2 -
Allowance to fishermen affected by reclamation
Following is a question by the Hon Tsang Kin-shing and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
In recent years, dredging works undertaken in Hong Kong waters have caused substantial reductions in fish catches and this has affected the livelihood of local fishermen. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
how the criteria for granting ex-gratia payment to the affected fishermen
are set;
whether those in the trade have been consulted widely before setting the criteria; if so, what are the details;
(c)
how the Government will handle those fishermen who are dissatisfied with the amount of ex-gratia payment granted to them; and
(d)
whether it will consider increasing the ex-gratia payment; if not, why
not?
Reply:
Mr President,
(a)
The criteria currently used for calculating and granting ex-gratia allowances to fishermen affected by reclamation, dredging and dumping projects were approved by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council in May 1993. The basis for calculating the amount of ex-gratia payment was the notional value of three years' catch in the affected area. The notional value of catch was determined by the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries based on the fishing port survey conducted in 1989-91 and the Fish Marketing Organisation (FMO)'s fish price index, which is updated annually. Those affected fishermen owning vessels of more than 15 metres in length were also eligible for ex-gratia payment;