XN000022-1994-08-16 — Page 10

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1994

THE RESEARCH PROJECT IS RUN IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE SWIRE MARINE LABORATORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.

AFD'S FISHERIES OFFICERS SPECIALISING IN THIS FIELD, INCLUDING MR DAVID COOK, WERE OF THE VIEW THAT SOME FORM OF RESTRICTION OF FISHING WOULD BE REQUIRED ON MOST ARTIFICIAL REEFS INITIALLY DEPLOYED UNDER THE FISHAB PROJECT.

"AS NEW ARTIFICIAL REEFS SERVE TO ATTRACT AND AGGREGATE FISH FROM OTHER AREAS UNTIL THEY BECOME SELF-SUSTAINING, ANY FISHING IN THE VICINITY MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO SURPASS THE ACTUAL PRODUCTION OF FISH ON THE REEFS AS THIS WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO ANY OVERFISHING PROBLEM ALREADY FACING THE REGION, MR COOK SAID.

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HK WILL MAINTAIN EFFICIENT POSTAL SERVICE

THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN A HIGHLY EFFICIENT POSTAL SERVICE TO KEEP PACE WITH THE DEMANDS OF THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY THOSE OF THE BUSINESS SECTOR, THE ACTING GOVERNOR, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

OF NOT

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PRE-CONGRESS CONFERENCE COMMONWEALTH POSTAL ADMINISTRATIONS, MRS CHAN SAID HONG KONG WAS COMPLACENT WITH ITS ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE AS THE WORLD REMAINED

COMPETITIVE.

"WE ARE WORKING ON PROPOSALS TO TURN THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE INTO A TRADING FUND OPERATION," SHE SAID.

UNDER THESE PROPOSALS, THE POST OFFICE WILL BE GIVEN MORE FLEXIBILITY IN MANAGING ITS OWN RESOURCES BUT WILL BE REQUIRED TO OPERATE ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS WHILE REMAINING AS A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT.

THE KEY ADVANTAGE IS THAT IT WOULD BE LESS CONSTRAINED BY OVERALL GOVERNMENT BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS IN EXPANDING ITS SERVICE TO MEET THE MARKET DEMAND, SHE EXPLAINED.

THE CONFERENCE DISCUSSES MANY MAJOR ISSUES WITH FAR-REACHING EFFECTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL POSTAL SERVICE. THESE WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION CONGRESS TO BE HELD IN SEOUL IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONFERENCE.

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