New marine parks best way to protect precious dolphins

Chek Lap Kok is one of the world's best and busiest airports and some have predicted that the two runways could reach capacity in about next five years.

This is why there have been calls for a third runway, but it has triggered a heated debate with many differing views being expressed.

Part of this debate has focused on the habitat of the Chinese white dolphins off Lantau.

This habitat would be ruined by the construction of this third runway and they would be forced to leave. It has therefore been suggested that new marine parks [at southwest Lantau and the Soko Islands] should be created to offer them some protection. If the government decides to go ahead with the third runway I think there will be a need to create the marine parks. We cannot underestimate the importance of the dolphins.

Many tourists go on cruises to the waters near Lantau to see them as they are so appealing. However, they are an endangered species and the problems they face will be exacerbated by the runway project. To build it will require reclamation and that will cause severe pollution to the dolphins' habitat.

Over the last few years, Hong Kong citizens have become much more aware of the need to protect the environment and I think most people would say that if the government is determined to go ahead with the third runway, it must introduce measures to protect the dolphins.

I think the best solution is to create these marine parks.