Press Releases
SFH visits local trawlers (with photos)
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, visited Tai Po this
afternoon (February 28) to get a first-hand understanding of trawling
activities in Hong Kong.
Dr Chow first went on board a shrimp trawler where he was briefed by
the vessel owner on the daily fishing operations and fishing grounds,
and learned more about the livelihoods of fishermen and the trawling
operation. He then visited Shuen Wan Typhoon Shelter to take a look at
other types of trawlers.
Dr Chow took the opportunity to talk with representatives of the
fisheries industry to keep abreast of the latest developments in the
local capture fisheries sector. He also listened to the trade's views
on government proposals to ban trawling in Hong Kong waters.
The Chief Executive announced in his Policy Address last year to ban
trawling in Hong Kong waters through legislation to prevent
non-selective trawling operations from further damaging the seabed and
impacting on other marine resources, with the objective of protecting
our precious marine resources and ecology. As this initiative will
affect the livelihood of trawler fishermen, the Government is
considering paying an ex-gratia allowance to eligible trawler owners
and launching a voluntary scheme for the surrender of trawlers, as
well as providing one-off grants to local deckhands employed by the
affected trawler owners who surrender their trawlers.
It is expected that following the implementation of the trawling ban,
not all trawler fishermen will leave the trade for good. Consequently,
the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will introduce
a special training programme to assist affected fishermen to switch to
sustainable fishing operations such as mariculture or recreational
fishing. The special training programme includes free courses and
pilot schemes on eco-tourism, aquaculture and other fisheries-related
business.
In addition, affected fishermen may also apply to the Fisheries
Development Loan Fund for low interest loans to help them switch to
sustainable fisheries operations or other fisheries-related
operations. The Government is also reviewing the mechanism of the loan
fund, its loan terms and eligibility criteria, so as to better meet
the needs of the fishermen.
The capture fisheries sector in Hong Kong comprises approximately
3,900 fishing vessels, of which about 1,100 are trawlers.
Ends/Monday, February 28, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:27
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