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Following is a question by the Hon James To and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, in the Legislative Council today (November 26):
Question:
Regarding the promotion of eco-tourism, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it knows the number of eco-tours with itineraries covering marine parks or marine reserves in the past three years;
(b) of the number of persons prosecuted for violating the Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation (Cap. 476 sub. leg. A) in each of the past three years, together with a breakdown of the offences charged against such persons;
(c) of the current number of staff employed to work in marine parks and marine reserves; whether the Government has reviewed if the manpower is adequate; if so, of the results of the review;
(d) as the Hong Kong Tourism Board organised with the industry an islands hopping tour and other eco-tourism activities in recent years, whether the Government has reviewed the effectiveness of such activities, and of the number of overseas visitors participating in such activities; and
(e) given that from 2004 to May this year, the Government provided training through the Skills Upgrading Scheme for some 360 tourist guides and staff of travel agencies to enhance their knowledge in guided nature eco-tours, whether the Government has ascertained if the training quota concerned can meet the demand and whether these people have taken up work as eco-tour guides upon completion of such training?
Reply:
President,
My reply to the five parts of the question is as follows:
(a) At present, there are 4 marine parks in Hong Kong, including (i) Yan Chau Tong Marine Park, (ii) Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park, (iii) Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park, and (iv) Tung Ping Chau Marine Park and a marine reserve. Over the past 3 years, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) organised 480 guided eco-tours in the marine parks. In addition, the number of activities related to eco-tours held by other organisations in the marine parks was around 950. Under the current policy, the AFCD does not accept the holding of eco-tour activities in the marine reserve.
(b) Over the past 3 years, 333 persons were prosecuted by the AFCD for committing offences in contravention of the Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation (Cap. 476A). Breakdown of the relevant offences are listed as follows:
Nov 2005 Nov 2006 Nov 2007
to to to
Oct 2006 Oct 2007 Oct 2008
¡@¡@¡@¡@¡@¡@¡@ (No of (No of (No of
persons persons persons
being being being
prosecuted) prosecuted) prosecuted)
Collecting or
injuring
marine life 4 8 22
Fishing 63 64 38
Littering 19 48 23
Anchoring outside
mooring sites 7 8 9
Operating water
scooters or
water-skiing 2 0 0
Operating remote-
controlled model
boats or aeroplanes 0 1 1
Swimming or carrying
out boating within a
marine reserve 0 14 1
Using fishing devices
with high voltage
electric charge for
the purpose of
stunning fish 0 1 0
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Total 95 144 94
(c) At present, 23 staff of the AFCD are responsible for patrol of marine parks and the marine reserve, as well as enforcement of the relevant legislation. The authority will make flexible use of existing resources to protect the marine parks and the marine reserve.
(d) The Tourism Commission, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and the travel industry, has already been actively making optimum use of existing resources to promote green tourism under the principles of nature conservation and sustainable development, so as to enable visitors to appreciate the unique natural scenery of Hong Kong.
The HKTB introduced the Nature Kaleidoscope Programme in September 2006, which included the Northeast New Territories Islands Hopping Tour (referred to as "islands hopping tour" in the question), as a pilot scheme to gauge market response in relation to green tourism, as well as to encourage the travel industry to organise similar activities. During the trial period from September 2006 to February 2007, a total of 472 visitors joined the Northeast New Territories Islands Hopping Tour. Over 70% of the respondents were satisfied with the tour and 96% of them indicated that they would recommend the tour to their families and friends. Given the positive feedback from visitors and the travel industry, the HKTB promoted the Northeast New Territories Islands Hopping Tour as a regular programme starting from September 2007. Apart from joining hands with the travel industry to enhance the tour route, the tour has been operated by the travel industry on a commercial basis from September to February each year.
(e) To enhance the travel industry's knowledge of eco-tourism, the Government has, since 2004, provided training courses on nature appreciation through the Skills Upgrading Scheme (SUS) for tourist guides and staff of travel agencies. So far, some 400 persons have completed such training.
As reflected by the training institutes, the quota of the training courses could meet the needs of the travel industry. The travel industry also considers that the training courses are conducive to enhancing industry members' knowledge of eco-tourism. The Tourism Industry Group of SUS is considering organising an advanced course on nature appreciation, including rock appreciation, so as to cope with the development of eco-tourism.
Ends/Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:01
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