A conservation group yesterday urged the government to set up more protective areas to preserve the habitat of Chinese White Dolphins being threatened by the infrastructure projects around the Lantau Island.

Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society (HKDCS) chairman Samuel Hung conducted a study on the dolphins' habitat between 1996 and 2005, and concluded that dolphins frequented the waters off the western coast of the Lantau Island, Mo To Chau and Lung Kwu Chau.

Mo To Chau and Lung Kwu Chau lie respectively in the north and northwest of the Lantau Island.

"About 200 dolphins reside in Hong Kong waters, and 1,200 to 1,300 along the Pearl River Delta," Hung said. "Approximately eight to 10 dolphins die every year in Hong Kong but we note that fewer calves appear in recent years."

Chinese White Dolphins

He added the number of dolphins in the city is stable over the study period, but he expressed concern over the development around the Lantau Island which pose threats to the dolphins' survival.

Habitat loss and water pollution are the lethal threats to them, Hung said.

The construction of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link and the third runway at the Hong Kong International Airport would involve sea areas off northern Lantau Island.

Works such as mud pits and reclamation would disrupt the life of dolphins and they would move to other areas, Hung said.

He expressed hope for the government to set aside the plan to build the third runway which requires the construction of an artificial island.

"We cannot have more developmental pressure on the dolphins. They won't be able to survive," he added.

In addition, the heavy vessel traffic also endangers the dolphins.

Normally dolphins would avoid swimming along the passage of the vessels, but some of them would take the risk to search for food.

"Accidents usually involve them being hit by vessels when they rise to the surface to breathe," Hung said.

He added the sea traffic volume in 2005 was double that in 1996.

The HKDCS said protective areas such as marine parks and marine reserves can provide a habitat for the dolphins during the construction period of the infrastructure projects.

The study revealed that the number of calves and juvenile dolphins in the Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park (SLMP) is higher than other water areas.

However, the SLMP is the only marine park in the city and Hung said it is insufficient to protect the dolphins.

The HKDCS suggested the setting up of three extra protective areas respectively in Mo To Chau, Tai O and southern Lantau Island.

The government has previously proposed establishing two marine parks in southwest Lantau Island and the Soko Islands.

Hung suggested the one in southwest Lantau Island be extended to the north and the east, and conduct long-term monitoring on the dolphins.

"The plan to establish marine parks (Soko and Fanlau) will also continue," a spokesperson of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said, adding it will continue to monitor the situation of dolphins in Hong Kong.

On infrastructure construction disturbing the habitat of dolphins, the AFCD said any potential marine ecological impacts including those arising from reclamation will be minimized.

Hung also urged the government to regulate vessel traffic and dolphin observation tours. He said amendments need to be made to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) so as not to underestimate the cumulative impacts brought by the planned infrastructure projects.

The Environmental Protection Department said it is an established practice that the EIA includes the consideration of cumulative impacts of all relevant existing, committed and planned projects.

(China Daily HK Edition March 27, 2008)