Airport Authority criticised over relaxing speed limit rules intended to protect Chinese white dolphin
Conservation group accuses authority of ‘moving the goalposts’
The Airport Authority has been accused of “moving the goalposts” after allowing captains of high-speed ferries to and from its SkyPier to break the speed limit in sensitive waters used by the Chinese white dolphin for “navigational safety”.
A conservationist slammed the move and called for the authority’s environmental permit to be revoked. The strict 15-knot limit was imposed specifically for the area, due to the area’s importance to the mammal, under the conditions of its permit for its third runway project.
An internal letter seen by the South China Morning Post issued by the Hong Kong Seamens Union on February 3 notified its members that they had strongly opposed the limit from the outset and following a recent meeting the authority told them that they could travel as fast as 19 knots under certain circumstances.
“A representative for the authority stated that a captain can increase speed to 19 knots for reasons of safety, without receiving a warning,” the union said. “Of course they hope that in normal circumstances we can maintain speeds below 15 knots. But if caught speeding, and it is not a regular occurrence, they will not carry out any sort of action.”
A spokesman for the authority did not address the letter but acknowledged it had heard concerns from the industry and would continue to work with relevant parties on research.