A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (October 17) announced that marine fish culture licences for operation in Wong Chuk Kok Hoi and Mirs Bay fish culture zones are open for application from today.
The spokesman said, "The AFCD has commenced the two new fish culture zones in Wong Chuk Kok Hoi and Mirs Bay for operation. The two are located in open waters with better currents, which facilitate the adoption of modern aquaculture facilities and technology such as steel truss cages or HDPE (high-density polyethylene) gravity-type cages with strong wind and wave resistance, together with automated feeding and real-time monitoring systems. They also allow fishermen to operate aquaculture in an intensification mode. Their establishment promotes and assists fishermen in switching to a modernised and sustainable mode of operation, thus facilitating the sustainable development of the local fisheries industry."
The AFCD accepts applications for marine fish culture licences for operation in the two new fish culture zones from today to December 16. Applicants shall provide a detailed business plan, including an introduction to the proposed sustainable mariculture business, as well as explaining the kind of deep-sea cages to be used and the business itself, which should comply with relevant cage requirements as well as environmental protection and mitigation measures.
The spokesman noted that persons interested in operating in the above new fish culture zones may consider applying for marine fish culture licences through funding from the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund or through self-financing to develop mariculture businesses.
The AFCD designated Wong Chuk Kok Hoi, Mirs Bay, Outer Tap Mun and Po Toi (Southeast) as four new fish culture zones in December last year, covering a total area equivalent to three times that of the original fish culture zones. Among these, Wong Chuk Kok Hoi and Mirs Bay fish culture zones commenced first. The AFCD will review the operation in these two new fish culture zones to further improve the planning of the two new fish culture zones at Outer Tap Mun and Po Toi (Southeast), and to prepare for commencing these new fish culture zones in due course.
The AFCD will hold a briefing session on October 22 for interested parties to provide information on the application process and licensing requirements of marine fish culture licences for operation in the new fish culture zones. Details of application and the briefing are available on the AFCD website: www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_aqu/fish_aqu_mfco/newfczmfcl2024.html.
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