Contents
1.1 Background
1.2 Objectives of Coral Translocation
1.3 Purpose of this Report
1.4 Structure of this Report
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Methodology
2.3 Results
3 Post-Translocation
Monitoring
Appendix A Coral Health Monitoring Chart
Appendix B Photographic Records of
Pre-translocation Survey at Receptor Site, Yam Tsai Wan
Appendix
C Photographic Records of
Translocated and Tagged Natural Coral Colonies
1
Introduction
1.1
Background
According to
findings of the Northwest New Territories (NWNT) Traffic and Infrastructure
Review conducted by the Transport Department, Tuen Mun Road, Ting Kau Bridge, Lantau
Link and North Lantau Highway would be operating beyond capacity after
2016. This forecast has been based
on the estimated increase in cross boundary traffic, developments in the NWNT,
and possible developments in North Lantau, including the Airport developments,
the Lantau Logistics Park (LLP) and the Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge
(HZMB). In order to cope with the
anticipated traffic demand, two new road sections between NWNT and North Lantau
– Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL) and Tuen Mun Western Bypass (TMWB) are
proposed.
An
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of TM-CLKL was prepared in accordance
with the EIA Study Brief (No. ESB-175/2007) and the Technical Memorandum of the Environmental
Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM). The EIA Report was submitted under the
Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) in August 2009. Subsequent to the approval of the EIA
Report (EIAO Register Number AEIAR-145/2009), an Environmental Permit (EP-354/2009)
for TM-CLKL was granted by the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) on 4
November 2009, and EP variation (EP-354/2009A) was issued on 8 December
2010. Another application
for variation of environmental permit (VEP) (EP-354/2009/B) was granted on 28 January 2014.
Pursuant to Condition 2.6 of the EP, a detailed
coral translocation methodology has been submitted and approved by the
authorities for this Contract. In
accordance with the EM&A Manual,
coral translocation should be undertaken for the coral colonies at Tai Ho Wan
prior to construction of the temporary staging in order to reduce the potential
marine ecological impacts.
1.2
Objectives of Coral Translocation
According to
the approved EIA Report of the TM-CLKL, no corals were recorded in the southern
reclamation location and that the existing coral colonies on the seawall in the
southern landing area at Tai Ho Wan are far away (>10m) from the proposed
reclamation area and from either side of the viaduct piers. No direct impact on corals was thus
anticipated in the location of the southern viaduct landing area. However, during the design and
construction stage of the Southern Connection Viaduct Section, it became
apparent that the water depth in the vicinity of bridge structures south of the
Tung Chung Navigation Channel is too shallow. This constraint will prohibit
transportation of piling rigs and related plant by flat barges being towed by
tug boats to the piling locations.
Therefore, temporary staging platforms with associated extension from
the existing navigation channel/ land would be required.
The
construction of temporary staging would involve the removal of about 25 m rock
armor at each landing position (ie a total of three landing positions). According to the coral survey in the
approved EIA, coral colonies are identified at certain locations (for example,
survey station C7 as shown in Figure 1.1)
along the seawall of the North Lantau Highway section at Tai Ho Wan. Potential direct impact to the coral communities
at the affected seawall may thus arise.
In relation to
the above, the purpose of this coral translocation exercise is to translocate
the potentially affected coral colonies at the landing points along the seawall
of the North Lantau Highway section at Tai Ho Wan to the receptor site, Yam
Tsai Wan, prior to construction of the temporary staging in order to reduce the
potential marine ecological impacts to corals.
1.3
Purpose of this Report
The purpose of this Detailed Coral Translocation Report is to report findings of the
coral translocation exercise under which movable coral colonies which may
potentially be affected by the construction of temporary staging and the
Southern Connection Viaduct Section are translocated from the donor site at Tai
Ho Wan to the receptor site at Yam Tsai Wan. Findings of the pre-translocation survey
undertaken at both the donar and receptor sites are also presented in this
report.
1.4
Structure of this Report
The remainder
of the report is structured as follows:
Section 2:
Coral Translocation – Details the methodology and results of the
pre-translocation survey and coral translocation exercise.
Section 3:
Post-translocation Monitoring – Presents
details of the post-translocation monitoring for this Contract.
2
Coral Translocation
2.1
Introduction
The pre-translocation survey at the receptor site, Yam Tsai Wan, was
carried out on 19 October 2013. The
pre-translocation survey at the donar site at Tai Ho Wan,
coral translocation from the donor site to the receptor site as well as the
audit survey at the donar site were carried out on 24 October 2013. The weather conditions during the period
concerned above were summarized in Table
2.1.
Table 2.1 Weather
Conditions during the Pre-translocation Survey, Coral Translocation and Audit
Survey
|
Date |
Location |
Condition |
Underwater Visibility |
|
19 October 2013 |
Receptor site: |
Northeast force 4 to 5 |
Less than 0.5 m |
|
24 October 2013 |
Donor site: Receptor site: Yam Tsai Wan |
Northeast force 4 to 5 Sunny periods |
Both donor and receptor sites:
Less than 0.2 m |
2.2
Methodology
2.2.1
Pre-translocation Survey at Receptor Site
Pre-translocation survey was conducted at the proposed
receptor site, Yam Tsai Wan (Figure 2.1),
to ensure its suitability before the translocation of corals commenced at the
donor site of Tai Ho Wan. A spot-check
dive was conducted at the proposed receptor site and its vicinity to check for
the presence of coral colonies including the hard coral Balanophyllia sp. and
gorgonian Guaiagorgia sp. which were
observed in previous surveys and were the identified coral species for
translocation from the donar site.
Following the
spot-check dive, the substrate type and taxonomic composition of the receptor
site was assessed using REA method.
The REA survey was performed along a 100 m transect parallel to the
coastline (based on the preliminary results from the spot-check dive). The location of the REA transect was
recorded on-site using a handheld GPS unit. The GPS coordinates of the starting and ending points and maximum depth
of the REA transects are shown in Table
2.2.
Table 2.2 GPS
Coordinates of REA Transect Starting and Ending Points and Maximum Depth of the
Receptor Site, Yam Tsai Wan
|
Date |
GPS
Location at Starting Point |
GPS
Location at Ending Point |
Maximum
Depth (-mCD) |
|
19 October 2013 |
819928.99mE |
819979.74mE |
3.5 m |
|
|
821387.85mN |
821477.31mN |
The substrate
type along the length of the transect was recorded at
1 m intervals. The number of colonies, sizes and types of corals as well as their
abundance, depth and health status were recorded. Photographs of representative taxa along
the transect were also taken during the surveys.
Health status of
coral was assessed by the following criteria:
·
Gorgonian
coral: Percentage of branches
exhibiting partial mortality and secretion of mucus.
·
Hard
coral: Percentage of surface area
exhibiting partial mortality and blanched/ bleached area using specially designed
Coral Health Monitoring Chart (Appendix A).
The benthic cover
(Tier I) and taxon abundance (Tier II) of the transect
were assessed in a swathe 2 m wide, 1 m either side of the transect. Two assessment categories (Tiers) were
used in the surveys, as follows:
Tier I – Categorization of Benthic Cover
Upon the completion of each transect, ecological and
substratum attributes (Table 2.3) were assigned to standard ranked ordinal categories (Table
2.4).
Table 2.3 Tier
I Benthic Attribute Categories
|
Ecological Attributes |
Substratum Attributes |
|
Hard
Coral |
Hard Substrata |
|
Dead
Coral |
Bedrock/
Continuous Pavement |
|
Octocoral
(Soft Corals and Gorgonians) |
Boulder
blocks (diam. >50cm) |
|
Anemone
Beds |
Boulder
blocks (diam. <50cm) |
|
Dead
Standing Corals |
Rubble |
|
Other
Benthos (sponges, zoanthids, ascidians and bryozoans) |
Other |
|
Macroalgae |
Soft Substrata |
|
|
Sand |
|
|
Silt |
|
|
Mud |
Table 2.4 Tier I Ordinal Ranks of Percentage
Cover of Benthic Attributes
|
Rank |
Percentage Cover |
|
0 |
None
Recorded |
|
1 |
1-5% |
|
2 |
6-10% |
|
3 |
11-30% |
|
4 |
31-50% |
|
5 |
51-75% |
|
6 |
76-100% |
For substratum attributes, it is preferable to record actual estimates
of cover. The percentage of hard
substrata vs. soft substrata can be provided (eg 80% and 20%
respectively). The percentage cover
of the types of hard or soft substrata could also then be presented (eg bedrock
pavement 60%, rubble 20%, sand 15%, mud / silt 5%). Similarly,
recording and presenting actual estimates of, for instance, hard and soft coral
cover may be more informative (eg <1%).
Tier II – Taxonomic Inventories to Define Types of Benthic
Communities
An inventory of benthic taxa along each transect was compiled
during the survey. Taxa were
identified in situ to the
following levels:
·
Hard
corals to species, where possible;
·
Soft
corals, anemones and conspicuous macroalgae to genus level, where possible;
·
Other
benthos (including sponges, zoanthids, ascidians and bryozoans) to genus level,
where possible.
For each
transect, each taxon in the inventory was ranked in terms of abundance in the
community (Table 2.5). The taxon categories were ranked in
terms of relative abundance of individuals, rather than the contribution to
benthic cover along each transect.
The ranks are visual assessments of abundance, rather than quantitative
counts of each taxon.
Representative photos of organisms were taken.
Table 2.5 Ordinal Ranks of Taxon
Abundance
|
Rank |
Relative Abundance |
|
0 |
Absent
|
|
1 |
Sparse |
|
2 |
Uncommon |
|
3 |
Common |
|
4 |
Abundant |
|
5 |
Dominant |
In order to
distinguish the natural variation in health status of corals and the effects to
health status due to coral translocation, a total of 10 natural coral colonies
of the same species as those translocated from the donor site within and
adjacent to the receptor site were randomly selected and tagged. Baseline information was collected for
these tagged coral colonies before translocation and the type of information
collected would be the same as those collected for the coral colony during the
baseline survey at the donor site.
The baseline information collected would be used for the purpose of
post-translocation monitoring.
2.2.2
Pre-translocation Survey and Coral Translocation at
the Donor Site
A coral mapping survey was conducted at the donor site at Tai Ho Wan as
part of the pre-translocation coral survey. The location of the donor site is shown
in Figure
2.2. Since the underwater visibility at the donor site is very low
(<0.2m), photo taking and relocating of all tagged coral colonies after
coral mapping is almost impossible.
Therefore, coral translocation was undertaken concurrently after
locating the movable coral colonies.
The locations of any hard corals and gorgonians encountered were
mapped. The size and health
condition (including percentage cover of bleaching, mortality, degree of
sedimentation) of the corals were recorded. The feasibility of translocation of
coral colonies including but not limited to those of conservation importance
were also assessed.
The
following procedures were performed during coral translocation to minimize
stress and prevent damage to corals, as far as possible.
l
All tagged movable boulder (with diameter <50 cm)
supporting coral colony which was selected for translocation would be moved
entirely as a whole object, lifted from the sea bottom and loaded to ship/boat
with lifting bag.
l
The coral colonies transferred onto the vessel were
fully submerged in seawater tanks of suitable size with continuous aeration
onboard. Each seawater tank held no
more than four boulders to avoid overcrowding.
l
Ambient water quality parameters such as sea surface
water temperature and dissolved oxygen were measured once (with at least three
replicates) at the coral donor site on the day of coral translocation. The seawater quality in the tanks was
checked every 10 minutes to ensure no fluctuation above 10% of ambient occurs
to the seawater in which the coral colonies were submerged.
l
Corals were transported to the receptor site as soon
as possible on the same day following the removal. The vessel progressed in a slow and
steady speed (<5 knots) when approaching close to the receptor site.
l
When arriving at the coral receptor site, SCUBA
divers, under the supervision of marine biologist with relevant experience,
carefully placed the boulders with coral colonies one by one to the seabed in
order to minimize disturbance to the seabed and/or sediment. The coral colonies were positioned to
similar depths and orientations as their previous locations at the donor site
as far as possible.
l
Divers would tag translocated colonies at the receptor
site with small plastic labels (e.g. with colony number) anchored or attached
on nearby hard substratum using epoxy without touching the corals. All tags were anchored in vicinity of
the coral colonies at distances not so close to interfere with the potential
growth. This would allow the
revisit of the coral colonies during the post-translocation monitoring.
l
Divers would record the size, location, health
conditions (percentage of mortality and bleaching), percentage cover of
sediment of each translocated coral colony after the completion of
translocation works using the same methodologies adopted in the
pre-translocation coral survey.
Photographs of each translocated coral upon completion of translocation
would be taken and used as a baseline for future monitoring.
l
After translocation was completed, an audit survey was
carried out on the same day at donor site to determine if all movable corals
have been translocated.
2.3
Results
2.3.1
Pre-translocation Survey at Receptor Site
Results of Spot-check Dive
Result of qualitative spot-check dive confirmed that the seabed of the
proposed receptor site at Yam Tsai Wan was composed of natural bedrock and
boulders. The cover of hard
corals and octocorals was less than 1% with three coral species (Oulastrea crispata, Balanophyllia sp.
and Guaiagorgia sp.) recorded (Table 2.6).
Table 2.6 Coral
Species Recorded during Spot-check Dive at Receptor Site, Yam Tsai Wan
|
Taxon |
Family |
Species |
|
Hermatypic Hard Coral Species |
Faviidae |
Oulastrea crispata |
|
Ahermatypic Coral Species |
Dendrophyllidae |
Balanophyllia sp. |
|
Octocoral |
Gorgoniidae |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
Results of REA Survey
A 100 m transect was surveyed at the receptor site, Yam Tsai Wan. Location of REA survey is presented in Figure 2.1.
The seabed at the
REA survey area of Yam Tsai Wan was predominately composed of natural bedrock
and boulders down to water depth of -4mCD whilst sand was the main substrate
type beyond -4mCD.
Cover of hard corals and octocorals were only about 1% along the REA
transect with only one hermatypic hard coral species (Oulastrea crispata), one ahermatypic coral species (Balanophyllia sp.) and one octocoral
species (Guaiagorgia sp.)
recorded. Results of Tier I showing
seabed attributes along the REA transect are presented in Table 2.7. Results of Tier II showing
ordinal rank of taxon abundance are presented in Table 2.8. All
coral species recorded are common and have a widespread distribution throughout
Hong Kong’s nearshore waters.
Table 2.7 Seabed
Attributes along the Semi-Quantitative Survey Transect
|
Zone |
Rank |
|
|
Seabed attributes (a) |
|
|
|
Hard
Substrata |
|
|
|
Bedrock/ Continuous Pavement |
4 |
|
|
Boulders blocks (diam. >50cm) |
3 |
|
|
Boulders blocks (diam. <50cm) |
1 |
|
|
Rubble |
0 |
|
|
Soft Substrata |
|
|
|
Sand |
1 |
|
|
Mud/Silt |
0 |
|
|
Mud |
0 |
|
|
Ecological
attributes (a) |
|
|
|
Hard coral |
1 |
|
|
Dead coral |
0 |
|
|
Octocoral (Soft Corals and Gorgonians) |
1 |
|
|
Anemone Beds |
0 |
|
|
Dead Standing
Corals |
0 |
|
|
Other Benthos (sponges, zoanthids, ascidians and bryozoans) |
0 |
|
|
Macroalgae |
0 |
|
Notes: (a) 0=
None Recorded, 1=<5% Cover, 2= 6-10% Cover, 3 = 11-30% Cover, 4 = 31-50%
Cover, 5 = 51-75%, Cover, 6 = 76-100% Cover.
Table 2.8 Tier
II Results - Ordinal Rank of Taxon Abundance
|
Type |
Taxon/Family |
Species |
Ordinal Rank(a) |
|
Hermatypic Hard Coral |
Faviidae |
Oulastrea crispata |
1 |
|
Ahermatypic Coral |
Dendrophyllidae |
Balanophyllia sp. |
1 |
|
Octocoral |
Gorgoniidae |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Benthos |
Muricidae |
Thais luteostoma |
1 |
|
|
Mytillidae |
Septifer virgatus |
1 |
|
|
Anthocidaris crassispina |
1 |
Note: (a) 0 = Absent,
1 = Sparse, 2 = Uncommon, 3 = Common, 4 = Abundant, 5 = Dominant.
A total of 69 coral
colonies (16 colonies of Oulastrea crispata, 31
colonies of Guaiagorgia
sp. and 22 colonies of Balanophyllia
sp.) were recorded along the REA transect ([1]). In general, the health
conditions of all coral colonies observed were in fair condition. Species, size and health conditions of
coral colonies observed along the REA transect are presented in Table 2.9. Representative photographs taken during
the pre-translocation survey at Yam Tsai Wan are shown in Appendix B. The substrate type along
the 100 m transect was also recorded at 1 m intervals and results are shown in Table 2.10.
Table 2.9 Coral
Species, Size and Health Conditions of Corals along the REA Transect
|
Number |
|
Size (cm, Height /Diameter) |
% Partial Mortality |
% Bleaching |
Coral Watch |
% Mucus |
|
1 |
Oulastrea
crispata |
10 |
0 |
0 |
4.5 |
0 |
|
2 |
Oulastrea
crispata |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
3 |
Oulastrea
crispata |
15 |
0 |
0 |
4.5 |
0 |
|
4 |
Oulastrea
crispata |
10 |
0 |
0 |
4.5 |
0 |
|
5 |
Oulastrea
crispata |
7 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
6 |
Oulastrea
crispata |
10 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
7 |
Oulastrea
crispata |
9 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
8 |
Oulastrea
crispata |
6 |
0 |
0 |
5.5 |
0 |
|
9 |
Oulastrea
crispata |
11 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
10 |
Oulastrea
crispata |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
11 |
Oulastrea
crispata |
3 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
12 |
Oulastrea
crispata |
15 |
0 |
0 |
5.5 |
0 |
|
13 |
Oulastrea
crispata |
10 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
14 |
Oulastrea
crispata |
9 |
0 |
0 |
5.5 |
0 |
|
15 |
Oulastrea
crispata |
7 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
16 |
Oulastrea
crispata |
11 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
17 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
15 |
15 |
N/A |
N/A |
5 |
|
18 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
20 |
20 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
19 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
22 |
15 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
20 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
9 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
21 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
10 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
22 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
18 |
35 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
23 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
22 |
30 |
N/A |
N/A |
5 |
|
24 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
25 |
10 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
25 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
17 |
15 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
26 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
14 |
10 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
27 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
23 |
15 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
28 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
26 |
25 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
29 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
32 |
40 |
N/A |
N/A |
5 |
|
30 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
16 |
10 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
31 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
23 |
55 |
N/A |
N/A |
10 |
|
32 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
25 |
15 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
33 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
18 |
25 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
34 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
16 |
30 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
35 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
23 |
35 |
N/A |
N/A |
5 |
|
36 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
29 |
40 |
N/A |
N/A |
5 |
|
37 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
16 |
15 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
38 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
27 |
25 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
39 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
19 |
20 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
40 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
14 |
5 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
41 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
21 |
10 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
42 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
16 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
43 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
15 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
44 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
35 |
25 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
|
45 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
32 |
35 |
N/A |
N/A |
10 |
|
46 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
28 |
50 |
N/A |
N/A |
5 |
|
47 |
Guaiagorgia
sp. |
38 |
60 |
N/A |
N/A |
10 |
|
48 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
49 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
50 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
51 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
52 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
53 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
4.5 |
0 |
|
54 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
55 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
56 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5.5 |
0 |
|
57 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
58 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
59 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
60 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
4.5 |
0 |
|
61 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5.5 |
0 |
|
62 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
63 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
64 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
65 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
66 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
67 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
4.5 |
0 |
|
68 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
69 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
Table 2.10 Substrate
Type recorded along REA Transect at Receptor Site, Yam Tsai Wan
|
Substratum along REA at 1 Meter interval |
Meter |
Substratum along REA at 1 Meter interval |
Meter |
Substratum along REA at 1 Meter interval |
Meter |
Substratum along REA at 1 Meter interval |
|
|
1 |
Bedrock |
26 |
Bedrock |
51 |
Bedrock |
76 |
Boulder |
|
2 |
Bedrock |
27 |
Bedrock |
52 |
Bedrock |
77 |
Cobble |
|
3 |
Bedrock |
28 |
Cobble |
53 |
Bedrock |
78 |
Bedrock |
|
4 |
Bedrock |
29 |
Cobble |
54 |
Bedrock |
79 |
Bedrock |
|
5 |
Bedrock |
30 |
Cobble |
55 |
Bedrock |
80 |
Bedrock |
|
6 |
Boulder |
31 |
Cobble |
56 |
Sand |
81 |
Bedrock |
|
7 |
Boulder |
32 |
Boulder |
57 |
Bedrock |
82 |
Boulder |
|
8 |
Boulder |
33 |
Boulder |
58 |
Bedrock |
83 |
Bedrock |
|
9 |
Bedrock |
34 |
Boulder |
59 |
Boulder |
84 |
Bedrock |
|
10 |
Bedrock |
35 |
Boulder |
60 |
Boulder |
85 |
Bedrock |
|
11 |
Boulder |
36 |
Boulder |
61 |
Boulder |
86 |
Cobble |
|
12 |
Boulder |
37 |
Bedrock |
62 |
Boulder |
87 |
Cobble |
|
13 |
Bedrock |
38 |
Bedrock |
63 |
Bedrock |
88 |
Cobble |
|
14 |
Bedrock |
39 |
Boulder |
64 |
Bedrock |
89 |
Bedrock |
|
15 |
Boulder |
40 |
Boulder |
65 |
Boulder |
90 |
Bedrock |
|
16 |
Bedrock |
41 |
Boulder |
66 |
Boulder |
91 |
Bedrock |
|
17 |
Bedrock |
42 |
Boulder |
67 |
Sand |
92 |
Bedrock |
|
18 |
Bedrock |
43 |
Boulder |
68 |
Sand |
93 |
Bedrock |
|
19 |
Boulder |
44 |
Boulder |
69 |
Sand |
94 |
Bedrock |
|
20 |
Boulder |
45 |
Boulder |
70 |
Boulder |
95 |
Bedrock |
|
21 |
Boulder |
46 |
Bedrock |
71 |
Boulder |
96 |
Bedrock |
|
22 |
Boulder |
47 |
Bedrock |
72 |
Boulder |
97 |
Bedrock |
|
23 |
Cobble |
48 |
Bedrock |
73 |
Boulder |
98 |
Bedrock |
|
24 |
Bedrock |
49 |
Bedrock |
74 |
Bedrock |
99 |
Bedrock |
|
25 |
Bedrock |
50 |
Bedrock |
75 |
Bedrock |
100 |
Bedrock |
Ten (10) coral colonies of Guaiagorgia
sp. were tagged at the receptor
site. Health conditions of the
tagged colonies are summarized in Table 2.11 These
data will be used for the purpose of post-translocation monitoring. Photos of the tagged coral colonies are
shown in Appendix C.
Table 2.11 Sizes, Mortality, Bleaching and
Sediment of Tagged Coral Colonies at Receptor Site, Yam Tsai Wan ([2])
|
Coral # |
Species |
Size (cm) – Max. Diameter/Height |
Mortality (%) |
Bleaching (%) |
Sediment (%) |
|
1 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
25 |
5 |
N/A |
0 |
|
2 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
32 |
35 |
N/A |
0 |
|
3 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
28 |
15 |
N/A |
0 |
|
4 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
38 |
25 |
N/A |
0 |
|
5 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
27 |
40 |
N/A |
0 |
|
6 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
28 |
25 |
N/A |
0 |
|
7 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
21 |
10 |
N/A |
0 |
|
8 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
26 |
30 |
N/A |
0 |
|
9 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
19 |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
|
10 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
35 |
35 |
N/A |
0 |
Overall, it is considered that the proposed
receptor site, Yam Tsai Wan, would have sufficient space to receive all
translocated coral colonies from donor site, Tai Ho Wan. Therefore, Yam Tsai Wan is considered to
be a suitable receptor site for coral translocation for this Contract.
2.3.2
Pre-translocation Survey and Coral Translocation at
Donor Site
Thirteen (13) Guaiagorgia sp. colonies in Tai Ho Wan
were successfully translocated to the receptor site at Yam Tsai Wan on 24
October 2013. Areas at the donor
site with movable coral colonies were marked in Figure 2.2 and area at the receptor site within which translocated coral colonies were placed was shown in Figure 2.1 with relevant information (ie
location, depth, substrate) presented in Table 2.12. The general health conditions (size,
mortality, bleaching and sediment) of translocated corals from Tai Ho Wan were
recorded and summarized in Table 2.13 while
conditions of coral which were not translocated were presented in Table 2.14. Photos of the translocated coral colonies from donor site are shown in Appendix C.
An audit survey was
carried out at Tai Ho Wan on 24 October 2013 after coral translocation was
completed and it is confirmed that all movable coral colonies that may
potentially be affected by the construction works were translocated to Yam Tsai
Wan.
Table 2.12 GPS
Coordinates, Average Depth and Bottom Substrate of Translocated Corals in
Receptor Site, Yam Tsai Wan
|
Date |
GPS Location |
Average Depth (-mCD) |
Bottom Substrate |
|
24 October 2013 |
819970.235 mE |
2.5 m |
Natural bedrock and boulders |
|
|
821491.654 mN |
Table 2.13 Size, Mortality, Bleaching and Sediment Cover of
Translocated Coral Colonies from Donor Site, Tai Ho Wan
|
Coral # |
Species |
Size (cm) – Max Height |
Mortality (%) |
Bleaching (%) |
Sediment (%) |
|
Tai Ho Wan |
|
||||
|
1 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
7 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
2 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
9 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
3 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
5 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
4 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
8 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
5 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
13 |
10 |
N/A |
0 |
|
6 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
8 |
70 |
N/A |
0 |
|
7 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
6 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
8 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
7 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
9 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
19 |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
|
10 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
15 |
35 |
N/A |
0 |
|
11 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
22 |
55 |
N/A |
0 |
|
12 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
14 |
20 |
N/A |
0 |
|
13 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
16 |
45 |
N/A |
0 |
Table 2.14 Size,
Mortality, Bleaching and Sediment Cover of Coral Colonies at Donor Site, Tai Ho
Wan, which were not Translocated under the Coral Translocation Exercise
|
Coral |
Species |
Size (cm) – Max. Diameter/Height |
Mortality (%) |
Bleaching (%) |
Sediment (%) |
|
1 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
15 |
10 |
N/A |
0 |
|
2 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
10 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
3 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
11 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
4 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
14 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
5 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
15 |
5 |
N/A |
0 |
|
6 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
12 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
7 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
13 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
8 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
17 |
25 |
N/A |
0 |
|
9 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
13 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
10 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
14 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
11 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
12 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
12 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
14 |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
|
13 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
9 |
15 |
N/A |
0 |
|
14 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
13 |
20 |
N/A |
0 |
|
15 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
21 |
20 |
N/A |
5 |
|
16 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
15 |
15 |
N/A |
0 |
|
17 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
15 |
15 |
N/A |
0 |
|
18 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
13 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
19 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
15 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
20 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
15 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
21 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
13 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
22 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
17 |
25 |
N/A |
5 |
|
23 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
15 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
24 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
19 |
15 |
N/A |
0 |
|
25 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
15 |
10 |
N/A |
0 |
|
26 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
11 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
27 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
14 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
28 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
12 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
29 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
15 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
30 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
15 |
20 |
N/A |
0 |
|
31 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
12 |
25 |
N/A |
0 |
|
32 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
23 |
15 |
N/A |
10 |
|
33 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
25 |
0 |
N/A |
15 |
|
34 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
15 |
15 |
N/A |
0 |
|
35 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
16 |
10 |
N/A |
10 |
|
36 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
14 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
37 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
7 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
38 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
13 |
5 |
N/A |
0 |
|
39 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
16 |
5 |
N/A |
0 |
|
40 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
11 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
41 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
16 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
42 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
25 |
25 |
N/A |
35 |
|
43 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
25 |
50 |
N/A |
30 |
|
44 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
26 |
55 |
N/A |
35 |
|
45 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
13 |
0 |
N/A |
5 |
|
46 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
15 |
10 |
N/A |
0 |
|
47 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
15 |
25 |
N/A |
0 |
|
48 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
14 |
25 |
N/A |
0 |
|
49 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
16 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
50 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
9 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
51 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
10 |
5 |
N/A |
0 |
|
52 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
15 |
5 |
N/A |
0 |
|
63 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
34 |
25 |
N/A |
0 |
|
64 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
12 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
55 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
26 |
0 |
N/A |
55 |
|
56 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
23 |
5 |
N/A |
60 |
|
57 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
17 |
0 |
N/A |
10 |
|
58 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
13 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
59 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
14 |
10 |
N/A |
0 |
|
60 |
Guaiagorgia sp. |
13 |
10 |
N/A |
0 |
|
61 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
62 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
63 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
64 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
65 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
66 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
67 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
68 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
69 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
70 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
71 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
72 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
73 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
74 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
75 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
76 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
77 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
78 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
79 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
80 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
81 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
82 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
83 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
84 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
85 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
86 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
87 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
88 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
89 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
90 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
91 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
92 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
93 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
94 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
95 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
96 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
97 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
98 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
99 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
100 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
101 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
<0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
102 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
103 |
Balanophyllia
sp. |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3
Post-Translocation
Monitoring
Thirteen (13) movable coral colonies of Guaiagorgia sp., which may potentially be affected by the construction
of temporary staging and Southern Connection Viaduct Section of TM-CLK Link
Project, were successfully translocated from the existing seawall at Tai Ho Wan
to the receptor site, Yam Tsai Wan.
Following the translocation, the translocated coral colonies
as well as the tagged natural coral colonies at the receptor site will be
monitored once every three (3) months for a period of 12 months in order to
track the health status of the translocated corals.
The tentative
schedule of the quarterly post-translocation monitoring is provided in Table 3.1 below. A Post-Translocation
Monitoring Report will be submitted to EPD and AFCD two weeks after completion
of each quarterly survey.
Table 3.1 Schedule of Quarterly
Post-Translocation Monitoring
|
Post-Translocation Monitoring Survey |
Timing |
|
1st
Quarterly Monitoring |
January 2014 3 months
after the translocation works |
|
2nd
Quarterly Monitoring |
April 3014 6 months
after the translocation works |
|
3rd
Quarterly Monitoring |
July 2014 9 months
after the translocation works |
|
4th
Quarterly Monitoring |
October 2014 12 months
after the translocation works |
Post-translocation
monitoring results will be evaluated against Action and Limit Levels which will
be based on recorded changes in percentage of partial mortality of the corals (Table 3.2). If the defined
Action Level or Limit Level for coral monitoring is exceeded, the actions as
set out in Table 3.3 will be
implemented.
Table 3.2 Action and Limit Levels
for Post-Translocation Coral Monitoring
|
Parameter |
Action Level Definition |
Limit Level Definition |
|
Mortality |
If during Impact Monitoring a 15% increase in the
percentage of partial mortality on the corals occurs at more than 20% of the translocated
coral colonies that is not recorded on the original corals at the receptor
site, then the Action Level is exceeded. |
If during Impact Monitoring a 25% increase in the
percentage of partial mortality on the corals occurs at more than 20% of the
translocated coral colonies that is not recorded on the original corals at
the receptor site, then the Limit Level is exceeded. |
Table
3.3 Event
and Action Plan for Post-Translocation Monitoring
|
Event |
Action |
|||
|
ET Leader |
IEC |
SOR |
Contractor |
|
|
Action Level Exceedance |
1. Check monitoring data 2. Inform the IEC, SOR and
Contractor of the findings; 3. Increase the monitoring to at
least once a month to confirm findings; 4. Propose mitigation measures for
consideration |
1. Discuss monitoring with the ET and
the Contractor; 2. Review proposals for additional
monitoring and any other measures submitted by the Contractor and advise the
SOR accordingly. |
1.
Discuss with the IEC additional monitoring requirements
and any other measures proposed by the ET; 2.
Make agreement on the measures to be implemented. |
1.
Inform the SOR and confirm notification of the
non-compliance in writing; 2.
Discuss with the ET and the IEC and propose measures to
the IEC and the SOR; 3.
Implement the agreed measures. |
|
Limit Level Exceedance |
1.
Undertake Steps 1-4 as in the Action Level Exceedance. If
further exceedance of Limit Level, propose enhancement measures for
consideration. |
1. Discuss monitoring with the ET
and the Contractor; 2. Review
proposals for additional monitoring and any other measures submitted by the
Contractor and advise the SOR accordingly. |
1. Discuss with the IEC additional
monitoring requirements and any other measures proposed by the ET; 2. Make agreement on the measures to
be implemented. |
1. Inform the SOR and confirm
notification of the non-compliance in writing; 2. Discuss with the ET and the IEC
and propose measures to the IEC and the SOR; 3. Implement the agreed measures. |