ENG-1995 — Page 464

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THE ENVIRONMENT

which at least 150 species are of commercial importance. A largely tropical resident marine fauna is bolstered when the monsoonal flow brings in cooler waters, with transient species such as the yellow croaker and melon seed typically found off Northern China and Japan.

Local waters range broadly from the predominantly brackish in the west to the less turbid and more oceanic in the east. Seasonal rainfall affecting the outflow of the Pearl River, the largest river in southern China, results in the intrusion of brackish waters into areas which for much of the year experience clear oceanic waters. Animals favouring brackish waters include the Indo-Pacific Hump-backed dolphin (known locally as the Chinese white dolphin), one of 15 species of cetaceans that make up the only aquatic mammals found in the territory. Typical of the eastern waters is the red pargo, one of a number of sea bream whose fry are abundant along the shores of Mirs Bay and are captured in the early spring months to provide a mainstay for mariculture.

The natural history of many common shore animals, particularly the more sedentary molluscs and crustacea of rocky shores and mangroves has been studied, but broad gaps remain in the knowledge of local marine fauna. An expansion of marine recreation, including boating, sport fishing and scuba diving, coupled with an increased concern for the visible effects of pollution and dredging and dumping in local waters, has focused attention on this only in recent years. Even the less-common commercial fish and the corals that reach the northernmost extent of their range in Hong Kong remain poorly documented, not to mention the myriad less familiar worms, urchins, starfish, pens and the more microscopic planktonic forms.

The habitats of Hong Kong's coastal areas have changed in the past decade, paralleling the more visible changes above high water. Inevitable detrimental changes in the fauna are largely unrecorded but those which have been identified are being countered with the protection of sensitive aquatic communities through the extension of the country park systems to the marine environment.

Shark sightings have been recorded in local waters and since 1991 shark attacks near Clear Water Bay have caused several deaths. Shark nets have been erected at popular bathing beaches and more will be installed at bathing sites considered to be at risk from shark attacks.

Four species of whales and 11 species of dolphins have been recorded in Hong Kong waters and strandings occur quite frequently. The black finless porpoise and the Indo-Pacific Hump-backed dolphin are the most common in terms of observa- tion. In 1995, 16 strandings were reported.

Legislation and Countryside Conservation

The Agriculture and Fisheries Department is the principal government agency responsible for the conservation and management of Hong Kong's countryside, which is protected by various pieces of legislation. The Forests and Countryside Ordinance provides for the general protection of vegetation, and gives special protection to certain plants, including native camellias, magnolias, orchids, azaleas and the Chinese New Year flower.

The Wild Animals Protection Ordinance prohibits the hunting of wild animals or the possession, sale or export of protected wild animals. It also restricts the entry of