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(b)
(c)
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Marine fish culture is prohibited inside marine parks and marine reserves under the Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation, made under the Marine Parks Ordinance. The maximum penalty for contravention of the prohibition is a fine of up to $25,000 and imprisonment for one year. To date, this provision has not been contravened. We consider the penalty to be an adequate deterrent.
For nfarine fish culture outside the boundary of the marine parks and marine reserves, the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries has the power to cancel a marine fish culture licence if the licensee contravenes the licence conditions and to seize and detain any raft being used in connection with the commission of any offence under the Marine Fish Culture Ordinance. The maximum penalty for contravention of the prohibition on engaging in fish culture within the waters of Hong Kong outside a fish culture zone is a fine of $5,000 and imprisonment for six months. We consider that illegal operation of fish rafts has not been a serious problem to date and that the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries has adequate power to deal with contravention of licence. conditions.
There has not been any deterioration in water quality in the Yan Chau Tong Marine Park since its establishment. Since 1991, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has been carrying out water sampling in the Mirs Bay Water Control Zone, which includes the Yan Chau Tong Marine Park, and there is so far no indication that water quality in the area has deteriorated. Additional sampling points both inside and near the Yan Chau Tong Marine Park have been set up by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department since 1994 and the results confirmed EPD's finding. We will continue to monitor the water quality in the area.