WORK OF THE FISHERIES BRANCH

The Fisheries Branch provides infrastructural support services to promote efficient and sustainable production of the local capture fishery and aquaculture industry. The scope of their services includes:

Capture fisheries
In 2003, the capture fishing industry comprised of some 4,630 fishing vessels and about 10,130 fishermen, representing 0.31 per cent of the Territory's total work force. In 2004, the number of fishing vessels decreased to some 4,330 whereas the number of fishermen slightly decreased to 9,770, representing about 0.27 per cent of the Hong Kong's total workforce. The main fishing methods are trawling, long-lining, hand-lining, gill-netting and purse-seining with about 84 and 85 per cent of the total catch obtained through trawling in 2003 and 2004 respectively . The number of fishing vessels by type is shown in Appendix 4. In 2003 and 2004, the industry produced an estimated 157,440 and 167,540 tonnes of fish products respectively, of which a bout 62,960 and 60,000 tonnes were consumed in Hong Kong.

Mariculture
Marine fish culture involves rearing marine fish in cages suspended by floating rafts in sheltered coastal areas. There are 26 fish culture zones (A location map is shown in Appendix 5) occupying a sea area of 209 hectares with 1,118 licensed operators. Most licensed operations are small and family-based, with farm size averaging about 260 square metres. Estimated production in 2003 and 2004 were 1,490 and 1,540 tonnes respectively, or about 9.5 and 9.1 per cent of locally consumed live marine fish.

Pond fish culture
Most inland ponds are located in northwest New Territories. These ponds, covering some 1,030 hectares, produced 2,110 and 1,980 tonnes of freshwater fish in 2003 and 2004 respectively. Most ponds practise a polyculture of carps mixed with tilapia or grey mullet. Some coastal ponds are converted to culture brackish species such as scat, sea bream, pampano and giant grouper to reap better profits.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF CAPTURE FISHERIES

The Department has implemented the following measures to promote sustainable development of the fishing industry:

Combating Destructive Fishing Practices
Hong Kong waters are patrolled regularly to deter destructive fishing practices prohibited under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance, Cap. 171. Prohibited fishing practices include use of explosives, toxic substances, dredging or suction devices and apparatus that transmit electricity. A total of 19 cases of illegal fishing were successfully prosecuted in 2003 and 2004.

Artificial Reefs Deployment and Restocking of Fish Fry
Since 1996, the Department has been implementing an artificial reefs programme to enhance local marine resources. Some 165,570 cubic metres of artificial reefs for resource enhancement were deployed in suitable locations including Marine Parks, and fish spawning and nursery grounds in Port Shelter and Long Harbour. Further trials on releasing prawn and fish fry to enhance fisheries' resources were also conducted in 2003 and 2004.

New Regulatory Framework for Fishing Activities
To effectively control fishing activities in Hong Kong and bring our fisheries back on a sustainable path, the Department proposes to amend the Fisheries Protection Ordinance to provide a regulatory framework for the establishment of a fishing licence system, designation of fisheries protection areas and implementation of a territory-wide closed season for fishing. An extensive public consultation exercise with fishermen groups, green groups, advisory committees, district councils and the public was conducted between December 2004 and March 2005 to solicit their views on the proposal.

Fisheries Impact Assessment
To protect fisheries' resources and habitats, the Department continues to examine and provide professional advice on proposals, relevant Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies, as well as monitoring and audit programmes to ensure that the likely impact of development work on fisheries are adequately evaluated and minimised through effective mitigation.

Cross Boundary Liaison
Close communication channels have been established with Mainland authorities. This has facilitated discussion and cooperation on cross boundary issues pertinent to the management and conservation of fisheries resources in the South China Sea which are of common interest to both local and Mainland fishermen. Various issues including the implementation of a fishing moratorium in the South China Sea, the introduction of a new management framework for Hong Kong fishing vessels operating in Mainland waters, and development of offshore fishing were discussed with Mainland authorities through these channels.

Public Education
To increase public awareness of the importance of conserving fisheries' resources, the Department established the Fisheries Education Centre in Aberdeen in 2003. The centre enables visitors to gain a better understanding of the local fishing industry, fisheries resources and fisheries management measures through exhibits, interactive games and videos. More than 11,000 visitors patronised the centre since its opening. The Department also continues to disseminate fisheries conservation messages to the community through the Hong Kong Fish Net (www.hk-fish.net) and educational materials such as the Learn-a-fish-a-week calendar 2005.

Development of Sustainable Fisheries
The Department supports the fishing community in developing offshore fishing and other sustainable fisheries by providing technical support, training and liaison services as well as credit facilities. In 2003 and 2004, the Department, in collaboration with fisheries authorities and tertiary institutions in the Mainland, organised two training courses and a lecture to fishermen for boosting their knowledge and skills in offshore fishing. A study tour to the fisheries and marketing facilities in New Zealand was arranged for fishermen to explore the possibility of developing offshore fishing there. In addition, a loan of $2 million under the Fisheries Development Loan Fund was given to a fisherman for the development of deep-sea purse seining. After trial operations and further modifications, this new fishing operation has proven to be an option for local fishermen wanting to switch to sustainable fisheries.

Provision of Support Services
Various support services are provided to the fishing industry to help fishermen cope with the changing operating environment. These include implementation of the Mainland Fishermen Deckhands Scheme to address manpower shortage in the fishing industry, administration of fisheries loan funds to provide financial assistance to fishermen, and supervision of fisheries cooperative societies to promote cooperation among fishermen. To help some 1,400 trawling and purse-seining fishermen affected by the annual, two-month fishing moratorium in the South China Sea organised by Mainland authorities, special loans are made available under the Fish Marketing Organisation Loan Fund. Some 300 and 450 loans amounting to $8.9 million and $26 million were issued to affected fishermen in 2003 and 2004 respectively. Vocational training courses and seminars were also organised for fishermen during this time to rais e their awareness of fisheries management and conservation, as well as upgrad e their knowledge and skills in vessel operation and fishing techniques.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AQUACULTURE

The Department has implemented the following measures to promote the sustainability of the local aquaculture industry:

Proper Management of Marine Fish Culture Activities
Under the Marine Fish Culture Ordinance, Cap. 353, all marine fish culture activities in Hong Kong are required to operate under licence in designated fish culture zones. The Department conducts regular patrols and takes enforcement action against illegal mariculture activities.

Promoting Good Aquaculture Practices
In Hong Kong, fish disease outbreaks are mainly caused by pathogenic bacteria or parasitic protozoa as well as problems related to water quality and husbandry practice at fish farms. To help fish farmers minimise losses due to fish disease, the Department has put in place a fish health inspection programme under which regular farm visits are conducted to facilitate early detection of disease outbreaks, to train fish farmers on disease prevention measures and to provide fish disease diagnosis and treatment service in case of an outbreak. Improved culture techniques and good management practices are introduced to farmers through seminars, on-farm demonstrations and advisory leaflets.

Ensuring Orderly Wholesale Marketing
To ensure orderly marketing of fresh marine fish, the Department undertakes enforcement action against illegal wholesale marketing of marine fish in accordance with the Marine Fish (Marketing) Ordinance, Cap. 291. Technical and administrative support is also provided to the Fish Marketing Organisation (FMO), a statutory corporation established under Cap. 291 to ensure that orderly fish marketing services are provided to fishermen and fish traders through the wholesale fish markets operated by FMO. In the interest of protecting public health, the FMO took over the management of unregulated live marine fish wholesaling activities at the Aberdeen Promenade in late 2003 . Under FMO's management, the market has been operating in an orderly and hygienic manner.

Promotion of Local Fisheries Products
The Department works closely with FMO to implement suitable measures that promote local fisheries' products. New initiatives include setting up a fish processing centre by FMO to develop quality fisheries products and establish a local brand name for marketing these products. The Department has also assisted in the listing of fisheries products under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA). Such an arrangement will enhance the development potential of marketing local fisheries products in the Mainland.