A licensing scheme to govern the hygiene conditions and operations of wholesale fish stalls is being planned, Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Eddy Chan says.

Addressing legislators today, Mr Chan said under the new proposal fish wholesalers will be required to install sanitary fitments, drainage and disinfection facilities according to Government standards.

He said in the wake of the recent discovery of vibrio cholerae in two retail fish stalls, the Government has revisited its surveillance programme and control measures in relation to quality control of fishtank water.

Inspection of live fish wholesale outlets has been stepped up and water samples are taken for laboratory tests from individual stalls.

He stressed that once the presence of highly infectious cholera bacteria is detected, the premises concerned will be closed and the operator will be prosecuted.

Mr Chan said in the longer term, the Government will review the adequacy of the existing legislative framework and regulatory measures with respect to surveillance, examination and sampling of seafood.

In the review process, expert opinions will be sought from local healthcare and veterinary professionals and draw on international best practices.

Responding to a legislator's suggestion to list out areas which are not suitable for taking seawater, Mr Chan said it is not feasible as water quality in a particular area will change.

Surveillance at the retail and wholesale ends is more cost effective in protecting public health, he added.

Regarding public concerns over hygiene, food safety and venue management problems associated with live fish wholesalers selling outside the Wholesale Fish Market in Aberdeen, Mr Chan said the Government has set up an interdepartmental working group to study the problem. It is hoped the group will work out an effective solution.