LegCo Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene visits modern mariculture demonstration farm at Tung Lung Chau fish culture zone (with photos)

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene visited a modern mariculture demonstration farm established by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) at the Tung Lung Chau fish culture zone today (November 5) to gain a deeper understanding on the latest development of the local mariculture industry.
 
     Accompanied by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, Members received a briefing on the vessel by representatives of the AFCD on the steel truss cage farm design adopted at the demonstration farm. Members learnt that the design can withstand strong wind, waves and ocean currents, allowing the demonstration farm to operate in the open sea with better water exchange at a larger scale.
 
     Upon arrival, Members observed the actual operation of the demonstration farm. They noted that the demonstration farm is equipped with modernised technologies, such as real-time surveillance and water quality monitoring systems, an automated feeding system, a solar and wind power generation system, enabling it to increase production capacity. During the visit, Members also exchanged views with government officials on enhancing the effectiveness of marine fish culture and promoting the sustainable development of the mariculture industry. Members noted that the AFCD will collaborate with the Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium to launch an 18-month commercially operating aquaculture trial project to conduct trials with new aquaculture technologies and provide training for local fishermen at the demonstration farm.
 
     A total of 11 members and non-members of the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene participated in the visit.