Dear AAHK and EPD,

Over the past few decades, thousands of hectares of Hong Kong’s marine habitat have been irreversibly impaired due to reclamation. The upcoming construction of Hong Kong International Airport’s third runway will reclaim around 650 hectares of marine habitat, a loss of which extends to the irreparable damage to our hugely diverse yet frail marine ecosystems. This includes the gross disturbance of the livelihood of Hong Kong’s iconic Chinese white dolphins, of which there are around 60 left.

Authorities have assured the public that mitigation measures, such as the plan for designation of Southwest Lantau and Soko Islands marine parks that pertain especially to the conservation of Chinese white dolphins, will be put into place. However there are several flaws that do not allow the proposed marine park to work effectively; primarily, inadequacies in regards to the timing and regulations of the proposed parks.

Firstly, construction of the proposed marine parks is scheduled to start only in 2023, after the construction of the third runway has been completed. This means that while construction works are underway, the dolphins will already lose much of the area due to silt curtains, high speed ferries, and other anchored vessels. Furthermore, the dolphins’ travelling corridors will be deeply affected, and the Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park will be adversely impacted. The cumulative impacts just as a result of the construction work creates a huge flaw with the proposed marine park, in that there is very little reason to assume, without scientific evidence, that the dolphins would even return after construction has finished. 

Secondly, water activities such as passing vessels and fishing in or around the proposed marine parks will not be heavily controlled. There is an average of 51 vessels per hour passing through the waters around Southwest Lantau and the Soko Islands; boating is permitted in both the general use areas and core areas. Special permits will also allow citizens the right to various activities, including but not limited to fishing and anchoring in the area. These disturbances would not fully allow safe, quiet residency for the Chinese white dolphins.

With the construction of the third runway becoming a seemingly inevitable project, I strongly urge you to consider: 1) earlier construction of the proposed marine park, and 2) strict regulations on the type and speed of vessels passing in or around the marine park, or making the park a complete marine exclusion zone instead.