Donald Tsang, the Hong Kong Chief Executive, announced in his policy address for 2009-2010 the plan to ban commercial fishing in Hong Kong's four marine parks.  This slightly reworded announcement was a repeat of his policy address for the previous year.


As we have previously reported, the proposed legislative change has been discussed in the January 2009 meeting of the Legco Panel on Environmental Affairs.  The Panel met again on the 23rd November 2009, the background briefing papers can be found HERE 


The ban will help to revitalise the marine environment in the parks and will help increase fish populations in the marine park area, eventually fish populations will increase in surrounding areas as well.  The proposal needs to include increase policing to stop illegal fishing activities in these areas.


Under the latest proposals the fishermen with "bone fide" fishing licenses will be paid an Ex Gratis Allowance equivilent to seven years catch.   This seems to be fair and in our opinion is a generous compensation to fishermen, afterall they will still be able to fish.


Unfortunately the legislators still seem to have the idea that efforts to revitalise the marine environment is detrimental to the fishermens livelihood.  We beg to disagree.    Continuing to extract fisheries resources in the current manner is killing the industry and ensuring the death of the long standing fishing community in Hong Kong.


Living Seas Hong Kong has long campaigned for an expansion of the existing marine parks as well as the setting up of extensive areas of completely protected marine reserves.  Banning commercial fishing is only the first tiny step towards this goal.