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A number of measures are in place to help local fishermen cope with the fishing moratorium in the South China Sea this year.
The Mainland authorities announced earlier that the fishing moratorium for this year would last from May 16 to August 1. All fishing operations except mono-layer gill-netting and lining in the South China Sea will be suspended during the period.
A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (May 15) that it was estimated that about 1,200 local fishing vessels would be affected by the moratorium. The Government, after consulting the Fish Marketing Advisory Board, will be providing the following arrangements through the Fish Marketing Organisation Loan Fund, with a view to helping the affected fishermen tide over the fishing moratorium:
* All types of fishing vessels covered by the moratorium are eligible to apply for a fishing moratorium loan this year; and
* The maximum amount of the special loans is as follows: $150,000 for vessels not less than 1,000 horsepower; $120,000 for vessels not less than 500 horsepower; and $80,000 for vessels under 500 horsepower.
The spokesman said that as the fishing moratorium is an annual event, the AFCD has reminded fishermen from time to time that they should take its implications into account when planning their operations every year.
"To encourage fishermen to make good use of the time available during the fishing moratorium, the AFCD has arranged free training courses for them to enhance their knowledge and skills regarding fisheries operations and development, as well as switching to related industries. Participants who meet the attendance requirement will be given a training allowance and certificate. Four training courses will be held from mid-May to July on contemporary fisheries issues, introduction to aquaculture, introduction to fisheries ecotourism and a fisheries training course on the Mainland," the spokesman said.
The Mainland authorities implemented the first fishing moratorium in the South China Sea in 1999 with a view to conserving fisheries resources and promoting sustainable development of the fishing industry. The HKSAR Government arranges appropriate measures to help the fishermen to tide over the period each year.
Ends/Saturday, May 15, 2010
Issued at HKT 11:02
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