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With a view to fully utilising the surplus carrying capacity, and at the same time encouraging advances in technology and best practices in the mariculture industry, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) plans to issue new marine fish culture licences in three fish culture zones, namely O Pui Tong, Wong Wan and Sham Wan. Applications will be invited from Wednesday (October 2) to December 31, 2013.
An AFCD spokesman said today (September 30) that on grounds of environmental impact, there has been a general moratorium since 1990 on the issue of new fish culture licences. However, the moratorium has been reviewed as recommended by the Committee on Sustainable Fisheries, and stakeholders were also consulted. The proposal to issue new licences was welcomed by most of the consulted parties with a view to promoting the sustainable development of the local fisheries industry.
The AFCD plans to issue new licences in the O Pui Tong, Wong Wan and Sham Wan fish culture zones, which have been identified to have surplus carrying capacity. Applicants will be required to provide business plans in support of their applications. The plans should show clearly how the proposed mariculture business could achieve sustainable use of the mariculture environment. Each successful applicant will be granted a licence for a farm size of not more than 300 square metres for a period of three years. Additional conditions may also be imposed on the new licences to ensure smooth and proper implementation of the scheme, and that the operation of the farm will be consistent with the intended purpose.
Applicants can submit their completed forms together with other required documents by post or in person to the Fisheries Enforcement and Special Projects Division, 8/F, AFCD, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, from October 2 to December 31, 2013.
Application forms and details are available at AFCD's website: www.afcd.gov.hk/english/permit/permit_fis/permit_fis.html or AFCD Headquarters and all Fisheries Offices. For enquiries, please call 2150 7108 during office hours.
Ends/Monday, September 30, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:00
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