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Document reference: |
411565 | 3.10 | A |
Information class: |
Standard |
This document is issued for the party which commissioned it and for specific purposes connected with the above-captioned project only. It should not be relied upon by any other party or used for any other purpose. We accept no responsibility for the consequences of this document being relied upon by any other party, or being used for any other purpose, or containing any error or omission which is due to an error or omission in data supplied to us by other parties. This document contains confidential information and proprietary intellectual property. It should not be shown to other parties without consent from us and from the party which commissioned it. |
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Contents
1.1 Background of the Project 2
1.3 Environmental Status and Programme 3
2 Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring 4
Tables
Table 1.1: Contact Information of Key Personnel
Table 2.1: Co-ordinates of Transect Lines in WL Survey Area
Table 2.2: Dolphin encounter rates per set in WL survey area during the reporting period
Figures
Figure 1 Transect Line Layout in West Lantau Survey Area
Appendices
Appendix A Project Organisation for Environmental Works
Appendix B Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring Results
Appendix C Monitoring Schedule
This Monthly Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Report is prepared for “Agreement No. HMWSD 1/2019 (EP) Post-Construction Monitoring of Chinese White Dolphin (Line-transect Vessel Surveys) for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road at West Lantau Waters – Investigation” (hereafter referred to as “the Assignment”) for the Highways Department of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited was appointed by the Highways Department of HKSAR to undertake the Environmental Team services for this Assignment for the post-construction monitoring of Chinese White Dolphin in West Lantau waters for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road Project.
This is the Monthly EM&A Report for the 20th month of the post-construction phase of the Project which summarises findings of the post-construction EM&A activities during the reporting period from 1 to 30 June 2020.
Environmental Monitoring and Audit Progress
A summary of the post-construction monitoring activities during the reporting period is listed as below:
● Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring (Line-transect Vessel Surveys): 2 and 22 June 2020
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Link Road (HKLR) is a designated project under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO). The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report and Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual (EIA Register No.: AEIAR-144/2009) for the project were approved by the Director of Environmental Protection in October 2009 and the Environmental Permit No. EP-352/2009 (EP) was issued in November 2009. The EP has been subject to several variations and the current one is EP No. EP-352/2009/D.
The HZMB HKLR was constructed under two works contracts namely Contract No. HY/2011/03 (HZMB HKLR – Section between Scenic Hill and Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF)) and Contract No. HY/2011/09 (HZMB HKLR – Section between HKSAR Boundary and Scenic Hill). In accordance with the EP, the Contractors of Contract No. HY/2011/03 and Contract No. HY/2011/09 have separately employed their own Environmental Team (ET) and ET Leader to conduct construction phase monitoring of Chinese White Dolphin (CWD) in the North Lantau (NL) and West Lantau (WL) waters following the requirements specified in the EM&A Manual and the relevant contract specifications of the two contracts.
In accordance with Section 10.3 of the EM&A Manual, an ecological monitoring and audit programme is needed which will monitor potential impacts through construction and operation activities, and will verify the assessments which were made in the EIA report. In particular, the programme should include dolphin monitoring at NL and WL waters to be set up in order to verify the predictions of impacts and to ensure that there are no unforeseen impacts on the dolphin population during construction phase. Such dolphin monitoring should cover the pre-construction phase, the entire period of construction phase and after the completion of construction works (i.e. post-construction phase).
The main objective of the current Assignment commissioned by the Highways Department (HyD) is to conduct Post-Construction Monitoring of CWD in WL waters in compliance with the requirements stipulated in the EM&A Manual and the EP for the HZMB HKLR Project. The post-construction monitoring of CWD should be conducted for two years upon the completion of all marine-based construction activities.
The marine-based construction activities for the Contract No. HY/2011/09 was completed in October 2018. Subsequently, 10 months of post-construction dolphin monitoring had been carried out by the Contract, while the remaining 14 months of post-construction dolphin monitoring will be completed under this Assignment, from 1 September 2019 to 31 October 2020.
In August 2019, Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited was appointed by the HyD to undertake the Environmental Team (ET) services for this Assignment for the post-construction monitoring of CWD in WL waters for the HZMB HKLR Project. This is the Monthly EM&A Report for the 20th month of the post-construction phase of the Project summarising the findings of the post-construction EM&A activities during the reporting period from 1 to 30 June 2020, and is submitted to fulfil Condition 4.4 of the EP.
The project organisation and lines of communication with respect to the environmental management structure are shown in Appendix A. The key personnel contact names and numbers are summarised in Table 1.1.
Table 1.1: Contact Information of Key Personnel
Party |
Position |
Name |
Telephone |
Fax |
Permit Holder (HyD) |
Engineer |
Ms. Karen Ho / |
2762 4979 |
3188 6614 |
Environmental Project Office / Independent Environmental Checker (Ramboll Hong Kong Limited) |
Environmental Project Office Leader |
Mr. Y H Hui |
3465 2888 |
3465 2899 |
Independent Environmental Checker |
Mr. Manson Yeung |
3465 2836 |
3465 2899 |
|
Environmental Team (Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited) |
Environmental Team Leader |
Mr. Gary Chow |
2828 5874 |
2827 1823 |
As described in Section 1.1, the current Assignment is under the post-construction phase of the HZMB HKLR Project with all marine-based construction activities completed, thus there were no construction works involved.
The CWD monitoring programme covers all transect lines in WL survey area (refer to Figure 1) for twice per month throughout the entire post-construction monitoring period for two years. The current reporting period is the 20th month of the post-construction CWD monitoring.
Landscape monitoring has been conducted by other parties for Contract No. HY/2011/09 since July 2019 with a monitoring programme for once in bi-monthly intervals throughout the landscape establishment period for one year. The 6th bi-monthly landscape establishment monitoring covering the reporting periods from May to June 2020 has already been covered and conducted on 11 and 22 May 2020.
The CWD monitoring schedule for this reporting period and the tentative schedule of the planned CWD monitoring works in the next reporting period are provided in Appendix C.
According to the requirement stated in the EM&A Manual, a CWD monitoring programme was set up to conduct surveys for twice per month adopting the line-transect vessel survey method and covering the following transect lines in the West Lantau (WL) survey area as in the AFCD long-term marine mammal monitoring programme.
The CWD monitoring works were undertaken by a dedicated survey team comprising qualified dolphin specialist and experienced CWD surveyors. The qualified dolphin specialist was approved by the AFCD and EPD.
The location of the WL survey area and all transect lines are depicted in Figure 1. The co-ordinates of all transect lines are shown in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1: Co-ordinates of Transect Lines in WL Survey Area
Line No. |
Easting |
Northing |
|
Line No. |
Easting |
Northing |
||
1 |
Start Point |
803750 |
818500 |
|
7 |
Start Point |
800200 |
810450 |
1 |
End Point |
803750 |
815500 |
|
7 |
End Point |
801400 |
810450 |
2 |
Start Point |
803750 |
815500 |
|
8 |
Start Point |
801300 |
809450 |
2 |
End Point |
802940 |
815500 |
|
8 |
End Point |
799750 |
809450 |
3 |
Start Point |
802550 |
814500 |
|
9 |
Start Point |
799400 |
808450 |
3 |
End Point |
803700 |
814500 |
|
9 |
End Point |
801430 |
808450 |
4 |
Start Point |
803120 |
813600 |
|
10 |
Start Point |
801500 |
807450 |
4 |
End Point |
801640 |
813600 |
|
10 |
End Point |
799600 |
807450 |
5 |
Start Point |
801100 |
812450 |
|
11 |
Start Point |
800300 |
806500 |
5 |
End Point |
802900 |
812450 |
|
11 |
End Point |
801750 |
806500 |
6 |
Start Point |
802400 |
811500 |
|
12 |
Start Point |
801760 |
805450 |
6 |
End Point |
800660 |
811500 |
|
12 |
End Point |
800700 |
805450 |
The following monitoring protocol is consistent and compatible with the baseline and construction phase dolphin monitoring methodology, which was also designed and adopted by the Hong Kong Cetacean Research Project (HKCRP) team for the HZMB monitoring since 2011.
The survey team used standard line-transect methods (Buckland et al. 2001) to conduct the systematic vessel surveys, and followed the same technique of data collection that has been adopted over the past two decades of marine mammal monitoring surveys in Hong Kong developed by HKCRP (see Hung 2018, 2019). For each monitoring vessel survey, a 15-m inboard vessel with an open upper deck (about 4.5 m above water surface) was used to make observations from the flying bridge area.
Two experienced observers (a data recorder and a primary observer) made up the on-effort survey team, and the survey vessel transited through different transect lines at a constant speed of 13-15 km per hour. The data recorder searched with unaided eyes and filled out the datasheets, while the primary observer searched for CWD continuously through 7 x 50 Fujinon marine binoculars. Both observers searched the sea ahead of the vessel, between 270o and 90o (in relation to the bow, which is defined as 0o). One to two additional experienced observers were available on the boat to work in shift (i.e. rotate every 30 minutes) in order to minimize fatigue of the survey team members. All observers are experienced in small cetacean survey techniques and identifying local cetacean species.
During on-effort survey periods, the survey team recorded effort data including time, position (latitude and longitude), weather conditions (Beaufort sea state and visibility), and distance travelled in each series (a continuous period of search effort) with the assistance of a handheld GPS (Garmin eTrex). Data including time, position and vessel speed were automatically and continuously logged by a handheld GPS throughout the entire survey for subsequent review.
When dolphins were sighted, the survey team would end the survey effort, and immediately record the initial sighting distance and angle of the dolphin group from the survey vessel, as well as the sighting time and position. Then, the research vessel would be diverted from its course to approach the animals for species identification, group size estimation, assessment of group composition, and behavioural observations. The perpendicular distance (PSD) of the dolphin group to the transect line would later be calculated from the initial sighting distance and angle.
Survey effort being conducted along the parallel transect lines that were perpendicular to the coastlines (as indicated in Figure 1) was labelled as “primary” survey effort, while the survey effort being conducted along the connecting lines between parallel lines was labelled as “secondary” survey effort. According to HKCRP long-term dolphin monitoring data, encounter rates of CWD deduced from effort and sighting data collected along primary and secondary lines have been similar in survey areas around Lantau Island. Therefore, both primary and secondary survey effort were presented as on-effort survey effort.
Encounter rates of CWD (number of on-effort sightings per 100 km of survey effort) were calculated in WL survey area in relation to the amount of survey effort conducted during each month of monitoring survey. Only data collected under Beaufort 3 or below condition would be used for encounter rate analysis. Dolphin encounter rates were calculated using primary survey effort alone, as well as the combined survey effort from both primary and secondary lines.
When a group of CWD was sighted during the line-transect survey, the survey team would end effort and approach the group slowly from the side and behind to take photographs of them. Every attempt was made to photograph every dolphin in the group, and even photograph both sides of the dolphins whenever possible, since the colouration and markings on both sides may not be symmetrical.
At least one professional digital camera (Canon EOS 7D model) equipped with long telephoto lens (100-400 mm zoom) was available on board for researchers to take sharp, close-up photographs of dolphins as they surface. The images were shot at the highest available resolution and stored on Compact Flash memory cards for downloading onto a computer.
All digital images taken in the field were first examined, and those containing potentially identifiable individuals were sorted out. These photographs were then examined in greater detail, and were carefully compared to the existing CWD photo-identification catalogue maintained by HKCRP since 1995. CWDs can be identified by their natural markings, such as nicks, cuts, scars and deformities on their dorsal fin and body, and their unique spotting patterns can also be used as secondary identifying features (Jefferson 2000).
All photographs of each individual were then compiled and arranged in chronological order, with data including the date and location first identified (initial sighting), re-sightings, associated dolphins, distinctive features, and age classes entered into a computer database.
Two sets of systematic line-transect vessel surveys were conducted on 2 and 22 June 2020, to cover all transect lines in WL survey area twice. The survey routes of each survey day are presented in Figures 2 to 3 of Appendix B.
A total of 66.08 km of survey effort was collected, with 100% of total survey effort being conducted under favourable weather conditions (i.e. Beaufort Sea State 3 or below with good visibility), as detailed in Appendix B. Out of the 66.08 km of survey effort, the total survey effort conducted on primary lines was 43.57 km, while the effort on secondary lines was 22.51 km.
During the two sets of monitoring surveys, five groups of 15 CWDs were sighted. Four of the five dolphin groups were sighted during on-effort search, with three of these sightings being made on primary lines. One dolphin group was sighted during off-effort search (refer to sighting data presented in Appendix B). None of these dolphin groups were associated with operating fishing vessel.
Distribution of the dolphin sightings made in the reporting period is shown in Figure 4 of Appendix B. The five sightings were all recorded in the southern portion of the WL survey area far away from the HKLR alignment, with three of them sighted near Fan Lau.
Encounter rates of CWD deduced from the survey effort and on-effort sighting data made under favourable conditions (Beaufort 3 or below) are shown in Table 2.2 and Table 2.3.
Table 2.2: Dolphin encounter rates per set in WL survey area during the reporting period
Survey Area |
Survey Set |
Encounter rate (STG) |
Encounter rate (ANI) |
|
|
Primary Lines Only |
Primary Lines Only |
West Lantau (WL) |
Set 1: June 2nd, 2020 |
9.2 |
27.5 |
Set 2: June 22nd, 2020 |
4.6 |
13.8 |
Table 2.3: Overall dolphin encounter rates on primary lines only as well as both primary and secondary lines in WL survey area during the reporting period
Survey Area |
Encounter rate (STG) |
Encounter rate (ANI) |
||
|
Primary Lines Only |
Both Primary and Secondary Lines |
Primary Lines Only |
Both Primary and Secondary Lines |
West Lantau (WL) |
6.9 |
6.1 |
20.7 |
16.6 |
The average group size of CWDs was 3.0 dolphins per group. All five dolphin sightings were consisted of small groups of 1-4 animals per group.
A total of 11 different individual CWDs were identified 12 times during surveys, with details presented in Appendix B. Besides one animal (WL79) being re-sighted twice, 10 of them were re-sighted once during this reporting period. Notably, two individuals (WL21 and WL98) were sighted with their young calves during the reporting period.
Post-construction EM&A works including the monitoring of CWD and landscape establishment were conducted in accordance with the EM&A Manual during the reporting period.
In this month of post-construction monitoring of CWD in WL waters, vessel surveys were conducted on 2 and 22 June 2020 covering all transect lines in WL survey area twice. A total of 66.08 km of survey effort was collected, with five groups of 15 CWDs were sighted. All marine-based construction activities have been completed and as a result, no adverse impact on CWD was observed from the HZMB HKLR works.