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"To give the dolphins a fighting chance of surviving in the 21st century all major threats must be identified. Having formulated a management strategy we will proceed to implement a management plan."
On the issue of Chinese white dolphins in Hong Kong territorial waters, Dr Lee said it came up following the decision to build the new airport at Chek Lap Kok. Large scale reclamation and associated development works had potential impact on these dolphins, whose population was so far little known.
A number of research studies and conservation work have been or being carried out by the Government to help protect these endangered mammals, he said.
In 1993, a three-year study on the local dolphin population was jointly conducted by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and the Swire Institute of Marine Science, University of Hong Kong,
In March last year, a one-year study, including a controversial estimate of the Chinese white dolphin population, was completed by Dr Thomas Jefferson, a consultant to the Airport Authority (AA).
Dr Jefferson is working closely with the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation and is continuing his studies under an agreement with AFD which commenced in April this year, he said.
Another AA's consultant, Dr B Wursig had recommended the Government set up a dolphin sanctuary in the waters north of Lantau. Indeed, the designation of a marine park around Lung Kwu Chau and East Sha Chau was gazetted last April. In early 1995, a Marine Mammal Conservation Working Group with members drawn from green groups, academics and other government departments was formed to advise the establishment of the marine park.
Turning to the colloquium, Dr Lee said the first two days' talk sessions were mainly on status of cetacean knowledge, Hong Kong marine environment, human influences and management aspects.
The group discussions on Wednesday will centre on topics including fishery interactions with human dimensions, water quality and pollution issues, dolphin watching, marine traffic and noise as well as habitat loss and fragmentation.
End