-

Govt. sets to license fish farmers

The Young Reporter (1978, November 01), 11(03), pp. 4, 5.
Author: Cathy Yeung, Patrick Chan.
Permanent URL - https://sys01.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/bujspa/purl.php?&did=bujspa0012778

By CATHY YEUNG and PATRICK CHAN

HONGKONG’S fish farmers - the men grow salt-water fish in penned-off areas of seashore - have been complaining for many years about Government’s neglect.

Now the pioneers of this 15-year-old marine industry will have some response from the Government before the end of this year on some crucial issues concerning licensing and areas where they can operate.

“It appears to me that fish farming doesn't have a very bright future despite its short history,” said Leung Ngau, a fish farmer for 13 years who represents those in the business at Tsing Yi (North) .

“Government hasn’t paid much attention to our industry and we have been left to solve problems for ourselves,” he said.

The farmers fear being forced to move from their waterfront sites because of land developments; they fear storms such as typhoons and also water pollution caused by oil leakage.

As to land development, Leung said the coastal area of Tsing Yi where he is practising marine fish culture will be taken for reclamation in the near future.

Leung said he had seen officials from the Marine Department and Public Works Department making inspections of the area, but so far no orders have been issued about removing rafts.

Another development being planned is a power plant at Po Lo Tsui, Lamma Island.

Strongly opposed to the plant is Johnathan Gray, chairman of the Lamma Island Fishermen’s Recreation and Sports Association.

“The fuel they will use is bound to cause, pollution. By 1984, when the plant is in full operation, Lamma Island will be like Aplichau, an unsuitable place for marine animals,” Gray said.

Kwok Choy-dor, a fish farmer representative and member of the Rural Committee of Lamma Island (South), said fish farms run the risk of being disturbed by some selfish bypassers.

“Our loss is also great in summer when people come to the nearby areas for fishing. They use chemicals in water to paralyse the fish but they kill many of our fry as the water flows to our pens,” said Kwok.

Kwok also recalled the disastrous time in October 1973 and early this year when oil leakages polluted the area and totally destroyed all of his fish.

“Though I was compensated. I had to start everything all over again,” he said.

According to an official of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, proposals concerning the licensing of marine fish culture and allocating areas exclusively for the industry - to be made public soon - will help develop the industry.

He said the development is needed because fish supplies from fishing grounds near Hongkong is insufficient to meet local demands.

Both the fishermen and Johnathan Gray are in favour of the proposals.

“The licensing of the industry would make us feel more secure as the government is standing behind us and will give us a helping hand when in need,” Kwok said.

When asked if the licensing would have any effect on the market of deep-sea fisheries, Gray said they each has a completely different market.

“For the deep-sea fisheries, the fish caught is frozen immediately and sold to the government fish market. For the cultured fish, they are all sold to the sea-food restaurants like the floating restaurants in Aberdeen. Also, the cultured fish are all for local consumption while those caught in the deep sea are partly for export,” Gray explained.

At present, there are more than 40 districts where fish farms are located, giving a total quantity of fish stock under culture at 700 tons - an increase of 100 tons in two years. Among them, the largest farms are at Shatau- kok. Kat O, Taitauchar and Sokkwuwan.

Headlines