The aim of the group is to discuss and raise awareness of marine conservation issues in Hong Kong, aimed at anyone interested in Marine life and marine conservation in Hong Kong.

The gathering is at HKU, Pokfulam and starts at 6:30pm and will finish at 8:00pm

The topics for this first gathering are:

1. Developing Sustainable Fisheries:  where have we got to, what still needs to be done.  By Dr Andy Cornish
2. The making of the Hong Kong Reef Fish Guide by Dr. Allen To and Mr. Stan Shea

Leaflet from the talk below.  Hope to see you there.

The post Hong Kong Talk Ocean : First Gathering appeared first on Living Seas Hong Kong.

The trawling ban in Hong Kong’s water comes into effect on the 31st Dec 2013.  As a reminder this means that all forms of trawling (pair, stern, shrimp, hang and silver shrimp trawling) will be banned.

這項由香港特區政府訂立的法例，目的是拯救長期陷於困境的本港漁業。近年來香港的捕魚業不斷萎縮，漁民人數從1970年的50,000人銳減至目前大約7,600人。

The ban has been introduced by the Hong Kong SAR government in an attempt to rescue the long suffering fishing industry.  Fishing in Hong Kong has seen rapid declines, the number of fishermen earning a living fishing in Hong Kong has gone from 50,000 in 1970 to around 7,600 now.

我們期望，隨着法例實施，本港水域的海洋生物資源將得以恢復增長。不過，仍須設立更多的海洋保護區(區內完全禁止任何形式的捕撈活動)，同時還須加強有關法例的執法。

We can expect that fishing stocks can start to recover, however additional protected areas are needed (where no fishing or extraction of any kind is permitted) and the ban needs to be properly policed.

如任何人士發現有拖網魚船進行作業，請撥1823香港政府熱線報告。可能的話，請拍下有關魚船及其船舶登記編號的照片備案。

If anyone see a trawler operating, they should call the Hong Kong government hotline on 1823. If possible take a photograph of the boat and any boat registration number.

The post 禁止拖網捕魚的法例於2012年12月31日正式生效 Trawling ban to start on 31st Dec appeared first on Living Seas Hong Kong.

Janis Searles Jones, vice president of the Ocean Conservancy, said in the article “she also hopes the move will serve as a model for other policies.”

Living Seas Hong Kong hopes that an approach such as this would be taken in Hong Kong. Conservation of resources has to come first, NOT exploit and hope or pray that everything will be okay.

The post Commercial Fishing Is Barred in Parts of Arctic appeared first on Living Seas Hong Kong.

The report stresses that figure of US$50 billion represents a conservative estimate – it excludes losses to recreational fisheries and marine tourism as well as losses due to illegal fishing.”

The article also points out the growing usage of “right based fisheries” aimed to provide incentives for responsible and sustainable stewardship.

The full SCMP article can be found click HERE

The report from the United Nations FAO can be found click HERE

An interesting article on the Rights Based Fisheries can also be found click HERE, at a simple level the concept is that rights are given to fish certain areas, the rights to fish an area are transferable and therefore there is an inherent incentive to ensure that that particular area is sustainably managed.

So a simple question would be about what this means for Hong Kong fisheries.  Could we setup areas where the rights to fish areas are given to fisheries co-operative groups to actively manage these areas…?

The post UN report on fisheries cost and the growing trend of “rights based management” of fisheries appeared first on Living Seas Hong Kong.

根據英國廣播公司報導，歐盟宣佈全面檢討區內的共同漁業政策。

The article talks about the failure of the Common Fisheries policy to protect fish stocks.  Major interesting points discussed are :

文章提及歐盟現行的漁業政策未能有效保護區內的漁業資源。其重要論點如下：

1. Many fishermen are flouting the rules penalising those that follow regulations.
2. Too many fishermen chasing too many fish.  Aim is to reduce the number of fisherman and the amount of time that they are allowed at sea.
3. Ecological sustainability needs to take precedence over economic or social factors.
4. Just because a community has traditionally fished does not mean that they should necessarily be allowed to continue.
5. Even with superior technology the global fish catch has reduced by 13% between 1994 and 2003.

1. 不少漁民藐視那些懲罰守法者的法例。
2. 太多漁民追捕太多魚。目標是減少漁民數目以及他們出海的時間。
3. 應優先考慮生態可持續性而非經濟或社會因素。
4. 不能僅因為某個社區傳統上以捕魚為生而必須讓他們繼續下去。
5. 即使有優良的技術協助，1994至2003年間全球的魚獲量仍下跌了13%

Full article can be found 文章的全文可  Click HERE  點擊此處閱覽

The post European Union to revamp fisheries policy appeared first on Living Seas Hong Kong.

Articles have appeared in the South China Morning Post on Thursday 4^th September with regards to the imminent release of initial proposals from the “Committee on sustainable fisheries” .. this is a group which was

“set up in December 2006 to study the long term goals and directions as well as feasible options and implementation strategy for the sustainable development of fisheries industry, with regard to fisheries trends, ecological sustainability, economic viability and other relevant factors, such as financial implications and social impact. The Department chairs and services the Committee. Initial discussions were held during the report period. The Committee is expected to deliver a report in the latter half of 2008″  Source:  AFCD

The broad outline of the articles point out the initial proposals from the Committee which includes:

1. The need for sustainable levels of fishing which is stated as 30% overfished.Â
2. Banning of all trawling in Hong Kong through buying out of trawl fishermen.
3. Providing re-education and alternative employment opportunities for affected fishing folk.
4. Setup of fisheries protection areas and no-take zones.

Living Seas Hong Kong, as well as other Green groups will attend a detailed presentation and consultation on the 12^th September.  The proposals look promising and we will report further on the details and our thoughts, very soon. Â

Please come back and watch http://www.livingseas.hk for the details to come.

The SCMP article can be found Click HERE

The post Sustainable fisheries proposals release by the press appeared first on Living Seas Hong Kong.

The zone was set up in 2003 and is being monitored by a team of professional scientists who, over a five-year study period, are looking into the effects of the zone on the habitats and species it is designed to protect.  The no-take zone is small covering a total area of 4 km²  (Note: Hong Kong’s only no-take marine reserve is 20 hectares or 0.07km²)

The latest results show that there has been a significant increase in populations of lobsters and crabs and that increasing number of juveniles are seen outside the protected area.  It is envisaged that in a year or two these will be of harvestable size for the local fishermen.

BBC audio report can be found by clicking on the following:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7509000/7509529.stm

Ban boosts Lundy sea species
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7509765.stm

The post UK: Lundy island – Do fishing no-take zones work? appeared first on Living Seas Hong Kong.

“The recent capture, eventual release and subsequent death of a rare whale shark in Hong Kong waters has caused widespread consternation, particularly among the diving community, and a flurry of letters to the South China Morning Post.  However the government has remained tight-lipped on the topic clearly hoping the fuss will die down.

I would like to invite a representative from the government to address the issues raised.  The public wants reassurance that rare and endangered fish like the whale shark will be protected from being killed in the future, so that such a tragedy will not happen again.

Whale sharks pass Hong Kong every year and deserve full protection should they venture into our waters.”

Do you want the fuss to die down…?  We DO not.

This cause needs your support.  Write letters to the Chief Executive, to your local district councillors, phone into radio shows, talk to the media.  Do whatever you think is necessary but lets do it now before we have another tragedy on our hands.

The post WWF letter in the SCMP re:whale shark appeared first on Living Seas Hong Kong.

Ocean is one of our most important resources. Not only does it provide us with a multi-purpose venue for leisure, it also provides us with fresh fish and seafood every day. It indeed is closely related to our daily life. In the past, we could find Chinese Bahaba, hammerhead sharks and rays within the sea of Hong Kong and the living fossil, horseshoe crabs, could also be spotted on the seashores. However, they seem to have completely disappeared from Hong Kong recently, even some common edible fish are becoming less and less in number.

As an international city, Hong Kong is very advanced in terms of commerce and technology, but it falls behind other countries when we talk about marine protection. It is recommended that each country should have at least 20% of its water as protected area. However, only less than 2% of Hong Kong water is being protected. Having noticed such problem, our society decided to hold a marine forum to look for and discuss solutions for the current situation. You are definitely most welcome to come join us! Details of the forum are as follows:

Marine Forum – How to Balance Between Marine Conservation and Development?

Date: 22/4/2008
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Venue: Haking Wong Podium

Guests:  Prof. Yvonne Sadovy (Professor of Division of Ecology and Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong)
Mr. Markus Shaw (Chairman of WWF(HK))
Mr. Fred Li Wah Ming, J.P. (Legislative Councilor & Members of the Committee on Sustainable Fisheries)
Mr. Keung Yin Man, J.P. (Chairman of the Hong Kong Fishery Alliance)

 Apart from that, to show support to the “SOS – Save Our Seas Campaign” organized by WWF HK, we are now organizing a petition to urge the government to reinforce the protection on Hong Kong marine resources and to deal with the problem of overfishing. The details of the counter for signature collection are as follows:

Date: 14/4/2008 – 18/4/2008

Venue: Sun Yat-Sen Place next to the entrance of the New Wing of the Main Library

Please don’t hesitate to join the forum and voice out your idea!

You have your say!
Contact Persons: Calton(91358032) / Edward(95564774)

The post HKU Marine Forum – Have your say appeared first on Living Seas Hong Kong.

This network will link into the European “Special Areas of Conservation” and “Special Areas or Protection”.  The two existing Marine Reserves in the UK (Lundy and Skomer) will be converted in MCZ’s.

Some of the key areas of the legislation include

1. The setup of a Marine Management Organisation which will be a centre of expertise in marine management and will deliver on the objectives of the bill.
2. Marine Planning.  Strategic marine planning with the aim of clarifying marine objectives and priorities.
3. Marine Licensing.  Provide the vital link between planning and enforcement.
4. Marine Nature Conservation.  Introduction of new tools for conservation.
5. Fisheries Management and marin enforcement.  Strengthen fisheries and environment management.
6. Environmental Data and information.  Provision of sound evidence for making informed policy and management decision.

I wonder whether the  UK Marine Bill can be  adapted to local requirements to fill in the obvious gaps in the protection and management of Hong Kong’s fisheries and in the conservation of marine habitates and species.  Thoughts or comments welcome…?

More details on the UK Marine Bill can be found at the following website.

>http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2008/marine-0403.htm Â

The post UK Marine Bill offers new protection appeared first on Living Seas Hong Kong.