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(e) The aviation fuel receiving facility (AFRF) at Sha Chau is located inside the proposed SLMP. The AFRF is not a fuel depot. There are no storage tanks at Sha Chau nor has any fuel related facility been constructed on Sha Chau. The AFRF is an off-shore berthing facility constructed on piles to reduce marine impacts. It will receive approximately 4 fuel delivery vessels per day with all fuel pumped directly from the vessels via an undersea pipeline to the on-airport fuel storage facility.
(1)
The environmental implications of the AFRF have been fully evaluated in a detailed environmental impact assessment study (EIA). The EIA was reviewed by an internationally renowned cetacean expert, Dr Bern Wursig, who concluded that the facility by itself would unlikely have negative effects on the dolphins. The construction impacts of the facility on the dolphins and the marine environment are minimised through implementation of mitigation measures. One of such measures is the use of a bubble curtain.
Yes, other measures to protect the Indo Pacific hump-back dolphin include:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
a general regulation to limit the speed of marine traffic to not exceeding 10 knots within the sanctuary;
for the temporary Aviation Fuel Receiving Facility at Sha Chau, recommended zero discharge and low impact dredging pollution control measures will be implemented throughout the construction phase to reduce potential impact to the marine environment. Oil pollution control measures and oil spill equipment such as oil boom and skimmers will be provided to minimise the risk of oil pollution and contamination during the operational phase;
a 500 m exclusion zone for vessels around the airport platform will offer additional areas of protection for the dolphins; and
the consultancy study now in progress may propose other
measures.