ENG-1997 — Page 480

THE ENVIRONMENT

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These measures include the deployment of artificial reefs and the designation of marine parks and marine reserves.

Shark sightings have been recorded in local waters and shark attacks near Clear Water Bay have caused several deaths since 1991. To protect swimmers, 21 shark exclusion nets have been erected at popular bathing beaches. These are deployed in such a way as to minimise the possibility of trapping marine lives and serve only to keep bathers and sharks apart.

During the year, the marine mammals of Hong Kong have attracted special attention. This was mainly because the resident species, Indo-Pacific Hump-backed dolphin, commonly known as Chinese White Dolphin, was chosen as the mascot for Hong Kong's transition. This species is commonly found in waters north of Lantau Island although in the summer time it may venture into waters south and east of Lantau Island. A study commissioned in April 1996 is under way to help develop an effective, long-term conservation strategy for this species in Hong Kong. The Finless Porpoise is another resident marine mammal species. In contrast to the Indo-Pacific Hump-backed dolphin, this species is frequently seen in southern and eastern waters of Hong Kong, and is seldom sighted in north Lantau waters where the Chinese White Dolphin is found.

Legislation and Nature Conservation

The Director of Agriculture and Fisheries is the Country and Marine Parks Authority responsible for the conservation of the terrestrial and marine ecological resources, as well as for the enforcement of legislation on conservation issues.

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 from Hong Kong. It also restricts unauthorised entry to important wildlife habitats, such as the Mai Po Marshes and the Yim Tso Ha Egretry.

The Country Parks Ordinance provides for the designation, control and management of the valuable countryside as country parks and special areas, and enables them to be developed for outdoor recreational, education and nature conservation purposes.

The Marine Parks Ordinance provides the necessary statutory powers for the designation and management of marine parks and marine reserves in Hong Kong.

Besides general conservation of the countryside, Hong Kong has been actively identifying and conserving sites of special scientific interest, such as sites which are natural habitats of rare species of vegetation or insect. In all, 59 sites have been identified.

The Fisheries Protection Ordinance provides for the conservation of fish and other aquatic life within the waters of Hong Kong. It also provides for the regulation of fishing practices and the prevention of detrimental activities such as using or possessing explosive or toxic substances for the purpose of fishing. Action is in progress to amend the Fisheries Protection Ordinance with a view to increasing the maximum fine for such offences and providing for the prohibition or restriction of

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