Thursday, 31 October 2013

Coral communities were not considered in the Draft Hoi Ha Outline Zoning Plan.

Introduction

This is a comment on Draft Hoi Ha Outline Zoning (OZP) Plan No. S/NE-HH/1.

The Draft Hoi Ha OZP was drawn up in recognition of the need to conserve areas of conservation value and protect the ecological significance of the area, yet only terrestrial species are considered as Species of Ecological Significance in the Draft OZP. No mention is made of the coral communities in Hoi Ha Wan, despite the fact it is an internationally recognized marine biodiversity hotspot.

The coral communities are the dominant feature of conservation and ecological significance in the area, yet the Draft OZP has been drafted as if the coral communities aren’t relevant or don’t exist. You cannot consider the ecology, conservation or development of Hoi Ha without discussing the coral communities.

See what was included in the Draft Hoi Ha Outline Zoning Plan and what was left out in the diagrams below.

Background

Hoi Ha Wan is one of the best sea areas in Hong Kong with good water quality and diverse marine life. It was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1989 in recognition of its coral communities and critically, because it was not affected by pollution. In 1996 it was designated a Marine Park.

The Marine Park has lush coral communities and is one of the best coral sites in Hong Kong. 64 out of 84 stony coral species recorded in Hong Kong can be found in the Marine Park, with some of the best coral sites recording over 50 species of stony corals. Studies have identified more than 120 species of coral associated fish, as well as diverse marine invertebrates and a new fish species has recently been discovered in the park.

Threats from pollution and sedimentation

When the SSSI and Marine Park were being established, only two threats significant enough to cause irreparable damage to the coral communities in Hoi Ha Wan were identified. These are pollution and sediment runoff from future development in the area, yet neither of these threats, nor the conservation value or ecological significance of the coral communities has been discussed in the Draft OZP.

Comment

If the General Planning Intent is to conserve the areas of conservation value and protect the ecological significance of the area, then no development in Hoi Ha can be undertaken without first specifically considering the needs of the coral communities.


What was included in the Draft Hoi Ha Outline Zoning Plan as Species of Conservation Interest



What was left out of the Draft Hoi Ha Outline Zoning Plan

Corals in Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park


Other marine biodiversity in Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park


Petition

If you want to object to the proposed development in Hoi Ha, please sign the petition here:


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