The Agriculture and Fisheries Department has urged people not to set sail to try to see the whale and to avoid the humpback whale that is still in Hong Kong waters. Government Whale watching advisory notice.
Photo:EPA
There is an implication in this notice that people can be prosecuted under the “Wild Animal Protection Ordinance” and subject to a fine and imprisonment. We are happy that the Hong Kong government is taking a strong stance to protect this internationally protected species.
This is a stark contrast to the position regarding other marine species.
Living Seas Hong Kong has written to the SCMP on Wednesday 18th March, regarding this issue. Our letter was as follows:
“What an amazing occurrence, a humpback whale swimming freely in the Lamma Channel, in Hong Kong waters.. A beautiful animal, a harmless filter feeder that sifts seawater to feed on very small marine life, an internationally loved species. All whales are protected internationally and cetaceans are fully protected in Hong Kong waters and rightfully so.
I am struck by the contrast to last year and the whale shark that died in Hong Kong waters early last June.Â
That whale shark in question was a 5 metre youngster, also a harmless filter feeder and also swimming in the Lamma Channel but he didn’t survive to do what come naturally, a migration to feeding grounds or to breed. He died after a struggle in a fishermen’s net that lasted hours. Unfortunately in Hong Kong these wonderful animals are not protected and nothing could be done if this tragic event were to re-occur. Most of our neighbouring countries have enacted a full ban on the fishing of whale sharks and these fish are revered, whale sharks are also protected under various international treaties to which Hong Kong and China are signatories, however there is no protection for wonderful marine animals such as whale sharks in Hong Kong waters.
We sometimes appear to have exotic and wonderful marine animals coming into our waters, they are visitors and should be allowed to continue their journey freely. Asia’s World City owes the marine life and our neighbours nothing less.”