The draft map of the Proposed Southwest Lantau Marine Park is available for public inspection for 60 days from today (June 23).
 
     A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said, the draft map was prepared by the Country and Marine Parks Authority in accordance with the Marine Parks Ordinance (Cap. 476). It covers two sea areas at Southwest Lantau of a total of about 650 hectares.
 
     The spokesman said, "The waters around Southwest Lantau are an important Chinese white dolphin (CWD) habitat. In order to enhance the CWD conservation programme implemented by the AFCD, it is proposed to designate a new marine park there for the conservation of the CWD and enhancement of marine resources. It would be conducive to the conservation of the CWD in the long run."
 
     Upon the designation of the Southwest Lantau Marine Park, activities inside the park will be regulated by the Marine Parks Ordinance and the Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation (Cap. 476A). Management measures including restrictions on vessel speed, control of fishing activities and regulation of recreational activities inside the marine park can help enhance fisheries resources and provide an improved habitat for marine lives.
 
     Copies of the draft map are ready for public inspection free of charge for 60 days at the designated offices during office hours as listed in the gazette notice. Details are available on the department's website: www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_mar/cou_vis_mar_wha/mp_swl_draftmap.html.
 
     "Any person aggrieved by the draft map may submit a written statement of objection, stating the nature of and the reasons for the objection, and proposed alteration to the draft map, if any, to the Country and Marine Parks Authority at the AFCD, 5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, within 60 days from the date of gazettal," the spokesman said.
 
     Copies of the draft map are also available for sale to the public at $45 each at the AFCD headquarters, 5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.

Ends/Friday, June 23, 2017
Issued at HKT 8:51

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