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Fresh fish constitute one of Hong Kong's most important primary products.
Productions from capture and culture fisheries in 2003 were estimated
at about 157 400 tonnes and 3 840 tonnes respectively, with a total value
of $1.6 billion.
The Hong Kong fishing fleet comprises some 4 630 vessels
which are manned by around 10 100 local fishermen and 3 800 Mainland deckhands.
The predominant fishing method is trawling, which accounted for 84 per
cent of the catch, or 131 700 tonnes. Other fishing methods include lining,
gill netting and purse-seining. The 157 400 tonne total fish catch had
an estimated wholesale value of $1.5 billion. Discounting the catch landed
or sold outside Hong Kong, some 63 000 tonnes of the catch were supplied
for local consumption.
Under licence from the AFCD, 1 157 mariculturists
operate in 26 designated fish culture zones. They supplied 1 490 tonnes
of live marine fish valued at $76 million.
Freshwater and brackish water fish are cultured in
fish ponds covering some 1 030 hectares, most of which are located in
the north-western New Territories where they form part of the wetland
system of conservation interest. With the increasing urbanisation of the
New Territories, commercial fish pond production has gradually declined.
Pond fish culture yielded some 2 110 tonnes, or 6 per cent, of freshwater
fish for local consumption.
To promote sustainable development of the fishing
industry and to conserve fisheries resources in Hong Kong waters, the
AFCD continued to pursue a number of fisheries management and conservation
measures and to strengthen enforcement against destructive fishing practices.
An artificial reef deployment project, started in 1996, has been completed
in 2003. Altogether, artificial reefs with a total volume of 158 300 cubic
metres have been deployed at Hoi Ha Wan and Yan Chau Tong Marine Parks,
Port Shelter and Long Harbour.
Over 220 species of fish, including many high-valued
species such as groupers, breams, snappers and sweetlips, have been using
the reefs for feeding, shelter and as spawning and nursery areas. The
AFCD also started a trial on releasing shrimp fry in the Sha Chau and
Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park with a view to assessing its effectiveness in
enriching Hong Kong's marine resources. Following the completion of the
consultancy study on the feasibility of developing an offshore fishing
industry in 2002, the department continued to assist fishermen in developing
offshore fishing through provision of technical support, liaison services
and credit facilities.
To enhance public awareness of the importance of conserving
fisheries resources, the AFCD has set up a Fisheries Education Centre
in Aberdeen. The centre enables visitors to gain a better understanding
of the local fishing industry, fisheries resources and fisheries management
measures through exhibits, interactive games and a video show. The Mainland
fisheries authorities continued to enforce a fishing moratorium in the
South China Sea between June 1 and August 1 to conserve fisheries resources.
Apart from gill-netting, long-lining, hand-lining and cage trapping, all
fishing operations were banned during this period. About 1 400 Hong Kong
fishing vessels were affected. The Government continued to assist affected
fishermen to cope with the fishing moratorium through the provision of
low-interest loans, supporting services and vocational training.
With the aim of enhancing the sustainability of the
local aquaculture industry, the AFCD conducts adaptive development studies
and provides technical services to fish farmers. A fish health management
programme is in place to help fish farmers minimise losses due to fish
disease. Under the programme, departmental staff make regular visits to
fish farms to educate farmers on measures to prevent and detect disease,
and to provide a fish disease diagnostic service in case of an outbreak.
Improved culture techniques and good management practices are also introduced
to farmers through seminars, on-farm demonstrations and advisory leaflets.
Traditionally, marine cultured fish are fed with trash
fish. In recent years, with the AFCD's support, an increasing number of
marine fish farmers have switched to moist or dry pellet feed which reduces
pollution and improves both feed efficiency and fish health.
To provide a wider choice of species for culture,
the department is identifying new species with good market potential that
can be recommended to farmers. A trial culture of high-finned grouper
indicated that a fairly good growth rate could be obtained under cage
culture conditions and the winter survival rate enhanced with a diet enriched
with vitamin C. Techniques for culturing high-finned grouper have been
introduced to mariculturists at technical seminars. Two new freshwater
fish species, jade perch and tench, have been identified as suitable for
culture in Hong Kong waters, and have better market potential. Collaborative
culture trials of these two species with fish farmers have been conducted.
To mitigate the impact of mariculture on the surrounding
environment, the AFCD, in collaboration with the City University of Hong
Kong, is conducting a study on using specially designed artificial reefs
known as biofilters to provide a hard substratum for growing filter-feeders,
such as green-lipped mussels, to trap and remove organic wastes, thereby
improving the water quality. The trial biofilters were placed in the Kau
Sai fish culture zone in 2002. Preliminary findings showed that the biofilters
have led to the establishment of a rich fish community and a significant
reduction in organic waste in the sediments within the fish culture zone.
In response to a growing public demand for angling facilities and the
wish of some mariculturists to open their fish rafts for recreational
fishing, the AFCD began a trial scheme in recreational fishing on fish
culture rafts in two fish culture zones in August 2002. Subsequently,
the scheme has been extended to six more fish culture zones.
The department continues to implement its red tide
monitoring and management measures with a view to minimising the impact
of red tides on mariculture. The monitoring effort includes proactive
phytoplankton monitoring before the formation of a red tide and rapid
risk assessment of red tide incidents that are reported. A computerised
system using Geographic Information System technology helps visualise
the spatial and temporal distribution of red tides and provides a quick
analysis of their development and movement. Red tide warnings are disseminated
to mariculturists and the public through the red tide support groups set
up in fish culture zones, press releases and the AFCD website. |
