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Following is a question by the Hon Kenneth Leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, in the Legislative Council today (January 30):
Question:
Some green groups have pointed out that the catch of the fisheries sector in Hong Kong has been decreasing since the 1990s and up to 2009, it has already decreased by almost 50%. The Government should therefore expeditiously implement measures to promote the sustainable development of the fisheries industry and enhance its management. Apart from that, the Government should also ban fishing in the four marine parks and one marine reserve in Hong Kong. On the other hand, some members of the fisheries sector have indicated that the techniques currently used by the mariculture industry in Hong Kong are still very backward and devoid of diversified development, and the marine ecotourism industry has yet to be developed. They are of the view that the Government should assist the development of the industries which are related to the fisheries industry, so as to help the fishermen to switch to other types of operation. Regarding the regulation of the fisheries industry and the development of relevant industries, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) given that the Fisheries Protection (Amendment) Ordinance 2012 (the Ordinance) has come into operation on June 15, 2012, how the Government will implement the management measures for the sustainable development of the fisheries industry under the Ordinance, including the implementation timetable for designating certain areas in Hong Kong waters as Fisheries Protection Area (FPAs) as well as the details concerned;
(b) given that members of some green groups have pointed out that the quality of the waters in Port Shelter and Tolo Channel is comparatively good and such waters are also fish spawning and nursing grounds, whether the Government has plans to designate them as FPAs, so as to ban the capture of fish in such waters; if it has, of the details; if it has not, the reasons for that;
(c) whether the Government will make reference to the practices in overseas countries and the Mainland and introduce fishing moratorium; if it will, of the time for implementing such a measure; if it will not, the reasons for that;
(d) whether the Government plans to provide more education for fishermen on the use of methods conducive to sustainable development to capture fish and step up efforts to combat illegal means adopted by fishermen (such as the use of poisonous substances, explosives or electricity) to catch fish; if it does, of the details; if it does not, the reasons for that; and how the Government will step up efforts to combat illegal fishing activities carried out by Mainland fishing vessels in Hong Kong waters;
(e) whether the Government will adopt the marine conservation policies of overseas countries such as imposing bans on capturing marine species which are too small in size and carrying out ocean ranching (i.e. keeping fry in enclosed hatchery before releasing them back into the ocean, and capturing them after they have grown into fish); if it will, when such policies will be implemented; if it will not, the reasons for that;
(f) given that the Government has advised in its paper on the environmental protection policy initiatives of 2013 to this Council that "[i]n 2013, in consultation with stakeholders, we will take forward the proposal to ban commercial fishing in marine parks", of the timetable for carrying out the consultation and the legislative work as well as the details concerned;
(g) whether the Government will provide more technological support to the mariculture industry and help the fishermen engaged in this industry to maintain their livelihood; if it will, of the details concerned; if it will not, the reasons for that;
(h) given that some members of the industry have pointed out that the quality of water in the eastern part of Hong Kong waters is excellent and suitable for breeding shellfish and other marine produce, whether the Government will consider assisting the mariculture industry to breed shellfish and other marine produce there, so as to promote diversified development in the mariculture industry; and
(i) how the Government will enhance support for the development of marine ecotourism industry, so as to assist the fishermen to switch to other types of operation?
Reply:
President,
To help restore the fisheries resources in Hong Kong waters and promote the sustainable development of the fisheries industry, we have been pursuing various fisheries management measures as recommended by the Committee on Sustainable Fisheries in its report submitted to the Government in April 2010.
The subsidiary legislation to ban trawling activities in Hong Kong waters was passed by the Legislative Council (LegCo) on May 18, 2011 and came into operation on December 31, 2012. The Fisheries Protection (Amendment) Bill 2011 was passed by LegCo on May 9, 2012 and gazetted on June 15, 2012. The amended Ordinance clears the way for us to introduce a series of fisheries management measures to control the fishing effort in Hong Kong waters and protect important spawning and nursery grounds. We have reviewed the mechanism and terms of the Fisheries Development Loan Fund, with a view to better meeting the requirements of the fisheries sector. We have also reviewed the moratorium on issue of new licences for mariculture operations in fish culture zones with surplus carrying capacity, and are laying the ground work for rolling out a pilot scheme within 2013. We conduct adaptive development studies to enhance productivity and sustainability of the local aquaculture industry.
In collaboration with relevant stakeholders, we have launched a pilot scheme to help fishermen venture into ecotourism. To assist fishermen to upgrade their knowledge and skills, we have been arranging various training courses, workshops and seminars for fishermen. The Chief Executive announced in his 2013 Policy Address the setting up of a Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund of $500 million to provide for financial assistance for projects and researches conducive to the sustainable development of the fisheries industry.
My reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:
(a) and (b) The Fisheries Protection (Amendment) Ordinance 2012 seeks to:
(i) introduce a registration system for local fishing vessels, with a view to limiting the entry of new fishing vessels and maintaining an appropriate level of fishing effort in Hong Kong waters;
(ii) restrict fishing activities with the use or aid of non-fishing vessels, and prohibit fishing activities with the use or aid of non-local fishing vessels, with a view to further controlling the fishing effort in Hong Kong waters; and
(iii) designate certain areas in Hong Kong waters as Fisheries Protection Areas (FPAs) to protect important spawning and nursery grounds, thereby helping to restore local fisheries resources, and promote their sustainable growth in the long run.
On the registration of local fishing vessels, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has conducted briefing sessions for fishermen in major home ports, including Aberdeen, Shau Kei Wan, Tai Po, Tuen Mun, Sai Kung and Cheung Chau, from April to June 2012. In addition to receiving applications at its Headquarters, AFCD has also set up temporary outstations at various home ports to facilitate fishermen to submit their applications there. As at January 23, 2013, about 2 700 applications for registration have been received.
Under the Fisheries Protection (Amendment) Ordinance 2012, the Secretary for Food and Health is empowered to designate Fisheries Protection Areas (FPAs), with a view to protecting fish fry, juvenile and spawning fish in important spawning and nursery grounds.
We have taken note of the suggestion to designate waters in Port Shelter and Tolo Channel as FPAs. We plan to consult the trade in 2014 on the designation of FPAs, including the management measures that are to be implemented within the FPAs. Measures that are under consideration include restricting or prohibiting the use of specified methods and gear; restricting the capture of species of certain size; designation of "no-take" zone in FPAs; and implementation of "closed season" to protect spawning fish and fry from fishing during certain periods of a year.
(c) The statutory ban on trawling activities in the waters of Hong Kong has come into operation since December 31, 2012. This is complemented by other fisheries management measures in the Fisheries Protection (Amendment) Ordinance 2012, which has come into operation since June 15, 2012. We believe that these will help curb further depletion of the marine resources in Hong Kong and enable the marine ecosystem to rehabilitate at a faster rate than would otherwise be possible.
A simulation study conducted by an overseas university has portrayed that fisheries resources and the catch value per unit of fishing effort in Hong Kong waters will rise following implementation of the above measures.
We will closely monitor the effectiveness of the fisheries management measures and consider the need for further measures as and when appropriate.
(d) AFCD has been providing training courses for fishermen for many years. Since 2010, AFCD has implemented a tailor-made fishermen training programme to assist fishermen to switch to sustainable fisheries and related operations. The programme includes lectures and practical sessions on recreational fishing and aquaculture, as well as demonstration of non-destructive fishing operations (such as purse seining) with a view to suiting the needs of the fishermen. Over 920 fishermen have joined the various training courses and tour programmes since 2010 and the relevant training courses are rated highly by the participants. For mariculturists at fish culture zones, AFCD has also organised workshops and seminars to introduce and promote fish hatchery and nursery techniques, and provide them with advice and technical support, with a view to encouraging them to make use of such techniques. AFCD will continue to work closely with the trade to provide training for fishermen and mariculturists.
The Fisheries Protection (Amendment) Ordinance 2012 provides for the prohibition of fishing activities by non-local fishing vessels. Since June 15, 2012, any person who contravenes any provision of the Ordinance commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for six months. AFCD has been working closely with relevant departments to enforce the Ordinance, including conducting joint enforcement operations from time to time to deter irregularities. AFCD plans to strengthen patrol through deploying appropriate resources to ensure effective enforcement of the law.
(e) A consultancy study on Fisheries Resources and Fishing Operations in Hong Kong Waters conducted in 1998 recommended, among other things, restocking to enhance local fisheries resources. Restocking involves the release of fish fry or juveniles of other marine animals into the wild to enhance fisheries resources.
To follow up the recommendation, AFCD has conducted several trials to collect the necessary information for assessing the feasibility of restocking in Hong Kong. Under the trials, AFCD has released some 57 000 fish fry (including Green Groupers, Russell's Snappers, Star Snappers and High-finned Groupers) and 1 000 000 shrimp seedlings. Experience from the above trials showed that restocking may help enhance fisheries resources. However, its effectiveness would be more pronounced if it is complemented by other fisheries management measures (e.g. FPAs). AFCD plans to conduct larger scale restocking trials to further enhance local fisheries resources.
(f) According to the Environment Bureau (ENB), in its previous consultation on the proposal to ban commercial fishing in marine parks, LegCo members and fishermen groups were generally of the view that the Government should continue to liaise with the fishermen groups with a view to reducing the impact on fishermen's livelihood before taking forward the proposal. In this connection, AFCD has been working with the fishermen concerned and running specialised training for fishermen and pilot schemes to look into the possibility of assisting fishermen to develop or switch to fisheries-related eco-tourism businesses. In 2012, ENB conducted another round of consultation with the majority of the fishing permit holders in marine parks. In 2013, ENB would consolidate the discussions with fishermen and further consult stakeholders, including the LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs, on how to take forward the proposal to ban commercial fishing in marine parks, with a view to improving ecosystems in marine parks and offering better protection for marine organisms.
(g) AFCD conducts adaptive development studies to improve productivity and enhance the sustainability of the local aquaculture industry. To provide a greater variety of species for culture and to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong fish farmers, continuous efforts are being made to identify suitable new species with good market potential. AFCD has introduced Red Drum and Giant Grouper to the local mariculture industry in recent years.
To improve husbandry techniques and enhance the food safety of local aquaculture produce, AFCD has launched the Accredited Fish Farm Scheme (AFFS), under which some 70 marine fish farms are currently accredited. Accredited farms must follow a set of "Good Aquaculture Practices" which includes aspects on food safety, general hygiene and environmental sustainability. Accredited fish farms can use the AFFS logo and market their products via the AFFS marketing channels. AFCD also provides support to fish farmers on technical and farm management issues including fish nutrition, water quality monitoring, red tide alerts and fish disease prevention. AFCD will continue to provide appropriate support needed by the industry.
(h) There has been a general moratorium since 1990 on the issue of new marine fish culture licences, raft area extensions in existing fish culture zones (FCZs) and the designation of new FCZs because of environmental considerations. Having reviewed the moratorium in 2012, we are laying the ground work for launching a trial scheme within 2013, with a view to issuing limited new marine fish culture licences in FCZs with surplus carrying capacity. We will also explore the feasibility of developing culture methods for shellfish and other seafood in fish culture zones.
(i) In 2010, AFCD launched, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, a pilot scheme in Sai Kung and north-eastern New Territories to help fishermen venture into ecotourism. The scheme provides marine-based guided tours which cover the culture and practices of fisherman communities as well as the ecological and geological features of Hong Kong. Over 300 fishermen have received training under the pilot scheme. Drawing on the positive response to the pilot scheme, AFCD has extended the scheme to Lamma Island in 2011-12 and to the western waters in 2012-13.
As advised by the Tourism Commission, marine ecotourism is not one of the popular activities for tourists visiting Hong Kong. Nevertheless, the Hong Kong Tourism Board will continue to promote the coastal beauty of Hong Kong to tourists, such as the Pui O Beach and Cheung Sha Beach on South Lantau, Repulse Bay and Shek O on Hong Kong Islands, etc.
Ends/Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:08
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