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194 Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries

operation, the AFCD organised four free-of-charge training courses during the fishing moratorium in 2010.

The Committee on Sustainable Fisheries, which was established to advise the Government on the long-term goals, direction, and strategy for the sustainable development of Hong Kong's fisheries industry, submitted a report in 2010 for the Government's consideration. After thorough consideration of the committee's recommendations, the Government announced that a suite of fisheries management measures would be implemented, including banning trawling activities in Hong Kong waters. To address the impact of the measures on the livelihoods of trawler fishermen, the Government proposed to introduce a voluntary one-off buy-out scheme for affected trawlers.

Subject to meeting the eligibility criteria, the affected trawler fishermen should be paid ex-gratia allowance while affected local deckhands given one-off grants. The Government will also introduce a special training programme to equip the affected trawler fishermen and local deckhands with the skills and knowledge for switching to other sustainable modes of operation such as mariculture and recreational fishing. As part of the fisheries management measures, the AFCD will deploy some of the bought-out trawlers as artificial reefs, which are conducive to enhancing the rehabilitation of the fisheries resources, in Hong Kong waters.

The other fisheries management measures under consideration include: (1) restricting new entrants to the capture fisheries industry; (2) prohibiting fishing by non-local vessels in Hong Kong waters; (3) restricting fishing activities by non-fishing local vessels in Hong Kong waters; and (4) designating important fisheries spawning and nursery grounds in Hong Kong waters as fisheries protection areas.

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 the programme, 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. This voluntary scheme was set up 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. Ninety-seven farms have joined the scheme so far.

Together, they sold over 13 200 kilogrammes of the accredited fish, comprising pompano, grey mullets, green groupers, star snappers, skewband grunts, red

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