XN000022-1981-01-21 — Page 12

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1981

GOVERNMENT HELPS IN SEARCH FOR NEW FISH GROUNDS

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THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ASSIST IN-SHORE FISHERMEN WHO WISH TO CONVERT TO OFF-SHORE OR DEEP-SEA FISHING, DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, THE HON J.M. RIDDELL-SWAN, SAID TODAY.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON S.L. CHEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. MR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCAL FISHING INDUSTRY, PARTICULARLY DEEP-SEA FISHING WHICH PROVIDES SOME 70 PER CENT OF TOTAL FISH LANDINGS, HAD ALWAYS BEEN A MATTER OF PRIME CONCERN FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

THE ASSISTANCE ALREADY BEING GIVEN IS, IN VIEW OF THE PRESENT SITUATION, BEING STEPPED UP.

THIS INCLUDES:

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LOW-INTEREST LOANS TO BUILD NEW BOATS, CONVERT

OLD BOATS, BUY NEW EQUIPMENT AND TO PROVIDE WORKING CAPITAL. LOAN PROCEDURES ARE BEING SIMPLIFIED AND REPAYMENT TERMS HAVE BEEN EASED=

* COURSES IN NAVIGATION, ENGINEERING AND USE OF

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, AS WELL AS BUSINESS MANAGEMENT. THESE WILL BE EXPANDED TO MEET INCREASED DEMAND-

*

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IMPROVED DESIGNS FOR VESSELS AND GEAR SUPPLIED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT'S FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT SERVICE-

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES TO IDENTIFY NEW RESOURCES, PARTICULARLY BOTTOM LIVING FISH STOCKS IN PREVIOUSLY UNEXPLOITED AREAS AND MID-WATER OR SURFACE FISH STOCKS. A PROGRAMME IS BEING DRAWN UP FOR THE NEWLY ACQUIRED MODERN RESEARCH VESSEL.

EVERY ENCOURAGEMENT FOR TREE PLANTING ****

IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY TO PROMOTE THE PLANTING OF TREES BY ALL SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING SCHOOL CHILDREN, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES SAID TODAY.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS ONLY TOO WILLING TO HELP SCHOOLS TO PLANT TREES IN ANY SUITABLE AREA ON THE IR PREMISES, ALTHOUGH THEY WOULD NOT NORMALLY BE ENCOURAGED TO DIG UP THEIR CONCRETE PLAYGROUNDS WHICH ARE REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLIES AND GAMES.

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT RESPONDS WITH ENTHUSIASM TO ALL REQUESTS FROM SCHOOLS AND YOUTH ORGANISATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE IN TREE PLANTING AND PROVIDES, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, YOUNG TREES FREE OF CHARGE, MR JONES SAID.

SINCE APRIL