Transcript Conservation of 2 endangered species in Hong Kong

Conservation of 2 endangered species in Hong Kong
Chinese White Dolphin
Black-faced spoonbill

Adult female dolphins are usually
pink while adult males may retain
some grey spots.
Conservation of Chinese White Dolphin
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The Chinese White Dolphin is protected under the Wild
Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170) and the Animal and
Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance (Cap.
187). The Chinese White Dolphin is given the highest level
of protection under the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Appendix I.
The possible threats to the dolphins in Hong Kong
waters are:
* Habitat Loss and Disturbance
* Pollution
* Incidental Entanglement in Fishing Gear
* Vessel Collision
* Depletion of Food Resources
Conservation of Chinese White Dolphin
Since November 1996, 1200 hectares of sea area has been
designated around Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau as a Marine
Park in accordance with the Marine Parks Ordinance (Cap.
476).
The aims of the Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park
are as follows:
 protect and manage the marine environment and
resources of the area;
 control activities, where necessary and practical, for
conservation of the Chinese White Dolphin;
The Marine Parks Ordinance (Cap. 476) was enacted in
1995. The Ordinance provides for the designation,
control and management of marine parks and marine
reserve. The Marine Parks and Marine Reserves
Regulation (Cap 476 sub. leg.) was enacted in July 1996
The Regulation prohibits the following activities in a
marine park:
Unauthorized fishing, hunting and collecting animals and plants
 Damage of any shoreline feature located on a beach, mudflat, cliff
or seabed
 Damage of notices, markers or other installation used by the
Authority
 Possession of spear gun, explosives, chemicals or electric device
for fishing purposes
 Obstruction of waterways, polluting water body or littering
 Water skiing, jet skiing or water scootering
 Fish culture
 Unauthorized commercial activities, group activities, mooring and
anchoring
 Disturbance of the eggs, juvenile or the nesting sites of any
protected marine species

Contravention may lead to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for one year.
The Country and Marine Parks Authority may, at its discretion, issue permits to
conduct controlled activities such as fishing by bona fide fishermen or villagers,
meetings, group activities, sport competitions and commercial activities.
Are the dolphins protected in Hong Kong?
All marine mammals found in Hong Kong are protected
locally by the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170).
Import, export and possession of those animals are also
restricted under the Animal and Plants (Protection of
Endangered Species) Ordinance (Cap. 187).
Besides, Chinese White Dolphin is listed as
"Insufficiently Known" in the IUCN Red Data Book, and is
listed in CITES Appendix I (i.e. highest protection). In
China, it is listed as a "Grade 1 National Key Protected
Species".
So as to improve the seawater quality, the government is building
some new disposal systems, and upgrading the existing sewage
treatment facilities.
Artificial reefs were deployed in marine parks and other sites in order to
rebuild the local fish stock and therefore enhance the availability of the dolphinsÕ
preys. We are also formulating a fisheries resources conservation and management
plan to rectify the over-exploitation situation and to promote the sustainable
development of the fishing industry.
A comprehensive conservation programme for the Chinese White
Dolphin has been prepared. It specifies the conservation actions that
are needed to maintain the long-term viability of the dolphins that use
Hong Kong waters.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
organises various kinds of educational activities every year. such as
dolphin watch and beach clean-up activities in Sha Chau and Lung Kwu
Chau Marine Park, for schools and non-profit organizations.
Always look from a distance, don't seek to contact, touch, feed or harm
dolphins in the wild.
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When observing dolphins, always parallel the dolphin's course at slow speed.

Never approach dolphins head on; approach at an angle.
Black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minr )
a long-legged water bird, is found only in East Asia,
from North Korea to Vietnam. This migratory
bird usually visits Hong Kong between October and
April.
 There are only 1,069 Black-faced Spoonbills in the
world,
 eat a variety of seafood including shrimps, crabs,
snails and fish.
Conservation of Black-faced Spoonbill
The World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong tidies up the
reeds in the geiwais in Mai Po, adjusts their water level, and changes
their water frequently to provide a suitable feeding environment for
the bird.
Ramsar Convention (Convention on Wetlands) It is an
intergovernmental treaty. Its official name is "The Convention on
Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl
Habitat" adopted on 2 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar.
Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site is one of the 7 sites of China
included in "the List of Wetlands of International Importance".
The People's Republic of China is a contracting party to the
Convention, and about 1,500 ha of wetland in the Mai Po and Inner
Deep Bay was listed as a Ramsar Site in 4 September 1995. The area
is the largest wetland in Hong Kong. The wetland acts as a refueling
station and wintering site for thousands of migratory birds during
their migrations between the Arctic Russia and Australia. The total
migratory birds using the area may be over 120,000. Some of them
are globally threatened species such as Black-faced Spoonbill,
Saunders' Gull, Baikal Teal, Baer's Pochard and Dalmatian Pelican. The
site is also of special value for its large mangrove stands and reed
beds.
Enforcement
To better conserve the Ramsar site and protect the wildlife inside, the
Mai Po Marshes and the adjacent mudflats are listed in Schedule 6 of
the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance and access to the area is
restricted. Nature Wardens of the Agriculture, Fisheries and
Conservation Department are on high vigilance in patrolling the Ramsar
Site for detecting illegal activities including entry without a permit from
the authority. A high-speed hovercraft, the 'Mudsurfer', has launched
in assisting the patrol in the mudflats
The date of February 2 is the anniversary of the signing of the
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in Ramsar,
Iran in 1971 (commonly known as the Ramsar Convention). The
Ramsar Bureau has designated Feburary 2 as the World Wetlands
Day. A number of activities are being organized worldwide in
celebration of the day and to publicize the important values of
wetlands.
Visiting Mai Po Marshes Restricted AreaExperienced bird
watchers, conservationist and academic researchers who would
like to enter the Restricted Area with a purpose in line with
conservation of the Ramsar Site may apply to the Director of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation for a special permit to
enter the Mai Po Marshes Restricted Area. The World Wide
Fund for Nature Hong Kong (WWF-HK) works closely with the
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department in
management of the Mai Po Marshes. School parties or members of
the public may join the guided tours organized by WWF-HK with
prior booking.
Restricted Area without a special permit issued by the Director
of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, is liable to a maximum
fine of HK$50,000 on conviction
END