Press Releases

Measures to help fishermen cope with fish moratorium
Tuesday, May 28, 2002

A series of measures have been planned to help local fishermen cope with the fishing moratorium in the South China Sea this year.

The Mainland authorities announced earlier that the fishing moratorium for this year would last from June 1 to August 1. All fishing operations will be suspended except gill-netting, long-lining, hand-lining and cage trapper.

A spokesman for the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (May 28), "It is estimated that some 1,400 local fishing vessels will be affected in the exercise. As the fishing moratorium is an annual exercise, AFCD has reminded fishermen from time to time that they should take into account its implications in planning their operation every year.

"Fishermen who have genuine financial difficulties may apply for low interest loans under the Fish Marketing Organisation Loan Fund."

During the fishing moratorium, AFCD will organise some free vocational training courses for fishermen to update their skills. On the other hand, fishermen may for the first time apply for the Marine Fish Scholarship Fund to study fisheries training courses arranged by other organisations during this period.

Mainland fisheries officials will also be invited to give talks at a seminar to be held on June 6 at the Hong Kong Central Library. Fishermen will be updated on the Mainland's fisheries management policy and offshore fishing industry.

In addition, an exhibition on fisheries and marine conservation will be staged from June 6 to 14 at the Central Library.

The fishing moratorium was implemented in the South China Sea for the first time in 1999 with a view to conserving fisheries resources and promoting sustainable development of the fishing industry. A Hong Kong Working Group on Fishing Moratorium, chaired by AFCD and included fishermen representatives, was set up to co-ordinate measures to help the fishermen.

Other members of the Working Group, including the Marine Department, Hong Kong Police Force and the Fire Services Department, will implement special berthing arrangements, strengthen patrols and enhance publicity to alert fishermen on prevention of fire and crime in typhoon shelters.