XN000022-1973-11-24 — Page 2

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Saturday, November 24, 1973

FISH FARMERS RECEIVE ADVANCE PAYMENTS FOR LOSSES DUE TO OIL SPILLAGE

Advanced payments were made by the government to fish farmers

in Picnic Bay today for losses of fish suffered by them following the

oil spillage at Ap Lei Chau two weeks ago.

Announcing this, a spokesman for the New Territories Administration

said that the fish farmers in Picnic Bay were accustomed to selling their

fish daily and they had suffered an immediate loss of income after the

spillage. Some 50 piculs of fish had died in the period up to November

20, 1973.

"Although it is considered that the government is under no

obligation to make any payments in respect of the oil spillage, it has

been decided to make these payments to relieve the hardship which has

occurred," he said.

The advanced payments are being made by the District Officer

Island against losses established by the Agriculture and Fisheries

Department in conjunction with staff-of the District Office. "The

fish farmers are being paid the market price for the fish lost," the

spokesman continued, "' and the payment will help to tide them over a

difficult period."

Meanwhile, investigations by experts in marine ecology are

continuing into the immediate effects and long term implications of the

oil spillage on the marine life in the area.

Note to Editors:

Copies of a photograph of the distribution of payments

are boxed for collection.

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