Press Releases
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Community to be consulted on fisheries management proposals The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will conduct a comprehensive consultation exercise in mid-December on amendments to the Fisheries Protection Ordinance before implementing a number of fisheries management proposals. Assistant Director (Fisheries,) Dr Leung Siu-fai, said today (November 29) that the proposals comprised the establishment of a fishing licence system, designation of Fisheries Protection Areas and the implementation of an annual territory-wide closed season for fishing, adding that they aimed at conserving local fisheries resources and promoting sustainable development of the local fishing industry. The proposals were based on the recommendations of the "Consultancy Study on Fisheries Resources and Fishing Operations in Hong Kong Waters" completed in 1998, a study which addressed the steady decline of fisheries resources and harvests in local waters over the years. Views of the concerned parties about the recommendations, including those from the fishing community, were also incorporated into the proposals. In the coming consultation exercise, Dr Leung said the department will again consult local fishermen together with the related fisheries advisory bodies, academics, green groups, various District Councils and the Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene. When meeting representatives of a local fishermen's association today, Dr Leung assured them that their views would be reflected to the Legislative Council when amendments to the ordinance were submitted to the Legislative Council. He said the department would take into account the views of the entire fishing community in the consultation, including theirs. He pledged that necessary support would be given to the fishermen to minimise any adverse impact caused by the proposals, if implemented.
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