(c)
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what measures will be adopted by the relevant government departments to prevent more white dolphins from dying?
Answer:
Mr President.
(a)
(b)
(c)
In the past six months, there have been 10 confirmed strandings of the Indo Pacific hump-back dolphin, commonly known as Chinese white dolphin, in Hong Kong. Of these, nine were examined by Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD). The cause of death could only be determined for one. This was a fresh male subadult, which showed signs of having been caught and drowned in a fishing net. The remaining eight corpses were badly decayed and their cause of death could not be determined.
Past data show that there is usually a slight increase in the number of dolphin strandings during summer months which coincides with the calving season. The cause of death may possibly be a natural phenomenon of a usually higher mortality among young animals. However, further studies are necessary to test this hypothesis.
There is no evidence to associate dolphin mortality with infrastructural developments. Environmental contaminant studies aiming to establish any causal relationship between water quality and dolphin mortality are in progress. AFD has appointed a cetacean expert to undertake a two- year study on the dolphins. He is collecting blubber, liver and kidney samples from all strandings for various analyses, including organopollutants. When laboratory results from these samples become available in a few months' time, more information relating to the cause of dolphin strandings may be available.
We will establish a marine park around Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau where the Indo Pacific hump-back dolphins are mostly found. A Marine Mammal Conservation Working Group, comprising marine biologists, members of environmental groups and fishermen's groups as well as government staff, has been set up to prepare for the establishment and management of the marine park. There will be a vessel speed limit of 10 knots within the marine park. Trawling will be prohibited whilst sustainable fishing activities will be closely monitored and controlled through a permit system. Furthermore, a 500 metre exclusion zone for vessels around the Chek Lap Kok airport platform will offer additional areas of protection for the dolphins.