2019/01/17
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Trawler suspected of operating illegally intercepted in joint operation
Thursday, March 22, 2018

A trawler suspected of operating illegally was intercepted in an anti-illegal fishing operation jointly mounted by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Marine Police in the northern waters of Hong Kong last night (March 21).

At about 7.45pm last night, AFCD officers and the Marine Police patrolling the waters northeast of Shek Ngau Chau found a fishing vessel suspected to be trawling there. They signaled the vessel to stop for an inspection. About 2 kilograms of catch and some gear used for trawling, including a "framed trawl net", were seized on board the vessel.

Charges were laid today (March 22) against seven Mainland men found on the vessel, which was suspected to have contravened the Fisheries Protection Regulations by using prohibited fishing gear. They will appear at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (March 23).

An AFCD spokesman reminded the public that the ban on trawling came into force on December 31, 2012. Any person who contravenes the ban upon conviction is liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for six months under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance.

The spokesman said that trawling is a non-selective fishing operation which damages the seabed and marine ecosystems. A ban on trawling brings this harmful depletion to an immediate halt, enabling marine ecosystems to be gradually rehabilitated to a sustainable level and be better conserved in the long run.

The spokesman said, "The AFCD and the Police will continue to carry out joint enforcement operations to crack down on illegal fishing activities."

A trawler suspected of operating illegally was intercepted in an anti-illegal fishing operation jointly mounted by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Marine Police in the northern waters of Hong Kong last night (March 21). Photo shows the fishing vessel suspected of trawling illegally.
A trawler suspected of operating illegally was intercepted in an anti-illegal fishing operation jointly mounted by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Marine Police in the northern waters of Hong Kong last night (March 21). Photo shows the fishing vessel suspected of trawling illegally.

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