Notes of 12th Meeting

Marine Parks Visitor Liaison Group Notes of 12th Meeting

Date: 27 November 2004

Time: 2:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Venue: Rm 701, Cheung Sha Wan Government Office, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Hong Kong

Participants

AFCD

Dr. WONG Fook-yee (Chairman)

Mr. WONG Edward (Marine Parks Division, AFCD)

Mr. KWOK Alex (Marine Parks Division, AFCD)

Mr. Patrick LAU( Secretary)

Other Government Departments

Mr. Simon Lap-wah,( CHIU Hong Kong Police Force, Sai Kung)

Mr. KONG Hon Ching (Hong Kong Police Force, Marine/North)

Mr. Larry Chun-keung, LAU (District Office (Tai Po))

Mr. LI Chung-hing (Marine Department of Hong Kong)

1. Opening Remarks

The Chairman welcomed all participants to the meeting of the 12th Marine Parks Visitor Liaison Group. Participants introduced themselves and their interest.

2. Participants’ suggestions and responses

2.1 Yan Chau Tong Marine Park

2.1.1 A participant requested the Authority to consider re-issue the indigenous villagers’ fishing permits for Sam A and Lai Chi Wo villages.

Response: A deadline set for applications for fishing permits in marine parks had already lapsed. Late applications made would normally not be entertained. Staff of AFCD would meet villagers representative to understand their case.

2.1.2 A participant suggested to provide more facilities in marine parks like berthing facilities for pleasure craft, and the provision of glass-bottom boat service for visitors.

Response: AFCD had already provided anchoring areas in marine parks for mooring of vessels visiting these areas. There was no plan at present to provide glass-bottom boat service in marine parks by AFCD.

2.2 Tung Ping Chau Marine Park (TPCMP)

2.2.1 A participant reported that he observed visitors collected shells on the beach of TPCMP and requested the Authority to establish more temporary warning signs during holidays, facing the right direction on the beach for advising and educating visitors not to collect shells and other marine lives.

Response: This would be considered; AFCD would look into the feasibility of erecting more signs at appropriate locations taking into consideration the appropriateness of the locations and the possible visual impact.

2.3 Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park

2.3.1 A participant suggested to establish paid floating bridges at Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park facilitating coral viewing activities. Fees could be collected and used for subsidizing maintenance and manpower costs.

Response: There would be technical problems in establishing structures above coral areas. Furthermore, these structures might adversely affect the coral growth.

2.3.2 A participant reported that there was litter problem at the Hoi Ha Wan BBQ site.

Response: AFCD would look into this. In fact AFCD had already deployed wardens and staff to patrol the BBQ sites and to collect litter. Visitors found littering would be prosecuted. This practice would continue.

2.3.3 A participant reported that the illegal coach parking problem still exist at the roundabout at Hoi Ha. Some participants suggested to tighten up the control by specifying the time allowed for a coach to pass through the Pak Tam Chung barrier gate. The idea of providing low price parking facilities at Pak Tam Chung with charged shuttle bus serving the country park area, including Hoi Ha was also suggested.

Response: The Authority had been working closely with Police and Transport Department to handle the illegal parking problem. The Police representative explained that manpower for controlling illegal parking along Pak Tam Road and Hoi Ha Road would be improved in 2005. AFCD had already reduced the access of coaches to Hoi Ha with a maximum of 10 per day.

2.3.4 A participant suggested deploying a park warden to accompany all the tours to Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park to prevent the visitors from collecting marine lives.

Response: This had resource implications; since the Department had already deployed wardens to patrol the beach and to enforce the Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation and put up publicity materials alerting visitors to observe marine parks regulations, the suggestion might not be necessary at this stage. Furthermore seminars were also arranged for tour leaders educating them on the visitors’ behaviour in marine parks.

2.3.5 A participant requested for more dog excreta receptacles at the beach of Hoi Ha.

Response: Relevant department such as FEHD would be informed to follow this up.

2.4 General Marine Park Issue

2.4.1 Some participants expressed that it was important for the Authority to take into consideration the infrastructure requirements, such as transportation for visitors, before designating new marine parks.

Response: The main function of marine parks was to conserve and protect the marine environment in Hong Kong. Access problem and other infrastructures requirements would be considered at a later stage taking into consideration the conservation requirements and site condition.

2.4.2 A participant clarified that not all ghost net and fish cage damages on coral were caused by fishermen.

Response: The views of the fishing community were noted with thanks.

2.4.3 A participant showed concern about the deployment of Artificial Reef that has deteriorated the seabed environment. Another participant also concerned about the AR material like tyre and metal vessels might deteriorate the water quality.

Response: Detailed study was made prior to the deployment of at AR. There should be no adverse impact to the water quality or seabed. Nonetheless the concern would be conveyed to the team responsible for managing and deployment of Artificial Reef in AFCD for their information.

2.4.4 A participant expressed concern on fishing in the marine parks and other area in Hong Kong and hope the fishermen could cooperate with the government to manage fishing effort inside the marine parks and Hong Kong.

Some fishermen responded that the other participants did not understand their operations and livelihood. They claimed that they did not discard fishing nets into the sea and so far they were observing the permit conditions when fishing in marine parks.

Response: At present, marine parks only covers less than 2% of Hong Kong waters. It is important to keep the fisheries resource sustainable for existing and our future generations. Fishing in marine parks were controlled under a permit system which in confined to genuine fishermen and local residents and the system worked well so far.

2.4.5 A participant asked whether it is possible to request the P4 boat working at Hoi Ha Wan Pier installed a propeller guard to prevent accident on swimmers and snorkellers.

Response: Installation of a propeller guard is not a licence requirement, AFCD would advise P4 operators be more cautious in manouvering their vessels, especially in areas with swimmers and snorkellers.

2.4.7 A participant requested for more park signs in marine parks for photo taking purposes.

Response: This would be looked into.

End of the meeting note

The meeting adjourned at 5:00pm.