ENG-2002 — Page 233

FOOD SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES

business. The department will continue to assist fishermen in developing offshore fishing through the provision of technical support, liaison services and credit facilities. Moreover, the department has been implementing an artificial reef deployment project in two phases to enhance fisheries resources and to promote conservation of the marine environment. The first phase, involving deployment of a total of 9 670 square metres of artificial reefs in Hoi Ha Wan and Yan Chau Tong Marine Parks, was completed in 1999. The results are encouraging. Over 200 species of fish, including many high-valued species such as coral trout and green wrasse, have been found using the reefs for feeding, shelter and as spawning and nursery areas. The second phase, which involves the deployment of 26 160 square metres of artificial reefs in Port Shelter and Long Harbour, commenced in September 2001 and is scheduled for completion in mid-2003. In addition, the department continued to monitor the results of a trial on releasing fish fry in artificial reef areas in Hoi Ha Wan and Yan Chau Tong Marine Parks, conducted in 2001, with a view to assessing its effectiveness in enhancing fisheries resources.

To enhance public awareness of the importance of fisheries resources conservation in Hong Kong, the AFCD has launched a bilingual website, the Hong Kong Fish Net (http://www.hk-fish.net). It contains interesting fisheries-related information and a 'Hong Kong Marine Fish Database', which consists of photographs and data of about 1 000 marine fishes in Hong Kong and provides useful information for educational and research purposes.

The Mainland fisheries authority continued to enforce a fishing moratorium in the South China Sea between June 1 and August 1 to conserve fisheries resources. Apart from gill-netting, long-lining, hand-lining and cage trapping, all fishing operations were banned during this period. About 1400 Hong Kong fishing vessels were affected. The Government will continue to assist affected fishermen to cope with the fishing moratorium through the provision of low-interest loans, supporting services and vocational training.

To enhance the sustainability of the local aquaculture industry, the AFCD conducts adaptive development studies and provides technical services to fish farmers. A fish health management programme is in place to help fish farmers minimise losses due to fish diseases. Under the programme, departmental staff make regular visits to fish. farms to educate fish farmers on measures for disease prevention and detection, and to provide a fish disease diagnostic service in case of an outbreak. Improved culture techniques and good management practices are also extended to fish farmers through seminars, on-farm demonstrations as well as advisory leaflets and guidelines.

Traditionally, marine cultured fish are fed with trash fish. In recent years, with the department's effort, an increasing number of marine fish farmers have switched to moist or dry pellet feed which reduces pollution and improves both feed efficiency and fish health.

To provide wider choice of species for culture, the department is identifying new species with good market potential for recommendation to fish farmers. Trial culture of high-finned grouper indicated that a fairly good growth rate could be obtained under cage culture conditions. Further study on the survival rate of this species during winter in Hong Kong is being conducted.

To mitigate the impact of mariculture on the surrounding environment, the AFCD, in collaboration with the City University of Hong Kong, is conducting a study on using artificial reefs (biofilters) to provide a hard substratum for growing filter-

181