Acoustic monitors for dolphin survey in Hong Kong western waters

16 May 2022 / Hong Kong

For approximately 24 months, acoustic monitors will be temporarily established on the seabed in the following locations (WGS 84 Datum):
(A) 22° 21.315’N 113° 53.637’E
(B) 22° 20.650’N 113° 55.465’E
(C) 22° 20.159’N 113° 57.832’E
(D) 22° 19.728’N 113° 52.174’E
(E) 22° 18.604’N 113° 51.864’E
(F) 22° 17.631’N 113° 52.748’E

The acoustic monitor is an instrument for collecting dolphin data. It will be fixed to a cubic metal frame of 0.5 metre by 0.5 metre by 0.5 metre on the seabed. The total height of the acoustic monitor and the metal frame above the seabed will be about 1.5 metres. Laying of the acoustic monitors will be carried out by a survey boat and a working area of approximately 20 metres around the survey boat will be established. One guard boat will provide assistance.

The hours of work will be from 0900 to 1800 hours from Monday to Sunday including public holidays. The vessels employed for the operations will not stay in the works locations outside the hours of work.

Diving operations for retrieving data from the acoustic monitors will be carried out by the survey boat in the above locations from time to time.

Vessels engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations.

Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution and keep clear of the works locations at slow speed, bearing in mind there are divers working in the locations, and the water depths above these acoustic monitors are reduced.

(For information about operations in Hong Kong, contact GAC Hong Kong at [email protected])

Source: Government of the Hong Kong Marine Department Notice No.96/2022

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