The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has launched a comprehensive consultation exercise on a package of fisheries management proposals to promote sustainable development of the local fishing industry. It will run until March 6 next year.

The department said priority would be given to setting up a fishing licence system and designating two Fisheries Protection Areas, before considering an annual territory-wide closed season for fishing.

Assistant Director (Fisheries) Dr Leung Siu-fai said the proposals had been prompted by a continuous decline in fisheries resources in Hong Kong waters.

Fish fry production drops 90%

According to the "Consultancy Study on Fisheries Resources and Fishing Operations in Hong Kong Waters" completed in 1998, catches in most areas have fallen by more than 50% since the late 1980s, and fish fry production by 90%.

Individual surveys among local fishermen in recent years also pointed to the degradation of local fisheries production.

"Fish species of bigger size and higher commercial values such as groupers have become rare in local waters. They are increasingly replaced by smaller and less valuable species including scads and pony fish," Dr Leung said. 

"Unless effective action is taken to address the problem, local fishermen may be facing more difficult times ahead."

As a first step to alleviate the pressure on fisheries resources, the department has proposed a licensing system under which all fishing activities, except recreational fishing, with the use of any vessel in local waters will require a valid fishing licence.

Only local fishing vessel owners will be issued with licences, which are transferable and valid for two years.

The licensing system will bar non-local fishing vessels from access to Hong Kong's fisheries resources and enable the Government to collect important fisheries management data.

To help promote recovery of fish stocks, the department has proposed to designate Tolo Harbour and Porter Shelter as Fisheries Protection Areas. Covering a total sea area of 13,700 hectares, they are important fish spawning and nursery grounds.

Within the protection areas, any vessel carrying out fishing activities without a valid permit commits an offence.

Fishing permits will be issued only to fishing licencees who habitually fish in the protection areas. In addition, "no-take" zones will be established within the protection areas in which all fishing activities with the use of any vessel are prohibited.

The maximum penalties for conducting fishing activities without a fishing licence or permit are a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.

Annual "closed season" to be considered later

To further conserve fisheries resources, the department will explore the possibility of introducing an annual "closed season" for fishing, which has been implemented annually by the Mainland in the South China Sea in June and July, and many other countries including Australia, the US and Japan.

But Dr Leung stressed the proposal would only be implemented at a later stage as necessary, subject to full consultation with the fishing industry, the public and relevant parties, adding suitable assistance would be provided to local fishermen to minimise any adverse impact.

During the consultation, the department will seek views from local fishermen, related fisheries advisory bodies, academics, green groups, various District Councils, the Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene as well as the public.