Report of the Second Workshop on The Biology and Conservation of ...

By-catchesFishery by-catch seems to be a significant cause <strong>of</strong>death for local dolphins and porpoises (Jefferson2000; Torey 2000; Jefferson et al. 2002b). Resultsfrom necropsies suggested that a total <strong>of</strong> 11finless porpoises and 5 humpback dolphins werecaught or possibly caught incidentally from 1996to early 2002. There are also indications that<strong>the</strong> incidence <strong>of</strong> net entanglement for finlessporpoises may have increased in recent years(Jefferson et al. 2002b). These animals have beenfound with net markings around <strong>the</strong>ir flukes andflippers, apparently caused by entanglement ingill nets and trawl nets. As some humpbackdolphins tend to feed behind fishing boats, <strong>the</strong>ymay occasionally become entangled in fishingnets. Although finless porpoises have not beenobserved feeding behind fishing boats in HongKong water, fishermen reported that <strong>the</strong>y doassociate with fishing boats in <strong>of</strong>fshore waters.Monitoring by-catch by trawl boats is feasible since70% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> overall catch is landed in Hong Kongports (making placement <strong>of</strong> observers logisticallypossible) and <strong>the</strong> vessels are large enough toaccommodate observers. Monitoring gillnetby-catch, however, may be more difficult sinceboats land <strong>the</strong>ir catches in many areas. Gillnetboats are small and it is not feasible to putobservers onboard. Two suggestions were madeby <strong>Workshop</strong> participants for monitoring bycatchin gillnets: a) <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> patrol boats andb) monitoring from shore, similar to <strong>the</strong> methodused in California.Legal status and present managementarrangementsSeveral laws and ordinances <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hong Konggovernment protect local cetaceans. The “WildAnimals Protection Ordinance” provides fullprotection to all dolphins, porpoises and whalesin Hong Kong, and no person is allowed tohunt or willfully disturb <strong>the</strong>m. The “Animalsand Plant (Protection <strong>of</strong> Endangered Species)Ordinance” strictly regulates <strong>the</strong> import, exportand possession <strong>of</strong> cetaceans.The Hong Kong government also implementsa marine park system under <strong>the</strong> “Marine ParksOrdinance”. One such marine park, called<strong>the</strong> “Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau MarinePark” (also known informally as “<strong>the</strong> dolphinsanctuary”), was established in 1996 under <strong>the</strong>ordinance, specifically to protect local humpbackdolphins. The marine park covers a sea area <strong>of</strong> 1,200hectares, including some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> important habitat<strong>of</strong> humpback dolphins in Hong Kong. Within <strong>the</strong>protected area, boat speed is limited to less than10 knots. Bottom trawling is not allowed within<strong>the</strong> marine park, while o<strong>the</strong>r fishing activities arestrictly regulated in order to provide a suitablehabitat for <strong>the</strong> dolphins. Ano<strong>the</strong>r marine park isscheduled to be established in 2002, which willinclude important habitat for both humpbackdolphins and finless porpoises south <strong>of</strong> LantauIsland.It was recommended during <strong>the</strong> discussion thatpark regulations should be better enforced toprotect cetaceans, although <strong>the</strong> difficulty <strong>of</strong>enforcing regulations with respect to fishermenfrom mainland China was acknowledged. Inaddition, it was suggested that developmentson <strong>the</strong> coast <strong>of</strong> mainland China that have <strong>the</strong>potential to affect <strong>the</strong> marine parks and cetaceansbe plotted and <strong>the</strong> likely impacts assessed.The “Environmental Impact AssessmentOrdinance” provides fur<strong>the</strong>r protection forlocal cetaceans and <strong>the</strong>ir habitats. All coastaldevelopment projects are required to identify <strong>the</strong>potential impacts, and to recommend mitigationmeasures to minimize such impacts on marinelife, including dolphins and porpoises.<strong>Second</strong> <strong>Workshop</strong> on <strong>the</strong> Biology and Conservation <strong>of</strong> Small Cetaceans and Dugongs <strong>of</strong> SE Asia 29