182 | Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries
Fisheries Industry
Fresh fish is one of Hong Kong's most important primary products. In 2008, fish caught and fish reared in ponds and floating cages at sea amounted to about 162 000 tonnes. Their combined value was $1.92 billion.
Hong Kong's fishing fleet consists of some 3 750 vessels, manned by about 7 900 local fishermen and 5 000 Mainland deckhands. The predominant fishing method is trawling, which accounted for 86 per cent of fish caught, weighing about 136 500 tonnes. Other methods include lining, gill netting and purse-seining. The total catch weighed 158 000 tonnes and had an estimated wholesale value of $1.78 billion. The industry provided some 49 600 tonnes of fish for local consumption during the year.
Under licence issued by the AFCD, 1 066 mariculturists operate in 26 designated fish culture zones. They supplied the market with 1 370 tonnes of live marine fish valued at $82 million in 2008.
Freshwater and brackish water fish is reared in fish ponds, most of which are. located in the northwestern part of the New Territories. With the increasing urbanisation of the New Territories, commercial production of pond fish has gradually declined. Pond fish culture yielded some 2 270 tonnes of fish, or 5 per cent of freshwater fish for local consumption in 2008.
The AFCD continued to pursue a number of fisheries management and conservation measures, and stepped up action against destructive fishing practices to promote sustainable development of the fishing industry and to conserve fish resources in Hong Kong waters. In 2008, a total of 1 200 cubic meters of artificial reefs were used to boost fish resources and to conserve the ecology of Hong Kong
waters.
In addition, the AFCD continued to assist fishermen to switch to sustainable modes of operation. Credit facilities were provided for fishermen to switch to sustainable fisheries, or related operations, and for fish farmers to develop their aquaculture business. The department also helped fishermen cope with the annual fishing moratorium in the South China Sea imposed by the Mainland authorities by providing them with technical support, liaison services and credit facilities.
The Committee on Sustainable Fisheries was established in late 2006 to advise the Government on the long-term goals, direction, and strategy for the sustainable development of Hong Kong's fisheries industry.
The AFCD conducts studies and provides technical services to fish farmers to strengthen the aquaculture industry's sustainability. The department continues to implement a fish health management programme to help fish farmers prevent, diagnose and contain fish disease to minimise loss. A new 'Good Aquaculture Practices Programme' was launched in 2008 to enhance fish farm management.
Under the programme, AFCD staff visit fish farms regularly to collect water and fish samples for analysis. Seminars are held for farmers to learn new techniques and