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About one million red tail prawn fry were released in Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park today (June 6) as part of a trial programme by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).

"The programme is to assess the suitability of adopting restocking as a marine conservation and fisheries enhancement measure," said AFCD Senior Fisheries Officer (Fisheries Management) Dr Leung Siu-fai.

"Crustaceans, mainly prawns, are the second most important fisheries resource in Hong Kong waters. We hope the trial will help restore and enhance prawn stocks.

"Artificially propagated fry from brood stocks caught in Hong Kong or adjacent waters are used to ensure genetic integrity and prevent the depletion of natural fry resources.

"The prawn fry have been released in Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park because the area provides a suitable muddy bottom habitat for the fry and adequate protection from trawling," said Dr Leung.

As a monitoring measure, AFCD staff will interview fishermen who operate in northwestern waters about their catches of the prawn species that was released today.

The trial release is synchronised with Guangdong's annual restocking programme. One million prawn fry were released by the Guangdong Provincial Bureau of Ocean and Fisheries today in the Chinese White Dolphin Nature Reserve adjacent to Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau.

"Various management measures have been pursued by the Hong Kong Government to conserve the marine environment and fisheries resources, and to promote sustainable fisheries. These include the artificial reefs programme and restocking of fish fry. Among these, restocking is one of the fisheries management measures most acceptable to fishermen," Dr Leung said.

End/Friday, June 6, 2003

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