Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ14: Livelihood of fishermen

        Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (February 25):

 

Question:

 

        Many fishermen have told me that owing to financial difficulties, they had to sell their fishing vessels to maintain their livelihood, thus causing the local fishing industry to dwindle.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

 

(a) of the current number of fishing vessels and how it compares with that 10 years ago;

 

(b) of the total number of fishing vessels at the end of each of the past three years, together with a breakdown by their types;

 

(c) whether it has studied the causes of the large number of fishermen selling their fishing vessels in recent years; if it has, of the findings, and

 

(d) of the measures in place to help revive the fishing industry and improve the livelihood of the fishermen?

 

Reply:

 

(a) As at the end of 2003, the number of fishing vessels was estimated to be around 4,630, about 170 fewer than that in 1994, which stood at 4,800.

 

(b) The total number of fishing vessels at the end of each of the past three years, with a breakdown by types is as follows:

 

Types of Vessels               Estimated No.

                                2001           2002          2003

Trawlers                  1,480          1,420          1,440

Liners                       330             310             320

Gill-netters                350              330            300

Purse-seiners              90               90             100

Others                      100                90              80

(e.g. cage-trappers)

Sampans                   2,750          2,530         2,390

Total                         5,100          4,770         4,630

 

(c) The figures listed under (b) show that, except for sampans, there has been little change in the number of fishing vessels in Hong Kong in the past three years.  As far as we are aware, some of the fishermen who have sold their vessels may wish to pursue careers or employments in other fields.  At the same time, it is noted that there are newcomers to the industry who are willing to invest in the purchase or construction of fishing vessels.

 

(d) It has always been the Government's policy to promote the sustainable development of the fishing industry and to facilitate local fishermen to develop their fishing business and enhance their productivity and competitiveness.  In this connection, the Government is firmly committed to the provision of a series of assistance and services that include:

 

* technical support services in vessel design and construction and use of fishing equipment;

 

* training courses and study tours for fishermen;

 

* low-interest loans through four fishing loan funds for development and production purposes;

 

* orderly marine fish wholesale distribution service and facilities through the Fish Marketing Organisation, and the ploughing back of revenue generated therefrom to support the development of local fisheries;

 

* assisting in the development of offshore fishing through the provision of technical support, liaison services and credit facilities;

 

* implementation of the existing fishery laws to combat destructive fishing activities and protect local fisheries resources;

 

* planning and implementing fisheries management and conservation measures, including the placement of artificial reefs, fish fry release trial scheme and the proposed implementation of a fishing licence system, designation of fisheries protection areas and annual closed season for fishing.

 

Ends/Wednesday, February 25, 2004

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