Press Releases

AFCD and Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium sign MoU on launch of commercially operating aquaculture trial project at Tung Lung Chau modern mariculture demonstration farm
Monday, August 26, 2024 

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today (August 26) with the Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium (HKFC) to launch a commercially operating aquaculture trial project at the modern mariculture demonstration farm at the Tung Lung Chau fish culture zone.

An AFCD spokesman said, "Developing deep sea mariculture is one of the key measures of the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries. To this end, the Department will launch a commercially operating aquaculture trial project at the Tung Lung Chau modern mariculture demonstration farm at the Tung Lung Chau fish culture zone. This project, which will operate on a commercialised, high value-added and sustainable aquaculture model, will use modern equipment, conduct trials with new aquaculture technologies, provide training for local fishermen, etc."

The 18-month commercially operating aquaculture trial project will be implemented by a suitable local aquaculture production unit commissioned by the HKFC. A local academic institution will be invited to act as the project consultant, which will be responsible for collecting aquaculture and economic data, as well as providing training for local fishermen and developing a standard operating manual. The HKFC will formulate a clear selection mechanism to ensure a fair, impartial and transparent selection process when commissioning the local aquaculture production unit.

Through a partnership, the AFCD will collaborate with the HKFC to foster industry development, enhance functions of fisheries organisations, share the benefits of intensification with fishermen and strengthen their role in the future of Hong Kong's fisheries development.

To guide the local mariculture industry to adopt modern and sustainable operation, the AFCD established a modern mariculture demonstration farm at the Tung Lung Chau fish culture zone in 2021. The demonstration farm has adopted a semi-submersible steel truss cage farm design that can withstand strong wind, waves and ocean currents and is durable. Equipped with modernised technology and management, such as a real-time surveillance system, a real-time water quality monitoring system, an automated feeding system, a solar and wind power generation system, the demonstration farm can operate in the open sea with better water exchange on a larger scale and increase production capacity.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today (August 26) with the Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium (HKFC) to launch a commercially operating aquaculture trial project at the modern mariculture demonstration farm at the Tung Lung Chau fish culture zone. Photo shows the Assistant Director (Fisheries and Marine Conservation) of the AFCD, Dr Jim Chu (second right), and the Vice Chairman of the HKFC, Ms Lau Kam-fung (second left), witnessed by the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Patrick Lai (first right), and the Executive Chairman of the HKFC, Mr Chan Pok-chi (first left), signing the MoU.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today (August 26) with the Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium (HKFC) to launch a commercially operating aquaculture trial project at the modern mariculture demonstration farm at the Tung Lung Chau fish culture zone. Photo shows the Assistant Director (Fisheries and Marine Conservation) of the AFCD, Dr Jim Chu (second right), and the Vice Chairman of the HKFC, Ms Lau Kam-fung (second left), witnessed by the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Patrick Lai (first right), and the Executive Chairman of the HKFC, Mr Chan Pok-chi (first left), after the MoU signing.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today (August 26) with the Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium (HKFC) to launch a commercially operating aquaculture trial project at the modern mariculture demonstration farm at the Tung Lung Chau fish culture zone. Photo shows the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Patrick Lai (first right); the Assistant Director (Fisheries and Marine Conservation) of the AFCD, Dr Jim Chu (second right); the Executive Chairman of the HKFC, Mr Chan Pok-chi (first left); and the Vice Chairman of the HKFC, Ms Lau Kam-fung (second left), after the MoU signing.

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