23 Oct
2006 - Hong Kong, China – WWF is concerned that
a proposed gas terminal off Hong Kong’s coastline
could threaten important marine habitats in the
territory’s southwestern waters.
Hong Kong-based electric company
China Light and Power (CLP) has expressed a strong
preference in building a liquefied natural gas
terminal on South Soko Island ahead of a government
environmental impact assessment.
“While we support the move towards
greener fuels like natural gas for power generation,
we can not accept the inevitable impact that will
be caused by the proposed construction and operation
of the terminal to the environment in and around
Soko, especially when other options are available,”
said WWF-Hong Kong CEO Eric Bohm.
According to WWF, the proposed
gas pipeline associated with the Soko option will
cut through prime marine habitat near the Sha
Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park and another
marine park proposed for Southwest Lantau.
Not only are the waters surrounding
the Sokos Islands an important fishing ground,
but are the only place where the locally protected
Chinese white dolphin (Sousa chinensis chinensis)
and finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides)
occur together.
Over the past 12 years, more
than ten development projects have reclaimed or
disturbed over 1,700ha of dolphin habitat.
“Reclamation has not just caused
a direct loss of these mammals’ habitat, but it
also removes habitat for the fish on which the
dolphins feed,” said Dr Alan Leung, Senior Conservation
Officer at WWF-Hong Kong.
Water pollution, sea traffic,
poaching and coastal development are also threatening
the long-term survival of these species in Hong
Kong.
“By revealing their preference
of where to build the gas terminal, CPL is deliberately
biasing the public debate on this important infrastructure
project in an environmentally sensitive area which
could have ramifications for decades to come,”
added Bohm.
“CPL and the Hong Kong government
have an obligation to find an alternative site
and to not destroy the Sokos.”
Margaret Chan, Communications
Manager
WWF-Hong Kong
