Press Releases
Food and Health Bureau officials learn more about fisheries eco-tourism pilot scheme (with photos)
The Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mrs Marion Lai, and the
Under Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Gabriel Leung, accompanied by
the Assistant Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
(Fisheries), Dr So Ping-man, joined a marine-based guided tour today (March
12) to see a pilot scheme for fisheries eco-tourism.
Mrs Lai and Professor Leung first boarded a boat in Sai Kung where they were
briefed by a fisherman turned eco-tour guide on Hong Kong's marine
resources, the history of local fisheries and the culture of fishing
communities. They also spoke to industry representatives to learn more about
the guided tour operation. They then visited Tai Tau Chau to observe
fishermen demonstrating various capture fishing methods.
In collaboration with local fishermen and the private sector, the
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) launched the pilot
scheme in Sai Kung and the north-eastern New Territories to help fishermen
venture into eco-tourism. The scheme provides marine-based guided tours that
cover the culture and practices of fishing communities as well as the
ecological and geological features of Hong Kong. Over 70 fishermen have been
trained in the pilot scheme so far.
The AFCD will continue to explore opportunities to collaborate with
fishermen in other districts to extend the pilot scheme and help more
fishermen develop their businesses.
To help fishermen gain practical experience in other sustainable operations,
the AFCD has been providing free training courses on eco-tourism,
aquaculture and other fisheries-related operations during the fishing
moratorium in the South China Sea since last year.
To protect our precious marine resources and ecology, the Government
proposed legislation to prevent non-selective trawling operations from
further damaging the seabed and affecting adversely other marine resources.
It is expected that, upon the implementation of the trawl ban, not all
fishermen will leave the trade for good. The AFCD 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 businesses.
Meanwhile, Professor Leung also met fishermen's representatives, individual
fishermen, academics, nature conservation groups and other stakeholders on
March 9 and 10 to listen to their views and suggestions regarding the
proposed trawl ban in Hong Kong waters.
During the meetings, Professor Leung said he was glad to learn that
academics and nature conservation groups fully support the trawl ban
initiative.
"Hong Kong waters are important fish spawning and nursery grounds. The
Government's proposal to ban trawling in Hong Kong waters will arrest
harmful depletion of marine resources and enable rehabilitation of the
marine ecosystems to a sustainable level over time," he said.
In response to the concern of some fishermen's representatives that the
livelihood of trawler fishermen would be affected by this initiative,
Professor Leung reiterated that in addition to AFCD's special training
programme to assist affected fishermen to switch to sustainable fishing
operations, the Government proposes to pay an ex-gratia allowance to
eligible trawler owners and to launch a voluntary scheme for them to
surrender their trawler vessels. The Government also proposes to provide
one-off grants to local deckhands employed by the affected trawler owners
who surrender their trawler vessels, with a view to assisting them to tide
over this transition period. Moreover, the Government is reviewing the
mechanism, loan terms and eligibility of the Fisheries Development Loan Fund
to enable the Fund to better cope with fishermen's needs in developing or
switching to sustainable fisheries and related operations.
Ends/Saturday, March 12, 2011
Issued at HKT 13:10
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