Marine Parks Visitor Liaison Group

Notes of Meeting on 10th Meeting held on 15 November 2003
2:30 p.m. in Sai Kung Country Park Visitor Centre

Participants

Mr. CHOW Kok Keung (Hong Kong Hiking Association, China)
Mr. CHU Clarus (World Wide Fund For Nature Hong Kong)
Mr. FUNG Siu Por (Translator)
Mr. LUNG, Karl (Hoi Ha Village Resident)
Mr. David NEWBERY (Hoi Ha Village Resident)
Mrs. Nicola NEWBERY (Hoi Ha Village Resident)
Mr. LEE Man Kit
Ms. WONG, Siu-yuk (Tourist Guide)
Mr. NG Kon Sing (Tourist Guide)
Mr. LAM Yue Cheong

AFCD

Dr. WONG Fook-yee Chairman
Mr. Edward WONG Marine Parks Division, AFCD
Mr. SO Tai Ming Marine Parks Division, AFCD
Mr. LEE Ying Ming Country Parks Ranger Division, AFCD
Mr. Patrick LAU Secretary

Other Government Departments

Mr. Larry LAU District Office (Tai Po) (DO/TP)
Mr. Eric HUI Hong Kong Police Force, Sai Kung

1. Opening remarks

1. Opening Remarks

• The Chairman welcomed all participants to the meeting of the Marine Parks Visitor Liaison Group. Participants introduced themselves and their interest.

2. Progress of Marine Parks Programme

2.1 Tung Ping Chau and Yan Chau Tong Marine Parks

• Through the concerted effort of AFCD and marine police, the problem of illegal fishing activities by Mainland fishermen in the two marine parks has been controlled. AFCD would continue with the present effort in combating these illegal activities.

2.2 Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park

• A leaflet publicizing the new code of conduct for dolphin watching was published by the department to educate the public the proper way to carry out dolphin watching activities.
• In response to an enquiry, the Chairman pointed out that the damaged footpath on Sha Chau was managed by the Tuen Mun District Office. The department is still liaising with the Tuen Mun District Office for early repair of the damaged footpath.
• A member suggested the Authority to establish a hotline for public to report cases infringing the Marine Parks and Marine Reserve Regulation to the department. The Chairman replied that citizens could use government hotline 1823 or Marine Parks Hotline 2957 8757.

2.3 Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park

2.3.1 Traffic issue

• After discussion with villagers, the quota for coaches through the Pak Tam Chung Barrier Gate to Hoi Ha was set at 12 coaches per day by AFCD and (DO/TP). Police officers help in regulating the traffic situation and take prosecution actions when necessary.

2.3.2 Litter and hygiene

• The SARS incident resulted in increasing visitors to Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park. To cope with the increasing pressure on littering by visitors, AFCD increased the litter collection frequency from two times a week to three times a week. In addition, the department also strengthen the publicity on the concept of ‘bring your litter home? with a view to alleviating the litter problem at Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park.

2.3.3 Use of loudhailer

• The situation has been significantly improved through seminars with tour operators and the dissemination of leaflets on respecting the village environ and stop using loudhailers. Hoi Ha villagers appreciated the effort of AFCD in reducing the nuisance generated by loudhailers.

2.3.4 Speedboat issue

• As the number of sampans had increased significantly, enforcement action, with Marine Police and Marine Department, was conducted to stop sampans taking passengers illegally on 28 September. 3 sampans would be prosecuted by Marine Department under the Shipping and Port Control Ordinance.
• AFCD also carried out operations against speeding of sampans within Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park in October. 3 sampans would be prosecuted under the Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation for speeding inside the marine park.
• AFCD, with the support from the Hoi Ha residents, established a motorized sampan restricted zone along the beach of the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park with a view to stopping motorized sampans entering into the beach area threatening the safety of visitors in the waters and on the beach.
• Coral areas near the pier and Coral Beach have been “fenced?with buoys to ensure safety of divers.
• It was suggested by a member that the sampans should use more environmental-friendly mode of power such as solar-engine to replace the speedboat in Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park.

2.3.5 Alternative footpath

• There was a query on the progress of the alternative footpath in Hoi Ha. Mr. Lau of DO/TP responded that some indigenous villagers in overseas objection had expressed to the proposal on grounds of fung shui. A decision would be made around the Chinese New Year when the overseas villagers returned to the village.

2.3.6 Other Hoi Ha Wan issue

• In response to a member’s suggestion to re-open the warden post and display information of Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park to visitor, the chairman informed the groups the department is currently planning to construct a visitor centre near Hoi Ha Wan or to upgrade the display at Pak Tam Chung Visitor Centre.
• There was a comment that the penalties for offences of Marine Parks and Marine Reserve Regulation were too low to have a deterring effect. It was also suggested that AFCD to reflect the dissatisfaction to the judiciary.
• The Police clarified the query on ‘citizen arrest?and pointed out that the public must be very clear about the actual situation whether citizen arrest is applicable or not.
• There was a worry on the wrong message from TV programmes encouraging people to infringe the Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation. Mr. Edward Wong responded that applicants for filming permit had been required to include conservation message in their programme to educate public not to violate the regulation.
• There was a concern on the erosion in Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park main beaches. It was reported that the size of beaches were diminishing at low tides. Mr. Edward Wong explained that the main beaches are dynamic beaches in which both the sand deposition and erosion processes are constantly changing. It might be an illusion that the recent low tides were actually higher than previous ones that resulted in smaller portion of the inter-tidal zones being exposed.

2.3.7 Marine Parks Education Programme

• As seminars on the Marine Parks and Marine Ecology were well received, another series of 6 seminars would be organized in November 2003 at Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Wanchai. All 6 seminars were fully booked. AFCD would arrange a larger venues next year.
• The second phase of the Marine Park Ambassador Scheme started since 1 November 2003. Three schools were invited to join the programme and an award scheme was introduced for participating students.

3. Any other business

• There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 5:20pm.