Enforcement against illegal fishing is set to be intensified.

Speaking in the Legislative Council this afternoon, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said the move will concentrate on blackspots in southern waters off Hong Kong and Lantau Islands where the majority of clam-dredging cases are reported.

Dr Yeoh said the move is necessary despite the number of reported destructive fishing cases staying low in recent years.

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department said it had instituted only 29 prosecutions for the offence since October 1998.

Among them, 22 involved the possession or use of dredging devices for fishing, six the use of suction devices and one concerned cyanide fishing.

Apart from five cases still pending court hearings, all offenders were convicted and sentenced to fines ranging from $300 to $3,000, and their illegal fishing gear was confiscated.

Dr Yeoh said the Fisheries Protection Ordinance regulates fishing practices and prevents activities detrimental to the fishing industry.

The relevant legislation was last amended in 1998 and 1999 to have its scope widened to prohibit the use of destructive fishing practices including electrofishing, clam-dredging and clam-suction.

The amended legislation has also increased the maximum fine for all offences from $10,000 to $200,000.

According to Dr Yeoh, the department has set up an enforcement team to patrol Hong Kong waters and on average, around 900 patrols are conducted each year.

Penalties for offences under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance are already set at a substantial level, he said.