Advisory panel wants short-term fix after ‘valuable lesson’ learned in whale tragedy

Environmental advisers on Monday called on the SAR government to implement some short-term solutions and feasible measures for handling different species that may enter Hong Kong waters, following the death of a young Bryde's whale in the waters near Port Shelter in Sai Kung.

The Advisory Council on the Environment said in a statement today that it is saddened by the tragedy and is aware that the city’s environment chief and relevant departments have spoken and issued press releases on the subject matter. 

The panel said it is in full support of the four tasks announced by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology aiming to prevent the recurrence of similar events in the future, which included strengthening public education, formulating a set of protocols to handle similar situations, learning from the experience of other places and reviewing and modifying the law.

“While understanding that law amendments will take time, the Advisory Council on the Environment hopes that the relevant departments will endeavor to implement some short-term solutions and feasible measures for handling different species that may enter the Hong Kong waters.” The statement wrote.

Meanwhile, the panel noted that some citizens were excited about the sighting of the Bryde's whale and might have sailed the sea to watch the whale out of curiosity, posing pressure and threats to the young Bryde's whale.

It said the unfortunate incident has taught people a valuable lesson with which the general public would resonate, that is, understanding human beings should abide by the laws of nature.

It added that people should strengthen their understanding and conservation of nature and learn to be members who respect and live harmoniously with nature.