Press Releases
Loan schemes for fishermen
The Government intended to provide loans amounting to $250 million in addition
to existing loans to fishermen and fish farmers to tide over the annual fishing
moratorium and to assist them to pursue alternative modes of operation and
develop aquaculture business, a spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food
Bureau said today (May 13).
The Government has consulted Hon Wong Yung-kan, who represents the agriculture
and fisheries sector, and fishermen groups in the last few months and the
decision was made after taking into consideration the difficult operating
environment facing by the fishermen in recent years and the need to conserve
fisheries resources.
The message was conveyed to a group of fishermen and fish farmers during a
meeting with the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr
Lau Sin-pang, today.
Among these $250 million, $190 million will be used for providing loans to
assist fishermen and fish farmers to pursue sustainable fisheries or related
operations, such as offshore fishing and developing aquaculture business.
Another $60 million will be used for offering low interest loan to fishermen
affected by the moratorium in South China Sea.
"The arrangement will be similar to the moratorium loan and other existing loan
schemes currently provided to fishermen. They may use the loan to tide over the
two months period in June and July and to make preparation for resumption of
fishing activities after the moratorium," the spokesman said.
The Government will consult Legislative Council's Panel on Food Safety and
Environmental Hygiene later this month and seek funding endorsement from the
Finance Committee in June.
The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, will meet fishermen
groups on May 16 to brief them the proposed loan schemes.
The Government appeals to the fishermen groups not to take any drastic action to
pursue their request.
Ends/Saturday, May 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 13:53
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