The Fishing Industries Of Hong Kong

Author : Chi-Yeung Benjamin Kwong
Publisher : Open Dissertation Press
ISBN 13 : 9781374730205
Total Pages : 94 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (32 download)

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Download or read book FISHERY MGMT IN HONG KONG written by Chi-Yeung Benjamin Kwong and published by Open Dissertation Press. This book was released on 2017-01-27 with total page 94 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This dissertation, "Fishery Management in Hong Kong: Past and Present" by Chi-yeung, Benjamin, Kwong, 鄺智揚, was obtained from The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) and is being sold pursuant to Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation. All rights not granted by the above license are retained by the author. Abstract: ABSTRACT Fishing has long been an important industry and way of life for Hong Kong people, and was a major source of employment in the past. In the past few decades, Hong Kong's economy has developed rapidly but the fishing industry has been diminishing. However, the demand for fisheries product is still very high nowadays. It has been estimated that 46 kg of fisheries products per capita per year are consumed by Hong Kong people. Local fish stocks were probably healthy before the 1940's but with the rapid development of Hong Kong fisheries since the 1950's, marine resources have become over-exploited. This is similar to the trend for world fisheries. Many high-valued species have become rare in local waters. In this study, the status of fish stocks and the adequacy of fisheries management measures in Hong Kong were reviewed. It is concluded that non-regulated fishing, over-capitalization, development, pollution, reclamation, dredging and destructive fishing practices have all adversely affected the marine life of Hong Kong. Hong Kong's economy grew rapidly over the past few decades but environmental quality has been sacrificed for economic growth. The conservation of the marine environment is still a low priority. The total marine protected areas in 2003 is only 1.2% of Hong Kong waters, much lower than the proportion (20%) suggested by many studies and permitted fishing is still allowed in most of this area. Moreover, the power of the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171) has not been fully implemented by the government. Data on the fisheries resources of Hong Kong are inadequate and more catch and effort data, socio-economic data and basic biological information are needed for theplanning of more precise and suitable management measures. Therefore, stock assessments and habitat surveys of Hong Kong waters are highly recommended. Moreover, expansion of marine protection areas, implementation of a fisheries licensing system, prohibition of fishing at AR (Artificial Reef) deployment areas and in marine parks, restocking and more investment in conservation education are recommended to preserve our existing marine resources. DOI: 10.5353/th_b3025708 Subjects: Fisheries - China - Hong Kong Fishery management - China - Hong Kong