Diving in Sai Kung Issue & Gap Analysis Andries Temme Susan Voelkl.

Diving in Sai KungDiving in Sai KungIssue & Gap AnalysisIssue & Gap Analysis

Andries TemmeAndries Temme

Susan VoelklSusan Voelkl

ContentContent

Former Knowledge GapsFormer Knowledge Gaps Problems (Baseline Conditions)Problems (Baseline Conditions) Concerns StakeholderConcerns Stakeholder Benchmarking against other modelsBenchmarking against other models Alternatives/SuggestionsAlternatives/Suggestions Issues & DifficultiesIssues & Difficulties

Former Knowledge Former Knowledge GapsGaps Artificial Reefs in Hong KongArtificial Reefs in Hong Kong Boat Pollution (waste practices) Boat Pollution (waste practices) Influence of NGOs, NPOsInfluence of NGOs, NPOs StatisticsStatistics Equipment SupplierEquipment Supplier

Artificial Reefs in HK - Artificial Reefs in HK - PurposesPurposes Enhance Marine resourcesEnhance Marine resources

– Fisheries enhancement purposesFisheries enhancement purposes– Attracting & Supporting large populations of Attracting & Supporting large populations of

fishfish– Feeding opportunities for fishFeeding opportunities for fish

Rehabilitate degraded habitatsRehabilitate degraded habitats Protect spawning and nursery grounds Protect spawning and nursery grounds

and MPAs (trawlers)and MPAs (trawlers) Enhance habitat quality in open seabed Enhance habitat quality in open seabed

areas – provide complex, hard surface areas – provide complex, hard surface habitathabitat

ARs in HK - LocationsARs in HK - Locations

ARs in HK – ARs in HK – Port ShelterPort Shelter

ARs in HK - ARs in HK - BackgroundBackground July 1995: HK Government July 1995: HK Government

announced HK$108 million AR announced HK$108 million AR ProjectProject

1996: AR division within AFCD1996: AR division within AFCD 168,700m² of ARs in HK168,700m² of ARs in HK Deployment of vessels, concrete, Deployment of vessels, concrete,

quarry rock, and tyre reefsquarry rock, and tyre reefs

ARs in HK - StudiesARs in HK - Studies

Combination of ARs & „no take“ fisheries Combination of ARs & „no take“ fisheries protection areas -> significant ecological & protection areas -> significant ecological & economic benefitseconomic benefits– Benefits of „no take“ zones outweigh ARBenefits of „no take“ zones outweigh AR

Trawl ban would lead to gains in biomass, Trawl ban would lead to gains in biomass, benefits to remaining fishing sectors, long-term benefits to remaining fishing sectors, long-term economic gainseconomic gains

… … planned that AR deployment area at Outer planned that AR deployment area at Outer Port Shelter will form part of future FPAs & will be Port Shelter will form part of future FPAs & will be managed as "no-take" area where no fishing managed as "no-take" area where no fishing activities will be permitted … activities will be permitted …

Boat PollutionBoat Pollution

Illegal fuel (mainland)Illegal fuel (mainland)– Common practiceCommon practice

Suntan, shampoo, shower gelSuntan, shampoo, shower gel– ““We tell our customers not to use it – but We tell our customers not to use it – but

sometimes it happens”sometimes it happens” ToiletsToilets

– Most small boats don’t have a toilet on Most small boats don’t have a toilet on boardboard

Waste practices on boardWaste practices on board– ““We tell our customers not to throw We tell our customers not to throw

anything over board.....”anything over board.....”

Boat PollutionBoat Pollution

Disposal of wasteDisposal of waste– Diving boats: Facilities at Sai Kung harbourDiving boats: Facilities at Sai Kung harbour– Local fisher man: oceanLocal fisher man: ocean– Junk Boats: oceanJunk Boats: ocean

Noise pollutionNoise pollution– Sound travels 4 times faster in water (1,230 m/sec) Sound travels 4 times faster in water (1,230 m/sec)

than in air (340 m/sec)than in air (340 m/sec)– Military sonar, ships, oil exploration & drilling, Military sonar, ships, oil exploration & drilling,

offshore construction, motor boats, jet skis …offshore construction, motor boats, jet skis …– Disrupting and/or killing whales, dolphins, and other Disrupting and/or killing whales, dolphins, and other

marine lifemarine life– Longterm effects are NOT knownLongterm effects are NOT known

Influence of NGOs / Influence of NGOs / NPOsNPOs Groups that collaborate with GovernmentGroups that collaborate with Government

– WWFWWF– Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation SocietyHong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society

No direct influence but No direct influence but – Raising awarenessRaising awareness

Marker BuoysMarker Buoys ReefcheckReefcheck

– Since 1997 (carried out by WWF)Since 1997 (carried out by WWF)– Government since 2000 Government since 2000 – WWF: Government could do much moreWWF: Government could do much more

StatisticsStatistics

29 – 32 diving agencies in Hong Kong29 – 32 diving agencies in Hong Kong– Not all are members of the HKUANot all are members of the HKUA– 3 big companies3 big companies– EmployeesEmployees

Big agencies ~ 10 employeesBig agencies ~ 10 employees Small agencies ~ 5 employeesSmall agencies ~ 5 employees Mainly part-time (instructors)Mainly part-time (instructors) ~ 173 employees~ 173 employees

– BoatsBoats ~ 30 diving boats are leaving the harbor of SK on ~ 30 diving boats are leaving the harbor of SK on

a typical Sundaya typical Sunday Not all companies have their own boatsNot all companies have their own boats

Equipment SuppliersEquipment Suppliers

The good guys and the bad guys...... The good guys and the bad guys...... – Cheap agencies in KowloonCheap agencies in Kowloon

Mainly from ChinaMainly from China

– The ones that like to liveThe ones that like to live Mainly from Thailand & US (special parts Mainly from Thailand & US (special parts

from Italy)from Italy)

– No special tiesNo special ties

Problems Problems

Boat Pollution Boat Pollution – Suntan Suntan – Waste (toilet, food)Waste (toilet, food)

Fecal bacteria have negative influence on coral and Fecal bacteria have negative influence on coral and fish growth fish growth

– NoiseNoise Overland PollutionOverland Pollution

– Public transportPublic transport AnchoringAnchoring

– Scares away fish and damages coralScares away fish and damages coral– Retrieval can cause large chunk of coral to be Retrieval can cause large chunk of coral to be

brokenbroken

ProblemsProblems

DisturbanceDisturbance– Touching and Breaking of CoralTouching and Breaking of Coral

Beginner Courses – BuoyancyBeginner Courses – Buoyancy Oil and bacteria from skin harms coralsOil and bacteria from skin harms corals Breaking can lead to infection at wound siteBreaking can lead to infection at wound site

– Raising of sediment from the seafloorRaising of sediment from the seafloor Reduces photossynthesis of zooxathelaeReduces photossynthesis of zooxathelae

– Physical presencePhysical presence

Even though divers are very careful, Even though divers are very careful, statistics dictate that as more divers dive statistics dictate that as more divers dive disturbances will increasedisturbances will increase

Concerns StakeholderConcerns Stakeholder

Diving CommunityDiving Community– Overfishing & TrawlingOverfishing & Trawling– AnchoringAnchoring– Recreational activities (Junk boats, Jet Ski)Recreational activities (Junk boats, Jet Ski)

Pollution, SafetyPollution, Safety– Low-price agencies in KowloonLow-price agencies in Kowloon

Price dumping / safety issuesPrice dumping / safety issues AFCDAFCD

– Raising awareness (protection of corals, Raising awareness (protection of corals, anchoring, beginner courses...)anchoring, beginner courses...)

– Overfishing / fishing practices / trawlingOverfishing / fishing practices / trawling But limited activities....But limited activities....

– Disturbance of underwater lifeDisturbance of underwater life

Concerns StakeholderConcerns Stakeholder

Environmental groupsEnvironmental groups– WWF: SOS Campaign (next slide)WWF: SOS Campaign (next slide)– Overfishing / Fishing practices / TrawlingOverfishing / Fishing practices / Trawling– Healthy Marinelife, great biodiversityHealthy Marinelife, great biodiversity– Responsible waste disposalResponsible waste disposal– Disappointment with governmentDisappointment with government

Sai Kung residentsSai Kung residents– Amount of divers, traffic (limited concern...)Amount of divers, traffic (limited concern...)– Money flow into SK / IncomeMoney flow into SK / Income

Boats, Restaurants Boats, Restaurants

WWF - SOS CampaignWWF - SOS Campaign

AFCD 2004: seeking 3 changes to Fisheries AFCD 2004: seeking 3 changes to Fisheries Protection OrdinanceProtection Ordinance

WWF: That’s not enoughWWF: That’s not enough– Fishing Licence SchemeFishing Licence Scheme

Commercial fishing Commercial fishing licence (outside MPAs) licence (outside MPAs) WWF: Recreational fishing should also be coveredWWF: Recreational fishing should also be covered

– Fisheries Protection AreasFisheries Protection Areas Port Shelter, Tolo Harbour and ChannelPort Shelter, Tolo Harbour and Channel Bottom Trawling banned, other commercial fishing Bottom Trawling banned, other commercial fishing

types allowed with permit (except AR)types allowed with permit (except AR) WWF: FPAs should be no-take zones (no fishing all WWF: FPAs should be no-take zones (no fishing all

year round) – all Marine Parks, Port Shelter, Tolo year round) – all Marine Parks, Port Shelter, Tolo Harbour and Channel, Long Harbour. Network of no-Harbour and Channel, Long Harbour. Network of no-take zones. Also recreational fishing banned.take zones. Also recreational fishing banned.

Alternatives/Alternatives/SuggestionsSuggestions Governmental restrictionsGovernmental restrictions

– Toilets Toilets Boats that accomodate > than x people Boats that accomodate > than x people toilet toilet

– Annually Boat Check Annually Boat Check Clean propeller, well tuned engines that are Clean propeller, well tuned engines that are

insulated from hull (noise pollution)insulated from hull (noise pollution)– Quotas for certain spots during summer timeQuotas for certain spots during summer time

Carrying capacity, Corals need to rest (Port Shelter)Carrying capacity, Corals need to rest (Port Shelter) Stronger controlStronger control

– Fuel use (illegal fuel)Fuel use (illegal fuel)– Disposal at SK harbourDisposal at SK harbour

Alternatives/Alternatives/SuggestionsSuggestions MPAs or better No take zonesMPAs or better No take zones

– No or only licenced fishingNo or only licenced fishing– No anchoringNo anchoring– No trawlingNo trawling

EducationEducation– Why does Anchoring harm corals...Why does Anchoring harm corals...– Suntan, Shampoo, Shower gelSuntan, Shampoo, Shower gel– Beginner courses on sandy bottomBeginner courses on sandy bottom– Carrying capacity of CoralsCarrying capacity of Corals– Waste disposal Sai Kung – boatsWaste disposal Sai Kung – boats

Benchmarking against Benchmarking against other modelsother models Israel – EilatIsrael – Eilat

– Coral reserveCoral reserve No trawlingNo trawling No taking of corralsNo taking of corrals

– Small patchy reef areas, similar in size to HKSmall patchy reef areas, similar in size to HK– >250 000 divers per year on all sites>250 000 divers per year on all sites– High use sites show a decrease in coral coverHigh use sites show a decrease in coral cover– Carrying capacity at current types of use Carrying capacity at current types of use

around 25,000 per yeararound 25,000 per year Can be increased Can be increased

Benchmarking against Benchmarking against other modelsother models Thailand marine parksThailand marine parks

– Fishing is allowedFishing is allowed No trawlingNo trawling No explosivesNo explosives

– Not allowed to take any “animals” out of MPNot allowed to take any “animals” out of MP– Environmental and physical carrying capacity Environmental and physical carrying capacity

reachedreached CongestionCongestion Loss of marine lifeLoss of marine life

– Tourism important incomeTourism important income No quotas (e.g. for diving)No quotas (e.g. for diving)

Issues & DifficultiesIssues & Difficulties

Diving is no real problem in HKDiving is no real problem in HK– Carrying capacity (except Port Shelter)Carrying capacity (except Port Shelter)– More harmful: Junk boats, waste, overfishing, More harmful: Junk boats, waste, overfishing,

trawling...trawling... GovernmentGovernment

– Contradictionary role (restrictions might seem Contradictionary role (restrictions might seem ridiculous to the diving community)ridiculous to the diving community)

Fishermen Fishermen – Community against MPAs and No Take ZonesCommunity against MPAs and No Take Zones– Government: provide training, new jobs...Government: provide training, new jobs...

Junk Boat trips / Recreational activitiesJunk Boat trips / Recreational activities– Will still go onWill still go on

ReferencesReferences

Interviews with: Interviews with: * Bunn’s Diving Center* Bunn’s Diving Center* Prodive Diving Center* Prodive Diving Center* Splash Diving Center* Splash Diving Center* AFCD* AFCD* WWF* WWF

http://dmoz.org/Recreation/Outdoors/Scuba_Diving/Underwater_Life/http://dmoz.org/Recreation/Outdoors/Scuba_Diving/Underwater_Life/ http://www.padi.com/padi/common/dcnr1/results.aspx?country=HGKGhttp://www.padi.com/padi/common/dcnr1/results.aspx?country=HGKG http://www.dive-centers.net/diving-hong_kong-33.htmlhttp://www.dive-centers.net/diving-hong_kong-33.html http://oceanlink.island.net/oceanmatters/noise%20pollution.html http://oceanlink.island.net/oceanmatters/noise%20pollution.html http://see-the-sea.org/topics/pollution/noise/noise_pollution.htmlhttp://see-the-sea.org/topics/pollution/noise/noise_pollution.html http://www.americanboating.org/clean.asp#How%20to%20Be%20ahttp://www.americanboating.org/clean.asp#How%20to%20Be%20a

%20Clean%20Boater%20Clean%20Boater http://www.wwf.org.hk/eng/conservation/sos/index.phphttp://www.wwf.org.hk/eng/conservation/sos/index.php http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/

cou_vis_cou.htmlcou_vis_cou.html http://www.artificial-reef.net/http://www.artificial-reef.net/ http://www.forest.go.th/nrco/english/mnpd.htm#Managementhttp://www.forest.go.th/nrco/english/mnpd.htm#Management

Thx for your Thx for your attention!!attention!!