ENG-2005 — Page 236

194 Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries

Fisheries Industry

Fresh fish constitutes one of Hong Kong's most important primary products. The capture and culture fisheries produces an estimated 161 960 tonnes and 3 570 tonnes respectively in 2005, with a total value of $1.7 billion.

The Hong Kong fishing fleet comprises some 4 150 vessels which are manned by around 9 170 local fishermen and 4 251 Mainland deckhands. The predominant fishing method is trawling, which accounted for 82 per cent of the catch, or 132 340 tonnes. Other fishing methods include lining, gill netting and purse-seining. The 161 960 tonne total fish catch had an estimated wholesale value of $1.6 billion. Discounting the catch landed or sold outside Hong Kong, some 58 800 tonnes of the catch were supplied for local consumption.

Under licence from the AFCD, 1 104 mariculturists operate in 26 designated fish culture zones. They supplied 1 540 tonnes of live marine fish valued at $76 million.

Freshwater and brackish water fish are cultured in fish ponds covering some

1 030 ha, most of which are located in the northwestern New Territories. With the increasing urbanisation of the New Territories, commercial fish pond production has gradually declined. Pond fish culture yielded some 1 900 tonnes, or 6 per cent, of freshwater fish for local consumption.

The AFCD continued to pursue a number of fisheries management and conservation measures and strengthened enforcement against destructive fishing practices in order to promote sustainable development of the fishing industry and conserve fisheries resources in Hong Kong waters. During the year, it continued to monitor, via an underwater survey, the performance of the deployed artificial reefs at Hoi Ha Wan and Yan Chau Tong Marine Parks, Port Shelter and Long Harbour in enhancing and supporting fisheries populations. The results indicated that artificial reefs with a more complex structure supported a higher diversity of fish population. Over 220 species of fish, including many high-valued species such as groupers, breams, snappers and sweetlips, have been using the reefs for feeding, shelter and as spawning and nursery areas. In addition, the department continued to assist fishermen in offshore fishing ventures and other sustainable modes of operation and helped them to cope with the annual fishing moratorium in the South China Sea enforced by the Mainland fisheries authorities by providing technical support, liaison services and credit facilities.

The AFCD conducts adaptive development studies and provides technical services to fish farmers with the aim of enhancing the sustainability of the local aquaculture industry. A fish health management programme is in place to help fish farmers minimise losses due to fish disease. Under the programme, regular visits are conducted to educate farmers on measures to prevent and detect disease and a laboratory diagnostic service is provided to investigate the cause(s) of disease outbreaks and advise farmers on appropriate treatment methods. Improved culture techniques and good management practices are also introduced to farmers through seminars, on-farm demonstrations and advisory leaflets. In recent years, with the AFCD's support, an increasing number of marine fish farmers have switched from