Press Releases
|
Joining hands to protect local marine environment The Agriculture and Fisheries Department today (Sunday) held a clean-up campaign with divers from various organisations to remove fishing gear and rubbish left on the seabed and coastal areas of marine parks and marine reserve. The exercise covered all three marine parks at Yan Chau Tong, Hoi Ha Wan and Sha Chau/ Lung Kwu Chau as well as Cape D'Aguilar Marine Reserve and the coastal area of Kat O Chau. Speaking on the campaign, Senior Marine Parks Officer, Mr Edward Wong said: "Marine environment in these places will be much improved with the removal of abandoned fishing gear. "It also helps prevent unnecessary damages to marine resources." The refuse left on seabed, also known as the 'ghost fishing gear', might trap and kill marine life if not clear regularly. "It will reduce the catch of fishermen while by-catch such as crabs and sea urchins will be killed incidentally," Mr Wong added. More than 110 divers from the Fire Services Department and other diving organisations participated in the clean-up exercise. Besides, various green groups and fishermen from Sha Tau Kok and Kat O Chau took part in litter collection at nearby beaches. Mr Wong said the removal exercise would increase awareness of fishermen on the problems of ghost fishing gear. "The campaign also helps promote co-operation among the department, green groups, other voluntary organisations and fishermen in conserving marine parks and marine reserve," he added. The three marine parks and a marine reserve, covering total sea areas of 2,160 hectares, were designated in 1996 for long-term protection and improvement of the marine environment. A similar clean-up campaign was conducted last year at Hoi Ha Wan and Yan Chau Tong Marine Parks where about 10 tonnes of ghost fishing gear and rubbish were removed and disposed of. |
||
 |
||
|
||
|
