality of the adjoining watercourses and adjacent ponds, thus affecting pond
fish culture activities. Due to the location of watercourse is
located outside the Project Site and separated from developed area, and the active
fish ponds are located outside 500m assessment area, 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 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 insignificant.
Accidental Spillage and
Potential Contamination of Surface Water and Groundwater
10.6.6
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 watercourses and adjacent ponds, thus affecting pond fish culture
activities. Due to the location of watercourse is located outside
the Project Site and separated from developed area, and the active fish ponds are
located outside 500m assessment area, 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 insignificant.
10.6.7
The construction works will be 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
and the ponds. Despite the fact that active fish ponds in Kwu Tung North are away from the Project Site, 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
active fish ponds due to deterioration of water quality are anticipated.
Draw-down of Water
Table, Disruption or Disturbance of Pond Culture Related Activities
10.6.8
No active fish ponds were found within the assessment area and
even the inactive fish ponds are away from the Project
Site, 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.
Direct Impact
10.7.1
No direct impacts to fisheries resources and
operation are anticipated during operational phase.
Indirect Impact
Water Quality Impacts during Normal
Operation
10.7.2
As the sewage will be collected and diverted to sewage treatment
plant, no indirect impacts from the water quality are expected during the operational
phase.
10.8.1
In accordance with the TM-EIAO Annex 9 criteria, the assessment
of potential fisheries impacts in the absence of mitigation within the
assessment area are provided in Table 10.2.
Table
10.2 Fisheries Impact on Fish
Ponds within the Assessment Area
|
Criteria
|
Inactive Fish Ponds 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 fish ponds.
|
|
Indirect water quality impact
Insignificant/no indirect impacts to fish ponds.
|
|
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
|
Negligible, given no active ponds are located within
assessment area.
|
|
Overall impact before
mitigation
|
Negligible
|
10.9.1
According to the guidelines in Annex 17 of TM-EIAO, the general
policy for alleviating fisheries impacts in order of priority are avoidance,
minimization and compensation approaches to the maximum practical extent.
10.9.2
Direct impacts on fish ponds have been avoided. No
unacceptable adverse indirect impacts on fish ponds are anticipated during both
construction and operation phases of the Project. 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.
Avoidance
10.9.3
The proposed works are confined within the Project Site. Fish ponds
within the assessment area and in the vicinity have been avoided.
Minimization
Controlling Site Runoff
10.9.4
In order to further 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 fish ponds. In particular, measures
and good site practices stipulated in the ProPECC PN 1/94 “Construction
Site Drainage” and in ETWB TC (Works) No. 5/2005 “Protection of Natural Streams
/ Rivers from Adverse Impacts Arising from Construction Works” to
minimise surface runoff and the chance of erosion should be followed to
minimise potential impacts to nearby fisheries resources.
Minimizing Chance of
Accidental Spillage and Potential Contamination of Surface Water and Groundwater
10.9.5
Contractor must register as a chemical waste producer if chemical
wastes would be produced from the construction activities. The Waste
Disposal Ordinance (Cap 354) and its subsidiary regulations in
particular the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General)
Regulation should be observed and complied with for control of chemical
wastes.
10.9.6
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.
·
Suitable containers should be used
to hold the chemical wastes to avoid leakage or spillage during storage,
handling and transport.
·
Chemical waste containers should
be suitably labelled, to notify and warn the personnel who are handling the
wastes to avoid accidents.
·
Storage area should be selected at
a safe location on site and adequate space should be allocated to the storage area.
10.10.1
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 operational period for this
Study has been conducted and a list of the concurrent projects identified at this
stage is provided in Section 2 of this EIA report.
10.10.2
The table below (Table 10.3) summarizes
the relevancy of these concurrent projects. Project relevant to fisheries is
examined individually.
Table 10.3 Cumulative Impacts from Concurrent Projects near the Project Site
|
Concurrent Project
|
Project Proponent
|
Programme
|
|
Start
|
Complete
|
|
Present Project
|
CEDD
|
2024
|
2029
|
|
Potential
Housing Developments in North District
|
CEDD
|
2024
|
-
|
|
North
District Hospital Extension
|
ArchSD/ HA
|
2021
|
2030
|
|
Drainage Improvements
at North District
|
DSD
|
2021
|
2027
|
|
Fanling Highway
Widening
|
CEDD
|
2024
|
2031
|
|
Po Shek Wu
Flyover
|
CEDD
|
2024
|
2029
|
|
Road
Improvement Works at Fan Kam Road
|
HyD
|
-
|
-
|
|
Fanling Area
36 Phase 4 (Ching Ho Extension)
|
CEDD
|
2020
|
2024
|
|
Housing
Development at Junction of Castle Peak Road & Fan Kam Road (Near Fanling
Golf Course)
|
-
|
-
|
2028
|
10.10.3
As there will be negligible impacts to fisheries,
no cumulative fisheries impact during both construction and operational phases are
expected.
10.11.1
There will be no loss of fish ponds arising from the Project. With
the implementation of mitigation measures mentioned above, 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 fish ponds during normal operation. Therefore,
no unacceptable residual impacts on fisheries resources due to water quality
deterioration are expected.
10.12
Monitoring and Audit Requirements
10.12.1
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.
10.13
Conclusion
10.13.1
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 TM-EIAO.
10.13.2
The proposed development will be conducted within the Project Site. No
loss of active or inactive fish ponds are anticipated. With the implementation
of mitigation measures recommended in the Water Quality Chapter for controlling
water quality impact, the Project would not cause any
unacceptable water quality impact to adjacent fish ponds or watercourses that provide water supply for fish ponds
during construction and normal operation.
10.14
References
(1) Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department (2019). Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Annual
Report 2009-2018. http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/publications/publications_dep/publications_dep.html.
Accessed on 21 September 2020.
(2) Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department (2020a). Marine Fish Culture, Pond Fish Culture and Oyster Culture. http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_aqu/fish_aqu_mpo/fish_aqu_mpo.html. Accessed
on 21 September 2020.
(3) Civil Engineering and Development Department
(CEDD). North East New Development Areas Planning and Engineering Study –
Investigation, Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report (2013). Prepared by
ARUP.