AFCD and HKFC Launch Aquaculture Trial Project for Sustainable Fisheries Development in Hong Kong.

AFCD and Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium sign MoU on launch of commercially operating aquaculture trial project at Tung Lung Chau modern mariculture demonstration farm

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today (August 26) with the Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium (HKFC) to launch a commercially operating aquaculture trial project at the modern mariculture demonstration farm at the Tung Lung Chau fish culture zone.

An AFCD spokesman said, "Developing deep sea mariculture is one of the key measures of the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries. To this end, the Department will launch a commercially operating aquaculture trial project at the Tung Lung Chau modern mariculture demonstration farm at the Tung Lung Chau fish culture zone. This project, which will operate on a commercialised, high value-added and sustainable aquaculture model, will use modern equipment, conduct trials with new aquaculture technologies, provide training for local fishermen, etc."

The 18-month commercially operating aquaculture trial project will be implemented by a suitable local aquaculture production unit commissioned by the HKFC. A local academic institution will be invited to act as the project consultant, which will be responsible for collecting aquaculture and economic data, as well as providing training for local fishermen and developing a standard operating manual. The HKFC will formulate a clear selection mechanism to ensure a fair, impartial and transparent selection process when commissioning the local aquaculture production unit.

Through a partnership, the AFCD will collaborate with the HKFC to foster industry development, enhance functions of fisheries organisations, share the benefits of intensification with fishermen and strengthen their role in the future of Hong Kong's fisheries development.

To guide the local mariculture industry to adopt modern and sustainable operation, the AFCD established a modern mariculture demonstration farm at the Tung Lung Chau fish culture zone in 2021. The demonstration farm has adopted a semi-submersible steel truss cage farm design that can withstand strong wind, waves and ocean currents and is durable. Equipped with modernised technology and management, such as a real-time surveillance system, a real-time water quality monitoring system, an automated feeding system, a solar and wind power generation system, the demonstration farm can operate in the open sea with better water exchange on a larger scale and increase production capacity.

AFCD and Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium sign MoU on launch of commercially operating aquaculture trial project at Tung Lung Chau modern mariculture demonstration farm Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD and Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium sign MoU on launch of commercially operating aquaculture trial project at Tung Lung Chau modern mariculture demonstration farm Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD and Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium sign MoU on launch of commercially operating aquaculture trial project at Tung Lung Chau modern mariculture demonstration farm Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by US for S after Fight Crime Committee meeting (with video)

Following is the remarks by the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, at a media session after the Fight Crime Committee meeting at the Central Government Offices this afternoon (September 13):

Reporter: Firstly, following up again on the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), is the Security Bureau aware of the reports of harassment and doxxing reported by the HKJA today? Can you provide any details, perhaps the state of these cases, whether they are being investigated or not? Second, will the Bureau itself take any action to assist the HKJA as there is concern that this incident would affect the perception of press freedom in Hong Kong? Lastly, again following up on the potential leakage of the Government database, there are some concerns from the HKJA that there was leakage in Government databases as three individuals received threatening messages after they were searched by the Customs. Does the Government have any comment on that?

Under Secretary for Security: First of all, I was just attending the meeting so I am not aware of it. I am not quite sure whether my fellow officers in the Security Bureau are aware of it, so at the moment I could not give you a definite answer. But in any event, Hong Kong is a place of rule of law. We condemn all sorts of actions that should be outlawed. Any individual should be free from threats, free from fear and free from harassment. If any individual, irrespective of who you are, if you are receiving such threat or harassment, please come out and report. As to the allegation by the HKJA about the leakage of data from Government database, first of all, I don't think there is any basis for that allegation. At the moment, we have not received any information that the database of any individual department is being compromised. As for freedom of the press, I would say that Hong Kong already has freedom of the press and we already enjoy freedom of the press. Anyone's freedom, not just about freedom of the press, but free from fear, freedom of expression, whatsoever, those rights should be respected and should not be compromised. If any of these individuals consider themselves under threat or being harassed, please come forward to report to us. We will take action accordingly.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

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