LCQ1: Massive fish kills incidents
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     Following is a question by the Hon Steven Ho and a reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, in the Legislative Council today (February 3):

Question:

     At the end of December last year, massive fish kills occurred in Yim Tin Tsai fish culture zone (FCZ) near Sam Mun Tsai in Tai Po. Earlier this year, similar incidents also occurred successively in Sham Wan, Lo Fu Wat, Yung Shue Au and Yim Tin Tsai East FCZs. Some fish farmers have relayed to me that massive fish kills have not only caused heavy losses to them and dealt a blow to the development of the mariculture industry, but also affected the local ecological environment. Those fish farmers have pointed out that while the authorities considered that red tides were the possible cause of the fish kills, the authorities did not give warnings to the fish farmers beforehand, rendering them unable to tow their rafts away from the waters concerned in time. Those fish farmers have also pointed out that under the Emergency Relief Fund, the maximum amount of grants offered to those affected fish farmers who have not taken out relevant insurance policies is only $6,700 at present, which is insufficient to assist the fish farmers in resuming their business. Regarding the assistance provided for fish farmers affected by natural disasters, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) how the authorities will strengthen the work of monitoring the water quality of FCZs, and improve the mechanism for forecasting and monitoring red tides, so as to avoid recurrence of fish kills;

(2) whether the authorities have assessed the effectiveness of the measures taken by the government departments concerned for handling the aftermath of the fish kills, including measures to render immediate support to fish farmers and help them clear up the fish carcasses, etc.; if they have assessed, of the outcome; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) whether the authorities will formulate an all-round "natural disaster protection mechanism" for fish farmers which may include: setting up a business resumption fund the grant level of which is higher than that of the Emergency Relief Fund, forming a standing inter-departmental response team to handle fish kills, and drawing up contingency plans and specific guidelines for the prevention and handling of natural disasters; if they will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. Even with present-day technology, there is no measure to prevent the occurrence or spread of red tides. As such, stepping up surveillance for early detection of red tides and timely issue of warnings remain the most practicable management method. In 1999, the Government established the red tide/harmful algal bloom (HAB) management framework and implemented various action plans to enhance the management of red tides/HABs. This inter-departmental mechanism aims at co-ordinating the work of various departments in monitoring and responding to red tides/HABs and the associated fish death incidents. Under the phytoplankton monitoring programme, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has over the years been collecting samples in different areas of Hong Kong waters on a weekly basis to analyse the planktonic algae in water. More than 3 000 marine water samples are tested each year. Moreover, AFCD have put in place 24-hour real-time monitoring of water quality in the waters of six fish culture zones (FCZs). Should any abnormal increase in the quantity of phytoplankton or any irregularities in the water quality be detected, AFCD will collect more samples for testing and issue timely warnings to mariculturists.

     When red tides and massive death of cultured fish are observed in FCZs, AFCD will co-ordinate contingency measures with the departments concerned (including the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the Marine Department (MD) and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)). The measures include, where necessary, helping mariculturists to temporarily move their rafts away from the FCZs affected by red tides, clearing the dead fish, providing financial assistance to affected mariculturists, etc. to minimise the impact of red tides on the industry.

     My reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:

(1) In its routine surveillance, AFCD noticed an increase in the quantity of Karenia mikimotoi in the water body of Yim Tin Tsai FCZ. On December 14 and 22, 2015, AFCD had accordingly sent SMS messages to mariculturists in the FCZs at Yim Tin Tsai, Lo Fu Wat, Yung Shue Au and Yim Tin Tsai (East) alerting them of the presence of algae which might be harmful to fish in nearby waters. According to some international literature, Karenia mikimotoi may produce toxins irritating the gill tissues of fish and affecting their breathing system.

     Upon receiving the first report on massive death of cultured fish in Yim Tin Tsai FCZ on December 23 last year, AFCD immediately liaised with EPD to step up monitoring of the water quality in that FCZ and the waters nearby and collect water samples for testing. AFCD has since been keeping a close watch on the situation of the mariculturists in the FCZ. Based on the information available, AFCD believes that the red tides observed in the waters of Tolo Harbour and Long Harbour and the algal species involved are very likely to be the main factor causing the death of cultured fish in several FCZs. While enhancing the surveillance of the water quality and the presence of planktonic algae, AFCD has at the same time extended the daily surveillance and collection of samples to cover all 26 FCZs in the territory since January 5 this year.
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     In the past few weeks, red tides formed mainly by Karenia mikimotoi have persisted in the waters of Tolo Harbour to Long Harbour. Meanwhile, reports on the death of cultured fish have been received by AFCD from the nearby FCZs including those at Sham Wan, Lo Fu Wat, Yung Shue Au, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Kau Lau Wan, Tap Mun, O Pui Tong and Wong Wan. AFCD sent SMS messages to mariculturists in the FCZs at Tap Mun and Kau Lau Wan on January 5, 15 and 17 this year respectively, alerting them of the formation of red tides which might affect the areas concerned and advising those not yet affected to consider harvesting their stock early to minimise risks. Apart from giving the above notifications, AFCD also sent SMS messages to mariculturists in other FCZs on a number of occasions to inform them of the development of red tides and remind them to take preventive measures.

(2) Upon receiving the first report on massive death of cultured fish in Yim Tin Tsai FCZ on December 23 last year, AFCD immediately liaised with MD and FEHD to help the mariculturists in the FCZ to clear the dead fish on the same day. Thereafter it also helped those in other FCZs affected in clearing the dead fish. A total of approximately 36 tonnes of dead fish have since been disposed of through the co-ordination of the relevant government departments.

     In addition, the Government is providing the mariculturists concerned with grants from the Emergency Relief Fund for immediate economic relief. So far, around 220 mariculturists have registered and payments have been made to about 120 of them.

(3) Grants from the Emergency Relief Fund are used to provide prompt assistance for persons who are in need of relief as a result of fire, flooding, tempest, typhoon or other natural disasters. The grants are intended for relief and are not meant for compensation.

      Furthermore, if the mariculturists are in need of capital to re-establish their business, they may apply to AFCD for low-interest loans from the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Loan Fund. The fund is intended to provide grants to individual farmers, pond fish farmers and mariculturists for development and general operating purposes, including the purchase of fry and feed and improvement to farm facilities.

     The relevant government departments will continue to closely monitor the development of the red tides and endeavour to provide suitable assistance to affected mariculturists. After the current red tide incident is over, the Government will review whether similar incidents could be better handled in future with a view to minimising the impact of red tides on the industry.

     Thank you, President.

Ends/Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:56

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