The Brothers (islands), Hong Kong

(Redirected from Tai Mo To) Two islands in Hong Kong

For the New Zealand islands of the same name see The Brothers (New Zealand)

Map showing the location of Tai Mo To in Hong Kong. Siu Mo To is the island on the east.

The Brothers or Mo To Chau (Chinese: 磨刀洲, or 大小磨刀洲) consist of two islands in Hong Kong, Siu Mo To (or East Brother, 小磨刀洲) and Tai Mo To (or West Brother, 大磨刀洲). The two islands have been leveled to avoid affecting aviation of the nearby Hong Kong International Airport. Administratively, they are under the jurisdiction of Tuen Mun District.

Geography

The group of islands lie in the north of Lantau Island, midway between Chek Lap Kok, where Hong Kong International Airport is located, and Tuen Mun. West Brother and East Brother are 550 m by 430 m and 800 m by 180 m respectively. Before being leveled, they had maximum elevations of 68 m and 63 m. Tsz Kan Chau (or Reef Island, 匙羮洲), a tiny island nearby, is often regarded as a member of the group.

History

Graphite was mined at West Brother Island between 1952 and 1971. By 1964, the mine workings had reached 90 m below sea level.

The two islands were leveled to avoid affecting aviation of the airport. The extracted material was used in the land reclamation of the airport platform. Environmentalists complained that it damaged the habitat of the Chinese white dolphins.

Features

A VOR/DME station is located on Siu Mo To.

Conservation

The Brothers Marine Park was designated as a marine park in December 2016. It encompasses the Brothers islands. The stated aim of the marine park is to help conserve the Chinese white dolphins, their habitats and enhance the marine and fisheries resources therein.

References

^ Plant, G.W.; Covil, C.S; Hughes, R.A.; Airport Authority Hong Kong (1998). Site Preparation for the New Hong Kong International Airport. Thomas Telford. pp. 26, 47–48. ISBN 978-0-7277-2696-4.
hku.hk Metallic Mineral Resources Archived 28 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine
Catalogue of Hong Kong Tunnels (December 2008) Archived 18 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
Legco Finance Committee document, 30 April 2004
"The Brothers Marine Park". Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

v t e Major islands of Hong Kong
By area	Lantau Island Hong Kong Island Lamma Island Chek Lap Kok Tsing Yi Kau Sai Chau Leung Shuen Wan Po Toi Islands Po Toi Waglan Cheung Chau Tung Lung Chau Crooked Island Double Island Hei Ling Chau Ap Lei Chau Soko Islands Tai A Chau Siu A Chau Ping Chau Peng Chau Ma Wan Ninepin Group Tap Mun The Brothers Green Island Centre Island, Hong Kong Kowloon Rock
Former islands	Kellett Island Stonecutters Island Hoi Sham Island Channel Rock Pillar Island Mong Chau Chau Tsai Nga Ying Chau Lam Chau Rumsey Rock High Island Yuen Chau Tsai

Tuen Mun District

Areas

Landmarks

Transport

MTR stations

Siu Hong Tuen Mun
Future	A16 Tuen Mun South

Light rail

Ferry terminals

Tuen Mun Ferry Pier

Education

Tertiary	Hong Kong Chu Hai College Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education Lingnan University Maritime Services Training Institute
Primary & secondary	CCC Tam Lee Lai Fun Memorial Secondary School Harrow International School Hong Kong PLK Tang Yuk Tien College STFA Leung Kau Kui College Tuen Mun Catholic Secondary School TWGH Yau Tze Tin Memorial College

This list is incomplete.

Conservation designations in Hong Kong

Country parks

Hong Kong Island	Aberdeen Lung Fu Shan Pok Fu Lam Shek O Tai Tam Tai Tam (Quarry Bay Ext.)
New Territories East	Clear Water Bay Kam Shan Kiu Tsui Lion Rock Ma On Shan Pat Sin Leng Plover Cove Plover Cove (Ext.) Robin's Nest Sai Kung East Sai Kung West Sai Kung West (Wan Tsai Ext.)
New Territories West	Lam Tsuen Lantau North Lantau North (Ext.) Lantau South Shing Mun Tai Lam Tai Mo Shan

Special Areas

Marine parks

See also: Site of Special Scientific Interest

22°19′52″N 113°58′01″E / 22.33111°N 113.96694°E / 22.33111; 113.96694

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