5.1
The
baseline dolphin monitoring was carried out under Chinese White Dolphin (CWD)
Service Contract No. HY/2011/02 for a period of three months prior to the
commencement of works and agreed with AFCD.
5.2
The baseline
line-transect vessel surveys for dolphin monitoring were conducted in
September, October and November 2011 as shown in Table 5.1 and the location of dolphin transect survey is shown in Figure 4.
|
No. |
Date |
Location |
|
1 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
NW LANTAU + |
|
3 |
|
NW LANTAU + |
|
4 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
NE LANTAU + NW LANTAU |
|
6 |
|
NW LANTAU + |
|
7 |
|
NE LANTAU |
|
8 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
NW LANTAU + |
|
10 |
|
NW LANTAU + |
|
11 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
NW LANTAU + |
|
13 |
|
NE LANTAU |
|
14 |
|
NW LANTAU + |
5.3
In
total, 112 groups of Chinese White Dolphins, numbering 413 individuals, were
observed during the three-month survey within all survey areas. Most were
sighted in the West Lantau (WL) and Northwest Lantau (NWL) regions.
5.4
Considering
the West Lantau area only, which is the survey area
of concern under this Contract, the numbers of dolphin sighted during the
baseline monitoring period were 49 dolphins (14 groups) in September 2011, 45
dolphins (12 groups) in October 2011, and 73 dolphins (20 groups) in November
2011.
5.5
Major
findings along and near the future alignments of HKLR and TM-CLKL as well as the
reclamation site of HKBCF (collectively called “the Site” below) are summarized
as follows:
· Dolphins
were sighted but not in high concentration near the Site. The number of
dolphins sighted near the site: three groups sighted near HKBCF, nine groups
sighted near HKLR and one group near TMCLKL (Figure 2 & 3 of Appendix G)
· Number
of dolphin groups with large aggregation: one group near HKBCF, one group near
TMCLKL and five groups near HKLR (Figure 5 of Appendix G)
· Grids
with moderate to high dolphin density near site: one grid near HKBCF, two grids
along TMCLKL and and two grids along HKLR (Figure 6-7
of Appendix G)
· Number
of mother-calf pairs near alignments of HKLR and TMCLKL: one pair near HKBCF,
and three pairs near HKLR (Figure 8 of Appendix G)
· Number
of feeding activities sighted along and near the site: two groups near HKBCF,
and one group along HKLR (Figure 9 of Appendix G)
· Two
fishing boat-associated sightings were made near the Site (Figure 9 of Appendix
G)
5.6
Through
photo-identification work, 96 individuals were identified from 182 sightings.
Some were sighted over three times during the three-month survey, indicating
their frequent use of
Action and Limit Level
5.7
The
Action and Limit levels for dolphin monitoring which are summarized in Table 5.2.
Table 5.2 Action
and Limit Levels for Dolphin Impact Monitoring
|
|
West Lantau |
|
Action Level |
STG < 60% of
baseline & ANI < 60% of
baseline |
|
Limit Level |
STG < 45% of baseline & ANI < 45% of
baseline |
Remarks:
1.
STG means quarterly encounter rate of number of
dolphin sightings.
2.
ANI means quarterly encounter rate of total number
of dolphins.
5.8
The
calculated Action and Limit levels are shown in Table 5.3.
Table 5.3 Calculated
Action
and Limit Levels
for Dolphin Impact Monitoring
|
|
West Lantau |
|
Action Level |
STG < 9.86 & ANI < 36.30 |
|
Limit Level |
STG < 7.40 & ANI < 27.23 |
Remarks:
1.
STG means quarterly encounter rate of number of
dolphin sightings.
2.
ANI means quarterly encounter rate of total number
of dolphins.
3.
Baseline value: 16.44 for ER(STG) and 60.50 for
ER(ANI)
Event and Action Plan
5.9
Further
monitoring should be conducted during the construction and post-construction
phase to identify any potential impact caused by the HZMB project. The event
and action plan for dolphin monitoring is presented in Table 5.4.
Table 5.4 Event/Action
Plan for Dolphin Monitoring
|
Event |
ET Leader |
IEC |
ER / SOR |
Contractor |
|
Action Level |
1.
Repeat
statistical data analysis to confirm findings. 2.
Review
all available and relevant data, including raw data and statistical analysis
results of other parameters covered in the EM&A, to ascertain if
differences are as a result of natural variation or previously observed
seasonal differences. 3.
Identify
source(s) of impact. 4.
Inform
the IEC, ER/SOR and Contractor, 5.
Check
monitoring data. 6.
Review
to ensure all the dolphin protective measure are fully and properly
implemented and advise on additional measures if necessary. |
1.
Check
monitoring data submitted by ET and Contractor. 2.
Discuss
monitoring results and findings with the ET and the Contractor. |
1. Discuss
monitoring data with the IEC and any other measures proposed by the ET. 2.
If
ER/SOR is satisfied with the proposal of any other measures, ER/SOR to
signify the agreement in writing on the measures to be implemented. |
1.
Inform the ER/SOR and confirm
notification of the non-compliance in writing. 2.
Discuss
with the ET and the IEC to propose measures to the IEC and the ER/SOR.
3.
Implement
the agreed measures. |
|
Event
|
ET Leader |
IEC |
ER / SOR |
Contractor |
|
Limit Level |
1.
Repeat
statistical data analysis to confirm findings. 2.
Review
all available and relevant data, including raw data and statistical analysis
results of other parameters covered in the EM&A, to ascertain if
differences are as a result of natural variation or previously observed
seasonal differences. 3.
Identify
source(s) of impact. 4.
Inform
the IEC, ER/SOR and Contractor of findings, 5.
Check
monitoring data. 6.
Repeat
reviewing to ensure all the dolphin protective measure are fully and properly
implemented and advise on additional measures if necessary. 7.
If
the ET proves that the source of impact is caused by any of the construction
activity by the works contract, the ET to arrange a meeting to discuss with
IEC, ER/SOR and Contractor for necessity of additional dolphin monitoring,
and/or any other potential mitigation measures (eg,
consider to modify the perimeter silt curtain or consider to
control/temporarily stop relevant construction activities…etc), and submit to
the IEC a proposal of additional dolphin monitoring and/or mitigation
measures where necessary. |
1. Check
monitoring data submitted by ET and Contractor; 2. Discuss
monitoring results and findings with the ET and the Contractor; 3. Attend
the meeting to discuss with ET, ER/SOR and Contractor the necessity of
additional dolphin monitoring and other potential mitigation measures. 4. Review
proposals for additional monitoring and any other mitigation measures submitted
by ET and Contractor, and advise ER/SOR of the results and findings
accordingly. 5. Supervise
/ Audit the implementation of additional monitoring and/or any other
mitigation measures, and advise ER/SOR of the results and findings
accordingly. |
1. Attend the
meeting to discuss with ET, IEC and Contractor the necessity of additional
dolphin monitoring and any other potential mitigation measures. 2. If ER/SOR is
satisfied with proposals for additional dolphin monitoring and/or any other
mitigation measures submitted by the ET and Contractor and verified by the
IEC, ER/SOR to signify the agreement in writing on such proposals and any
other mitigation measures. 3. Supervise
the implementation of additional monitoring and/or any other
mitigation measures. |
1. Inform
the ER/SOR
and confirm notification of the non-compliance in writing; 2. Attend
the meeting to discuss with ET, IEC and ER/SOR the necessity of additional
dolphin monitoring and any other potential mitigation measures. 3. Jointly
submit with ET to IEC a proposal of additional dolphin monitoring and/or
any other mitigation measures when necessary. 4. Implement
the agreed additional dolphin monitoring and/or
any other mitigation measures. |
5.10
Detailed
findings were reported in the Baseline Monitoring Report for Baseline Chinese
White Dolphin Monitoring for Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao
Bridge Hong Kong Projects submitted by Hong Kong Cetacean Research Project
under Contract No. HY/2011/02 and can be referred to Appendix G.