ENG-2007 — Page 235

Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries ■ 187

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 one-year 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 for surrendering their livestock licences and terminating their farm business. Pig transporters may apply for loans to convert their vehicles for other transport business. The scheme was closed for application on 31 May 2007. A total of 222 pig farmers joined the scheme. When all their farms cease operation, the total licensed rearing capacity of local pig farms will drop to 75 000 heads, a fall of about 82 per cent.

Fisheries Industry

Fresh fish is one of Hong Kong's most important primary products. In 2007, fish caught and fish reared in ponds and floating cages at sea amounted to about 154 150 tonnes and 3 660 tonnes respectively. Their combined value was $1.66 billion.

The Hong Kong fishing fleet consists of some 4 010 vessels, manned by about 8 450 local fishermen and 4 800 Mainland deckhands. The predominant fishing method is trawling, which accounted for 81 per cent of fish caught, weighing about 125 170 tonnes. Other methods include lining, gill netting and purse-seining. The total catch weighed 154 150 tonnes and had an estimated wholesale value of $1.5 billion. The industry provided some 40 748 tonnes of fish for local consumption during the year.

Under licence issued by the AFCD, 1 072 mariculturists operate in 26 designated fish culture zones. They supplied the market with 1 530 tonnes of live marine fish valued at $99 million in 2007.

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 1 930 tonnes of fish, or 5 per cent of freshwater fish for local consumption in 2007.

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. In 2006-07, 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.

In addition, the department continued to assist fishermen to switch to sustainable modes of operation. Credit facilities were provided to fishermen to help them switch to sustainable fisheries, or related operations and for fish farmers to develop their aquaculture business. The department also helped fishermen cope with the annual fishing moratorium in the South China Sea imposed by the Mainland