ENHANCEMENT OF FISHERIES RESOURCES

Deployment of Artificial Reefs
Preserving the biodiversity of the marine environment and enhancing the resources of local fisheries are the main objectives of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Since 1996, the Department has been implementing an artificial reefs programme to enhance local marine resources and protect marine parks as well as important spawning and nursery grounds. Up to 2005, some 165,570 m³ of artificial reefs have been deployed.

The first phase in the deployment of artificial reefs using redundant vessels, old tyres, quarry rocks and concrete structures in Hoi Ha Wan and Yan Chau Tong Marine Parks, was completed in 1999. In 2003, 14 bio-filter type artificial reefs were created at the two marine parks to further increase habitat complexity and overall fisheries performance of the artificial reefs sites. A total of 386 artificial reefs, with an entire volume of 29,350 m³ were formed under the first phase.

The second phase, completed in 2004, involved deployment of artificial reefs at the fish nursery grounds in Outer Port Shelter and Long Harbour. Specially designed and constructed steel vessels with added tyre and quarry rock components, purpose-built reinforced concrete modules and numerous materials of opportunity, such as redundant structures for marine piers, have been employed at these two sites. A total of 155 artificial reefs, with a total volume of 125,820 m³ were created under the second phase.

Two artificial reefs projects have been implemented in western waters. Artificial reefs were deployed in Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park and in the Chek Lap Kok Marine Exclusion Zone. The aims of these initiatives were to enhance and protect these marine areas for the benefit of the Chinese White Dolphin, and marine resources in general. A total of 76 artificial reefs, with a total volume of 9,180 m³ were deployed.

The monitoring results have indicated that the artificial reef is an effective resource enhancement device. Biodiversity and abundance of commercial fishes found around the artificial reefs are much higher than those observed in nearby natural rocky shore areas. More than 220 fish species, including many commercially important as well as some rare species, have so far been recorded at the complex artificial habitats. The reefs serve as refuge within which fishes can feed, shelter, spawn and nurse their young.

Artificial Reefs as Biofilters
A trial using artificial reefs as biofilters to improve the water quality in fish culture zones, undertaken jointly with the City University of Hong Kong, was completed in 2004. The test was conducted at the Kau Sai Fish Culture Zone in Sai Kung, where 16 biofilter units were deployed in March 2002. These specially designed biofilters provide hard surfaces for attaching filter-feeding organisms and provide attractive locations for fish to feed and shelter.

The results of the study proved that filter-feeding organisms living on the biofilters efficiently fed and assimilated the organic wastes derived from fish farming. The biofilters have also led to the establishment of a diverse community of fish. The various activities conducted by these organisms have helped remove organic wastes and suspended particles, thereby improving the seabed environment within the fish culture zone.

SUPPORT OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Organic Farming
Organic farming produces crops through sound, comprehensive management of the entire farming environment, including the plant itself and the air, water and soil in which it grows. No chemical pesticides and fertilisers, or genetically engineered materials are used throughout the whole cultivation process.

Since December 2000, the Department has been helping local farmers shift toward organic farming practices. Under this conversion scheme, we extend the necessary knowledge to farmers and provides them with technical support and low-interest loans, while the Vegetable Marketing Organisation assist farmers to sell their organic produce through its established sales channels.

In 2005, 38 farms spanning an area of 19 hectares across Ng Ka Tsuen, Tai Kong Po, Ping Che, Tai Po and Fung Kat in the New Territories, participated in the scheme. Together, they produced about two tonnes of organic vegetables per day. An extensive range of vegetable varieties were produced including lettuce, white cabbage, flowering cabbage, water spinach, Chinese spinach, Chinese kale, Garland chrysanthemum, egg plant, bitter cucumber, wax gourd, yard-long bean, cherry tomato and carrot.

The Department actively supports the Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre (HKORC), a non-profit organisation co-founded by the Hong Kong Baptist University, the Hong Kong Organic Farming Association and the Produce Green Foundation to develop and implement certification standards for organic production and processing in Hong Kong. The standards were formally launched in December 2004, and some 20 applications were processed.

Pun Choi Mega Feast
"Pun Choi" is a traditional cuisine served within local village clans at times of celebration. In 2003 and 2004, the department worked with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) and the trade to carry out a series of promotional activities including exhibitions, cooking contests and fun fairs, to promote local agricultural and fisheries produce. In both years, the highlight of each event was the "Pun Choi Mega Feast" where local produce was used as the main ingredient. Held at the former Kai Tak Airport in 2003, and Tamar in 2004, the event received enthusiastic support from the community, and attracted close to 10,000 people each year.

AVIAN INFLUENZA INCIDENTS

Strengthening Precautions
Biosecurity measures targeting local farms, wholesale markets and retail markets have been progressively enhanced since the outbreaks of H5N1 virus in May 2001. Some 38 measures have been implemented to enhance biosecurity. Individual Biosecurity Requirements are necessary for licensed poultry farms. AFCD staff conduct a minimum of fortnightly visits to monitor the farms.

The vaccination trial on farms in Pak Sha district and its western extended region was completed in May 2003. Studies show that the vaccine is suitable for use in Hong Kong as a basic measure for the control of H5N1 avian influenza. All chickens in Hong Kong must be vaccinated with the inactivated H5N2 vaccine, a requirement that has been in place since June 2003. Four weeks after the two injections are administered, vaccinated chickens are randomly selected to test for antibody levels in their blood. Having confirmed that the chickens have a satisfactory level of H5 antibodies, an approval number is issued to the farm for the sale of chickens.

To ensure that chickens imported from the Mainland have the same level of antibody protection as those in Hong Kong, an agreement was reached with Mainland authorities in 2003 whereby chickens exported to Hong Kong for consumption would be vaccinated with the inactivated H5N2 avian influenza vaccine. Since January 15, 2004, all live chickens have been vaccinated with the inactivated H5N2 avian influenza vaccine.

To further strengthen biosecurity at the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market, the department constructed disinfectant baths at the market entrances to sterilise the wheels of incoming and outgoing vehicles and prevent the spread of pathogens. In October 2003, it implemented a Demerit Points System to ensure hygiene standards of vehicles carrying live poultry. A CCTV system was also installed in October 2004 to allow continuous monitoring of market operations.

Temporary Suspension of Live Chicken Imports
Following the outbreaks of avian influenza in Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Japan, South Korea and Thailand in late 2003, there were subsequent human cases of infection reported in Vietnam and Thailand. On the evening of January 27, 2004, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council notified the Territory that avian influenza infections were found in a duck farm in Guangxi Province. On the following day, importation of live chickens from the Mainland was temporarily suspended. At the same time, carcass collection service was provided to local chicken farms to enhance monitoring. In early 2004, it was agreed with the Mainland authorities that only day-old chicks from farms approved by the authorities would be allowed to be exported to Hong Kong. Importation of live chickens from the Mainland for local consumption resumed on April 20, 2004, while carcass collection service for chicken farms stopped on May 1; also, the importation of day-old chicks from the Mainland resumed on June 25. During the temporary suspension of live chicken imports, no avian influenza virus had been found locally in any wild bird or poultry sample.

Because of the temporary suspension of day-old chick imports from the Mainland, local farms could not maintain their production cycle, incurring losses to farmers. To alleviate their financial difficulties, an exgratia payment of $1.15 million in total was provided in mid-2004 to the farms concerned.

Voluntary Surrender Scheme for Poultry Farms
The avian influenza outbreaks that struck Southeast Asia in 2004 clearly indicate that viruses are becoming more pathogenic – growing resistant to certain anti-viral drugs. To reduce the risk of human infection from the disease and to deal with the possibility of a pandemic, the Administration reviewed the risk management of live poultry in Hong Kong. It was concluded that contact between humans and large numbers of live poultry should be minimised in order to reduce the risk of an epidemic occurring in Hong Kong, and that the total live chicken population be reduced to half.

As the Administration will proceed with implementing regional slaughtering in Hong Kong, the existing modus operandi of live poultry farming and wholesaling will undergo fundamental change. The Administration deems it appropriate to introduce a voluntary surrender scheme for licensed poultry farmers who no longer wish to operate in the new environment. The scheme was submitted to the Legislative Council on March 14, 2005 and consultation work has commenced.

RED IMPORTED FIRE ANTS

In January 2005, the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) Solenopsis invicta, an invasive alien species, was discovered in the Hong Kong Wetland Park in Tin Shui Wai. By the end of March 2005, approximately 2,000 ant mounds had been discovered from more than 80 sites in the New Territories and Lantau Island. A preliminary assessment of the pest's status showed that RIFA has settled in Hong Kong for quite some time and the occurrence of the ants seemed to coincide with planting of tree sapling or plants with soil imported from the Mainland.

Soon after detection of the pest, all related government departments jointly conducted surveillance work and carried out pesticide treatment to control RIFA populations discovered in areas or premises under their management. The Department provided technical support to all concerned parties on RIFA control as well as specimen identification. We also publicised information to educate the public on RIFA, using the Internet, publicity leaflets and posters. What's more, technical training workshops were organised for local pest control companies while stepped-up border inspections on potted plants imported from the Mainland were also conducted. Data on RIFA infestation was gathered and a geographic information system was established to map out the ants' presence in the Territory. In addition, an advisory group was established by the Department, comprising of local pest control experts, government officials and university researchers. Matters relating to the control of RIFA will be presented to the Administration.

CROCODILE IN SHAN PUI RIVER

Capture Operations
In early November 2003, Nam Sang Wai villagers discovered a juvenile crocodile of about 1.5m long inhabiting the Kam Tin River. The species, a Crocodylus porosus (Saltwater Crocodile), is commonly found in the waters of Southeast Asia, New Guinea and northern Australia – but not in Hong Kong.

The Department mobilised staff for 24-hour surveillance of the little crocodile and monitored the trap to ensure public safety. After a few days of effort without success, more cage traps were set up in the area. On November 13, 2003, John Lever, an Australian crocodile expert arrived in Hong Kong under a sponsorship programme organised by a local newspaper. His strategy to catch the little crocodile by using a harpoon proved futile.

Following this setback, a Mainland team of crocodile experts sponsored by yet another local newspaper arrived in Hong Kong on December 6. Attempts by the team to capture the elusive crocodile again proved unsuccessful.

Paralleling such efforts, the Department maintained and improved the cage traps along the Kam Tin River. Several newly designed traps were also set up at strategic locations along Shan Pui River tracing the movements of the reptile. During the winter months, the crocodile was not active, and the trapping operation proved difficult. As the weather got warmer, it became active again and was curious of the new traps. On several occasions the crocodile crawled into the traps but dashed away when disturbed by the approach of people.

In the morning of June 10, 2004, the little crocodile was captured alive by a snare designed and produced by the Department. The trap was set up at Kam Tin River where it was first spotted. A local fisherman at the scene offered a set of nets to cover the little crocodile, concluding the months-long operation on a high note.

"The Precious One" – Pui Pui
The crocodile was subsequently sent to the Department's Animal Management Centre for health check and was quarantined for 2 weeks. The Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) offered assistance for temporary sheltering and tending of the animal before its permanent home in the Hong Kong Wetland Park is available in 2006. Members of the public are welcome to visit the little crocodile at KFBG.

The young reptile was given the name "Pui Pui" through a contest jointly held with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) in July 2004. Pui Pui was chosen out of 1,600 entries received, as the name means "the precious one" and can also be referred to the Shan Pui River, where the crocodile was found.

ECOLOGICAL SURVEYS AND DATABASE

The Department drew up a survey programme back in 2002 with the intention of establishing a more comprehensive territory-wide ecological database for Hong Kong in phases by 2005. The survey programme covers all major habitats of high conservation value in Hong Kong, including the location, status and composition of fung shui woods, as well as the distribution and abundance of selected animal groups. The species groups selected are ones that are widely used as indicator species of ecological value, level of disturbance and/or status of different habitats/sites.

So far, more than 35,000 records of about 1,500 species of plants and animals have been collected, verified, and stored preliminarily on spreadsheets for internal reference. Each record contains general information such as location, collection time and abundance, and some also contain specific information such as gender and stage of lifecycle where applicable. The data enables preliminary assessment of the ecological importance of different sites and species on a territory-wide scale and facilitates the formulation of more detailed ecological studies for specific sites and species.

The findings confirm that Hong Kong has rich biodiversity . A number of species new to Hong Kong or even new to science were also found . The findings also suggest that our protected areas encompass a very significant portion of this biodiversity. For the species groups surveyed and analysed, more than 95 per cent of the terrestrial and freshwater representatives that are regularly seen in Hong Kong have representative population(s) inside our protected areas.

To boost public interest in local biodiversity and win public support for nature conservation, the Department has established an internet-based database on representative species and habitats for public access. The pilot phase of this internet website, called the Hong Kong Biodiversity Online (www.hkbiodiversity.net), is now available for public browsing. In the longer term, the Department plans to develop a systematic database containing baseline information on the natural environment and biodiversity of Hong Kong, incorporating data collected in the surveys and ecological information available from other sources.

As follow up to the surveys, the Department will pursue long-term, continuous monitoring and repeated surveys to update the database. Based on experience gained in the surveys, a strategy for continuously updating the database from 2005 onward will be developed.

Wetland Park
The Department has undertaken regular ecological monitoring in the Hong Kong Wetland Park (HKWP) since early 2003. The primary objective of monitoring is to collect baseline data on biodiversity at the HKWP site before and during construction. The survey covered birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, odonates, butterflies and aquatic plants.

In the years 2003 and 2004, 162 species of bird species were recorded in the Park . Half of them were waterbirds or wetland-dependant birds, including the rare Black-faced Spoonbill and Greater Painted Snipe. The majority of these wetland birds were seen feeding or roosting on the artificially created mudflat. During the period, 9 amphibian species, 9 reptile species, 8 mammal species, 10 fish species, 37 species of odonates and 101 species of butterflies were recorded.

NATURE CONSERVATION POLICY REVIEW

The Department has reviewed the existing nature conservation policy and measures, and consulted the public on practical ways to achieve conservation goals. Another important aim is to enhance the conservation of ecologically important sites that are privately owned. A new nature conservation policy has been drawn up under which ─

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there is a new policy statement with clearer vision and policy objectives;
a scoring system has been adopted for assessing the relative ecological importance of sites with the objective of identifying a list of priority sites for enhanced conservation;
a pilot scheme will be implemented for the two new measures, viz. management agreements with landowners and public-private partnership (PPP);
existing nature conservation measures will continue and be enhanced;
the Wetland Advisory Committee will be converted into a nature conservation sub-committee of the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE);
conservation education and publicity will be enhanced; and
establishment of a nature conservation trust will be further explored.

RESTORATION OF THE TUNG CHUNG STREAM

About 330 metres of the Tung Chung stream was found damaged by unauthorised works in late 2003. The stream bed was excavated while boulders and pebbles on the stream bed were removed and stockpiled along the stream bank. The stream benthic and riparian habitats were damaged severely. Upon report of the incident, the Lands Department immediately stopped the unauthorised works, and carried out an investigation on the case. The contractor responsible for carrying out the unauthorised works was identified and made responsible for reinstating the damaged section of the stream. Subsequently, related offenders were prosecuted and convicted in court.

An inter-departmental Task Force, chaired by the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau with members from the Department and other relevant government departments, was set up to examine the reinstatement plans, and to oversee the subsequent implementation of reinstatement works. A specialist group, comprising members from the Advisory Council on the Environment and green/interest groups was convened to advise the Task Force. The main objective was to restore the natural setting of the damaged stream through reinstatement of the longitudinal and cross-sectional profiles, re-laying of boulders and pebbles, creation of meanders, riffles and pools to enhance habitat diversity and replanting of vegetation along the stream bank to restore the riparian habitats. The work commenced in February 2004 and was completed in mid-April 2004.

Following completion of the reinstatement works, the Department started a two-year programme to monitor ecological recovery of the reinstated section. An undisturbed natural section immediately upstream has been selected as a reference site. The monitoring programme covers physical characteristic, water quality, vegetation, aquatic macro-invertebrates and fish communities. Preliminary results show that the recovery process is progressing well. The pools, riffles and boulders have been rearranged in a more natural setting by the natural forces of water flow. The number of fish species and marco-invertebrates (e.g. larva of dragonflies) recorded in the reinstated section are increasing and comparable to those recorded at the reference site. In particular, a locally rare fish species of conservation interest, Acrossocheilus beijiangensis , has returned to the reinstated section. Vegetation has also re-colonised the damaged stream bank, which is now covered by grasses, shrubs and young trees. The Department will continue to monitor ecological recovery of the reinstated section of the stream for another year and decide whether further enhancement works would be required.

NATURE APPRECIATION

Enhancing Country Park Facilities
During the outbreak of SARS in 2003, large numbers of citizens rushed to the countryside for exercise and fresh air. The unusually high number of visitors to the country parks during weekends and public holidays, particularly around the Easter holidays, put pressure on existing recreational facilities. To keep country parks clean, tidy and in good hygienic condition, the cleansing frequency of public toilets and recreational sites increased. Working hours of country parks staffs were also extended to the late evenings in order to provide better services to park visitors. Urgent improvement of toilet facilities in terms of quantity and quality was carried out as well.

Designation of Lai Chi Wo Special Area
A feng shui woodland of about one hectare at Lai Chi Wo was designated a "Special Area" under the Country Parks Ordinance on 15 March 2005. This is the 16th special area in Hong Kong and is located on a slope behind Lai Chi Wo Village, adjacent to the Plover Cove Country Park. It is a well-developed woodland with dense upper canopy and a distinct and dense under-storey. It has high ecological value and contains more than 100 species of plants, some of which are uncommon in Hong Kong. A few old and large trees with unusual forms can also be found within the Special Area.

Lai Chi Wo Special Area is managed for conservation and educational purposes. For this reason, a new Lai Chi Wo Nature Trail of about 1.2 kilometres was established, linking up the special area, Lai Chi Wo Village and the coastal area. Consisting of village footpaths and boardwalks passing through different points of ecological interest and cultural heritage, primeval bed of Coastal Heritiera and giant White-flowered Derris can be found. Plants are labelled so that visitors can find out what species they are looking at as they walk along the 45-minute trail.

Books on Nature Education
To promote understanding of the rich natural resources and country parks in Hong Kong, the Department and Friends of the Country Parks have jointly published a series of books for different ages. From 2003 to 2005, more than 30 new books including field guides on plants and animals, introductory books on country parks, and handbooks with recommended hiking routes were published. Furthermore, 15 titles of children's books were also published, providing children and parents with information on local plants and animals. The public response to these books has been encouraging.

Live Stranding of Marine Mammals
A sperm whale was found stranded in Sai Kung in July 2003. Despite concerted rescue efforts, the animal failed to survive on its own and was put to rest, subsequently buried in Sai Kung. Another live stranding of a Chinese white dolphin was found in Double Haven in August 2003. It also did not survive despite strenuous efforts to rescue it.

A rough-toothed dolphin "Siu Tik" was stranded and rescued at Lok Tik Wan in May 2004. It was taken to the Ocean Park for rehabilitation. Despite intensive care and treatment for several months, Siu Tik did not fully recover and died in March 2005. The dolphin's skeleton will be placed on display for the public to observe.