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Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (October 22) :

Question:

It has been reported that in May and June this year, more than 8 000 people, or roughly seven times the figure in April, took boat cruises for dolphin watching, with the peak number of boats engaged in such activities being at 30 a day. Some boats travelled very close to other boats, posing possible hazards; while some cut their way through schools of dolphins, causing serious disturbance to the habitat of dolphins. In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:

(a) of the measures in place to regulate dolphin watching activities;

(b) of the number of operators of such boats prosecuted for breaching legislation on marine and wildlife protection in each of the past 12 months; whether the Authorities have plans to step up law enforcement actions; if not, of the reasons for that; and

(c) whether they plan to step up the regulation of dolphin-watching activities; if so, of the details of the plans; if not, the reasons for that ?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) Operators of dolphin watching activities have to observe the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap.170) which provides that it is an offence to cause wilful disturbance to dolphins. When operating within marine parks, they also have to observe the requirements in the Marine Parks Ordinance (Cap.476) including the speed limit of 10 knots. Moreover, they are required to comply with marine control legislation applicable to all vessels including the safety requirements relating to vessel construction standards, navigation of the vessel, safety equipment, passenger capacity and qualifications for masters and engineers.

In the light of the increasing interest among members of the public to see the Chinese White Dolphins in Hong Kong's waters, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is monitoring closely dolphin watching activities through patrolling the dolphin sanctuary at the Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park and other waters in Hong Kong where the animals frequent. Since September this year, AFCD has been sending undercover officers on commercial dolphin watching boat cruises to check that no activities that may affect the well being of the animals are carried out. Enforcement actions will be taken where appropriate. Moreover, AFCD is also organising educational and publicity activities for operators of dolphin watching activities and members of the public through promulgating a Code of Conduct for Dolphin Watching, conducting seminars and making available educational and publicity pamphlets to teach people what they should do and what they should not do when participating in dolphin watching activities.

(b) & (c) Over the past 12 months, the Marine Department (MD) prosecuted one operator of dolphin watching cruise for carrying passengers of an excessive number on his vessel in August this year. MD is considering taking prosecution action against another operator involved in a collision incident for failing to keep a proper lookout.

MD and AFCD will continue their rigorous efforts in enforcing the law to enhance marine safety and protect the Chinese White Dolphins. AFCD will also strengthen its educational efforts through organising more seminars and training sessions for operators of dolphin watching activities and promoting the Code of Practice for Dolphin Watching in the community.

Ends/Wednesday, October 22, 2003

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