ENG-2006 — Page 234

190 | Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries

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high-value crop production. During the year, two rich varieties of vegetable flesh rock melon and mini red watermelon were introduced to farmers to cultivate

in Hong Kong.

The voluntary Accredited Farm Scheme managed by the AFCD and the Vegetable Marketing Organisation since 1994 is designed to provide a stable supply of high quality, safe vegetables. A total of 215 farms spread over 1 855 ha of land have so far been accredited under the scheme. The organisation continues to use a 'Good Farmer' cartoon logo to promote accredited produce.

In June 2006, the Government introduced a voluntary surrender scheme for pig farmers and live pig transporters to reduce the number of local pig farms and environmental pollution caused by them. Under the scheme, pig farmers are granted ex gratia payments or loans for surrendering their livestock licences or terminating their farm business. Pig transporters may apply for loans to convert their vehicles for other transport business. Operators have one year in which to decide whether or not they want to take part in the scheme. As at December 31, 2006, the Government had received 101 applications from pig farmers to join the scheme.

Fisheries Industry

Fresh fish is one of Hong Kong's most important primary products. In 2006, fish caught and fish reared in ponds and floating cages amounted to about 154 540 tonnes and 3 560 tonnes respectively. Their combined value was $1.7 billion.

The Hong Kong fishing fleet consists of some 3 940 vessels, manned by about 8 460 local fishermen and 3 100 Mainland deckhands. The predominant fishing method is trawling, which accounted for 84 per cent of fish caught, weighing about 129 980 tonnes. Other methods include lining, gill netting and purse-seining. The total catch weighed 154 540 tonnes and had an estimated wholesale value of $1.6 billion. The industry provided some 46 200 tonnes of fish for local consumption during the year.

Under licence issued by the AFCD, 1 081 mariculturists operate in 26 designated fish culture zones. They supplied the market with 1 490 tonnes of live marine fish valued at $89 million.

Freshwater and brackish water fish are reared in fish ponds, most of which are located in the northwestern part of the New Territories. With the increasing urbanisation of the New Territories, commercial production of pond fish has gradually declined. Pond fish culture yielded some 1 940 tonnes of fish, or 5 per cent of freshwater fish for local consumption in 2006.

The AFCD continued to pursue a number of fisheries management and conservation measures and stepped up action against destructive fishing practices to promote sustainable development of the fishing industry and to conserve fish resources in Hong Kong waters. During the year, artificial reefs made from demolished concrete piers were installed in the Tung Ping Chau Marine Park to boost fish resources there and to conserve the ecology of the Marine Park.