ENG-2009 — Page 247

Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries 187

132 200 tonnes. Other methods include lining, gill netting and purse-seining. The total catch in 2009 weighed 159 000 tonnes and had an estimated wholesale value of $2.04 billion. The industry provided some 54 000 tonnes of fish for local consumption during the year.

Under licence issued by the AFCD, 1 043 mariculturists operate in 26 designated fish culture zones. They supplied the market with about 1 440 tonnes of live marine fish valued at $92 million in 2009.

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 2 105 tonnes of fish, or 4 per cent of local freshwater fish consumption in 2009.

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 2009, some 6 700 cubic metres of artificial reefs. were used to boost fish resources and to conserve the ecology of Hong Kong

waters.

In addition, the AFCD continued to assist fishermen to switch to sustainable modes of operation. Credit facilities were provided for fishermen to 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 authorities by providing them with technical support, liaison services and credit facilities.

A Committee on Sustainable Fisheries was established in late 2006 to advise the Government on the long-term goals, direction, and strategy for the sustainable development of Hong Kong's fisheries industry.

The AFCD conducts studies and provides technical services to fish farmers to strengthen the aquaculture industry's sustainability. The department continues to implement a fish health management programme to help fish farmers prevent, diagnose and contain fish disease to minimise loss.

The AFCD implements a 'Good Aquaculture Practices Programme' to enhance fish farm management. Under it, AFCD staff visit fish farms regularly to collect water and fish samples for analysis. Seminars are held for farmers to learn new techniques and good management practices. The department also continues searching for new fish species that have market potential to introduce to local fish farmers.

The AFCD's Accredited Fish Farm Scheme continues to work well. It is a voluntary scheme set up in 2005 to strengthen the aquaculture industry's competitiveness. Participants are required to adopt good practices to raise their farms' hygiene standards and fish quality. Tests, including analyses of drug residues and heavy metals in fish, are conducted to ensure the cultured fish are safe to eat before they are sold. Eighty-eight farms have joined the scheme so far.