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Having read the INSIGHT article, I think his last paragraph he wrote was a little desperate..something along the lines of dolphins breathing the same air as we do, and therefore justification for building the LNG Terminal at the Sokos to reduce air pollution.
There is much more to the Sokos than just dolphins..though as MW said they were the Handover Mascot in 1997 and are Hong Kong’s flagship species.

What we all need to understand, including Dr. Jefferson is the CUMULATIVE Impacts of all these western HK projects that are slowly taking way dolphin habitat, not just looking at the merits of single project EIAs.
The airport, Disneyland, Aviation Facility, Lantau Zuhai Bridge, Container Terminal CT10, Logistics Park, LNG Terminal..the list goes on.
About time this indecisive government started taking these public consultations more seriously and becoming more transparent. CF

Post edited by: Martin, at: 2007/01/24 16:05

Stephen IP GBS JP, Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Bureau,

RE: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Receiving Terminal and Associated Facilities

As part of the Public Consultation towards the aforementioned project, I would be grateful if the Government would for the record consider my views and objections on this matter, especially towards the Sokos Islands.

Firstly I would like to enquire about the potential impacts to marine ecology resulting from the open loop system (a system that draws in seawater and discharges a cocktail of antifoulant and chlorine back into the environment). Sterilizing millions of gallons of water in this way must have an impact on marine life especially towards shrimp, food prey items for the Chinese White Dolphin, fish larvae and possibly Branchiostoma belcheri, a species recognised of high conservation interest in the region. The EIA states that impacts to marine ecology as a result of potential concentrations of residual chlorine are not expected to occur.
Has CLP addressed the closed loop system which will have negligible impacts to marine life?

Secondly, as part of a feasibility study for the Chinese White Dolphin, AFCD commissioned a report in 1997, with recommendations to consider a way forward to designate SW Lantau (including Fan Lau and the Sokos) as a Marine Park, during the interim (now 10 years) the site was also to be considered as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Where does AFCD and the rest of the Government stand on this point? And looking towards the future what kind of protection is afforded by the already established marine parks? Are we to allow large scale projects to infringe on these areas under the pretext of clearing up our polluted skies at the expense of the marine environment?

Thirdly, information from the Port Surveys of 1989-91 and 1996-97 commissioned by AFCD provide the best source of existing information about fisheries resources. The Sokos Islands were identified as being part of a nursery area for commercial fisheries resources that encompasses a large stretch of Hong Kong southern waters extending between South Lantau and southern portion of Lamma Island waters. This area has been identified as a nursery particularly for Oratosquilla species as well as Sciaenid and Squilla fry. As is Hong Kong fisheries are severely under threat from ‘such’ projects that destroy prime nursery areas. This type of impact is another good example of this country’s coastal destruction which also includes ‘atypical’ neglect towards the marine environment, aka Disnelyland, the Airport, Tseung Kwan O, ad nauseam.

Fourthly, as part of Planning Departments ‘Landscape Value Mapping of Hong Kong Report’ it appears that other development projects in southern Lantau have been mooted and discussed including retail and tourism-related uses. How will these co-exist with an LNG terminal? It also quotes that ‘further offshore, the coastal waters are open and exposed, punctuated only by occasional vessels or by small island landscapes which, when in groups – such as the Sokos or Po Toi Islands – form striking remote sea landscapes’. To encourage tourism in the area I suggest we keep it that way.

I hope the Government is committed on Black Point as the site for the LNG terminal and that the final design changes incorporate significant measures thus reducing those ecological impacts classed as minor to a negligible level.

Sincerely,
Charles Frew, MSc

Post edited by: Martin, at: 2007/01/23 21:08

Whilst the windsurfing championships take place over on Cheung Chau, there looks like a new Bed & Breakfast which has just opened up. Its on the street leading to the main beach on the left hand side. Anyone been there yet?

Its just what we need to blow the firework smoke out of Victoria Harbour. Enjoy it while it lasts, the wind that is.. Hope 360 bodes well.
Mother Nature is great at wreaking vengance upon white elephants and that includes you Disney.. Count your earnings after Golden Week.

Hi Charlie!

Which camping sites you recommend for anchoring your boat off and camp overnight?

Secondly ,can a Non Marina member anchor in the Marinas in Sai Kung area or Typhoon sheleters? Does one need a special permission before doing so?

Thanks for your feedback!

Thanks Martin!
In stead of having the Admirality charts ,can you suggest any boating handbook for maps /charts etc?

Hi there !

Is there a boating map available to go to this beach from Gold Coast area?
Is the undertow dangerous for an anchored small power boat ?

Post edited by: Martin, at: 2006/08/05 00:29

Watched the lightening strikes last night, associated with outer rain bands of typ. Wind picking up ever so slowly. Seas in messy state of Sai Kung, but reckon things might change in next couple of days. Good chance for some ocean mixing for HK waters as the thermocline has been very pronounced (24C at 25 m, 27C on surface).
Thats the news from E Hong Kong…