Marine Parks Visitor Liaison Group

Notes of Meeting on 11th Meeting held on 17 April 2004
2:30 p.m. in Sai Kung Country Park Visitor Centre

Download : Notes of Meeting

Participants

Mr. CHAN Benny Hoi Ha Village Resident
Mr. CHAN Lin-cheung General Public
Mr. CHAN Yat-fong Tourist Guide
Mr. CHU Clarus World Wide Fund For Nature Hong Kong
Mr. HODGSON Paul Divers
Mr. KONG Chun-choi Hoi Ha Village Representative
Mr. LAU Yu-on Student
Mr. NEWBERY David Hoi Ha Village Resident
Mrs. NEWBERY Nicola Hoi Ha Village Resident
Mr. NG Kon-sing Tourist Guide
Mr. TONG Albert Hoi Ha Village Resident
Ms. TONG Lily Hoi Ha Village Resident
Ms. WONG, Siu-yuk Tourist Guide
Mr. YUNG Ching-wan Hoi Ha Village Resident
Mr. YUNG Hoi-yeung Hoi Ha Village Resident
Mr. YUNG Koon-fat Hoi Ha Village Resident
Mr. YUNG Wong-fat Hoi Ha Village Representative
Ms. YUNG YUNG Pak-yung Hoi Ha Village Resident

AFCD

Dr. WONG Fook-yee Chairman
Mr. WONG Edward Marine Parks Division, AFCD
Mr. KWOK Alex Marine Parks Division, AFCD
Mr. MOK Dennis Country Parks Division, AFCD
Mr. Patrick LAU Secretary

Other Government Departments

Mr. LEE Wai-ming Aaron Hong Kong Police Force, Sai Kung

1. Opening remarks

1. Opening Remarks

The Chairman welcomed all participants to the meeting of the 11th Marine Parks Visitor Liaison Group. Participants introduced themselves and their interest.

2. Progress of Marine Parks Programme

2.1 Tung Ping Chau Marine Park

Ć The tourism development at Tung Ping Chau Marine Park mentioned by Secretary of Treasury is still under investigation by Commissioner for Tourism. No further information is available on this aspect at this moment.

2.2 Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park

2.2.1. Hoi Ha Wan New Zoning Plan

Ć Three Mechanized Vessel Prohibited Zones (MVPZ) in Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park were gazetted in January 2004 to separate vessels from swimmers and divers as a safety measure.

Ć Some Hoi Ha villagers expressed that the MVPZs resulted in inconvenience on their livelihood especially when they need to transport heavy or bulky goods by sea. They claimed that it is difficult for them to paddle a long distance under such circumstances. Some villagers suggested building a new jetty that extends outside the MVPZ located along the main beach.

ƒÜ In response to villager¡¦s concerns, AFCD agreed to gather more information from the villagers and to consider alternative arrangements to alleviate the impacts on them.

2.2.2 Coral viewing activities

Ć There was a query on the legality of carrying out coral watching activity in Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park. Although the Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation prescribed that all commercial activities carried out inside marine parks must apply for a permit from the Authority, enforcement on this regulation is in fact difficult since the business deal mostly occur outside the marine park. It was also difficult to distinguish the commercial vessels from private pleasure crafts entering into marine parks.

Ć AFCD had carried out enforcement actions with Marine Police and Marine Department on sampans taking passengers illegally in Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park. Marine Department prosecuted the sampans under the Shipping and Port Control Ordinance.

Ć In view of the fact that large vessels were used in Marine Parks for coral viewing, AFCD will work closely with Marine Department to investigate ways to control this type of boat activity to avoid the threats on corals. Although there was suggestion to limit the size of boat entering into marine parks, it was impractical, as vessel moving within marine parks is not prohibited under the legislation. Some marine parks such as Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau, is part of a navigation route used by large vessels frequently.

2.2.2. Fishing activities

Participants requested to clarify the criteria of issuing fishing permit. The Chairman responded that fishermen were screened and certified by their corresponding fishermen association their fishermen¡¦s status and their fishing history in marine parks. Fishermen who traditionally fished inside the corresponding marine parks before the designation would be granted a permit.
Ć Some participants suggested to educate the commercial fishermen not to use fish nets inside marine parks. WWF also indicated their intention to organizing workshops for fishermen but their application for funding was not successful.

Ć Some participants opined that there was a decline in fisheries resources within Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park and this might be due to illegal fishing activities outside AFCD patrol hours, or the number of permitted fishermen was too high. The Chairmen responded that AFCD patrol was conducted on an irregular-hour basis in order that illegal fishers could not predict our patrol pattern. He also mentioned that the fishing permit numbers are declining that implied fishing effort inside the marine park was decreasing.

Ć There was concern on the use of gill net which resulted in ghost net problems that kill corals and many other marine lives. Participants suggested to educate fishermen on the ghost net problem through public seminars, and involving fishermen in ghost net clean up exercises. In addition, it was also suggested that fishermen permit holders should put labels on the net and report any entangled net to the Authority for further actions.

Ć The Chairman responded that AFCD would consider the suggestions and to examine their feasibility and if necessary will consult the Marine Parks Committee of the Country and Marine Parks Board.

2.2.4 Alternative footpath

Ć AFCD had surveyed and investigated on the feasibility of constructing a bypass from Hoi Ha Road to the WWF Marine Life Centre bypassing the Hoi Ha Village. It was found that the proposed trail would cut through 2 streams and a lot of boulders along the uphill which has major engineering difficulties. AFCD would continue to explore other alternatives.

2.2.5 Tourist nuisance

Ć It was commented that although AFCD put a great afford to advise the visitors not to disturb the villagers at Hoi Ha Wan, irresponsible tourist guides continued to use loudhailers and visitors peeping into village houses. In response, AFCD would invite more tourist guides and the travel agencies representatives to attend the seminars on responsible tourism. Village representatives would also be invited to share their experience on tourist nuisance from the local tours. Information would also passed to Tourism Commission for their reference take further follow-up educations and actions where necessary.

2.2.6 Other Hoi Ha Wan issue

Ć The Hoi Ha Villagers requested the police to increase the patrol at Hoi Ha Road and to inspect the vehicle permits on coming summer holiday. The police undertook to consider the request.

Ć Some participants expressed that the Government should consider the development of Hoi Ha area holistically, including car parking space, toilets, and other infrastructure, before promoting the area as a tourist spot. The Chairman responded that AFCD would continue to bid for resources to convert the existing picnic site into a Visitor Centre with coach drop off and toilet facilities.

2.3 Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park

Ć There was an enquiry on the plan to repair the trail on Sha Chau. However, no information from DO/Tuen Mun on the schedule of repairing the trail.

2.4 Marine Parks Education Programme

ƒÜ There were 3 Teachers¡¦ Workshops organized this year at Hong Kong Central Library for secondary schools teachers. The topics of the 3 workshops include rocky shore ecology in Tung Ping Chau Marine Park, Marine Mammals in Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park and Mudflat fauna and flora in Yan Chau Tong Marine Park.

ƒÜ Marine Parks and Marine Ecology Public Seminars would be held from 26 June 2004 to 17 July 2004 this year at Hong Kong Cultural Centre. There would be total 9 seminars this year which include seminars on both Artificial Reef inside marine parks and Introduction to marine food fishes. The details of the seminars would be uploaded on AFCD¡¦s website soon.

3. Any other business

Ć One participant said that the opening hours of the toilet at Tai Miu was inadequate and would like AFCD to convey the message to relevant departments.

Ć Some participants asked the police to establish permanent patrol post at the Pak Tam Chung Barrier Gate. Police representative responded that inconsideration of the effective deployment of resources, to establish a permanent police post at Pak Tam Chung would not be possible.

Ć The participants requested representatives from other departments including District Office (Tai Po) and Marine Department to attend MPVLG meetings.

Ć One participant suggested to issue an agenda before MPVLG meeting. The Chairman responded that as the items were determined mainly by the participants, it would be difficult to draw up a detailed agenda before the meeting, but a brief one is possible.

Ć There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 5:25pm.

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