SEE and LegCo Members visit Tung Lung Chau mariculture demonstration farm (with photos)
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Promoting the development of deep sea mariculture is one of the key initiatives of the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries. Four new fish culture zones located at Wong Chuk Kok Hoi, Mirs Bay, Outer Tap Mun and Po Toi (Southeast) respectively will come into operation in phases, covering a total of about 590 hectares of sea area, more than doubling the area of the fish culture zones. The marine fish culture licences for Wong Chuk Kok Hoi and Mirs Bay fish culture zones have been open for applications since October. It is expected that the first batch of new marine fish culture licences will be issued in the first quarter of 2025 at the earliest.
Mr Tse said the AFCD will set up five sets of modern deep sea cages in phases for rental to fisheries associations/organisations starting from next year, so as to reduce the fishermen's start-up costs and assist the industry to develop modern deep sea mariculture with intensification of production. The Government will also provide financial and technical support to eligible persons in need through the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund.
The AFCD set up the modern mariculture demonstration farm at Tung Lung Chau in 2021 to facilitate the industry to switch to deep sea mariculture. The demonstration farm has adopted semi-submersible steel truss cage farm design, which can withstand strong winds, waves and ocean currents. It is also equipped with modern mariculture technologies, such as a real-time water quality monitoring system, an automated feeding system, and a solar and wind power generation system.
The Acting Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food), Ms Ivy Law, and the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai, also attended the visit.
Ends/Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Issued at HKT 20:18
Issued at HKT 20:18
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