Secondary school trainees take part in native fish types restocking activity (with pictures)
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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), together with secondary school instructors and trainees, agents from the Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium and the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong performed a restocking activity in Yan Chau Tong Marine Park (YCTMP) today (October 9), with a goal to bring back and boost marine resources in addition to raise trainees’ awareness of the preservation of water resources and the requirement to enhance marine environments, and to increase their understanding of the regional fisheries market.
Throughout the activity, individuals taken a trip by boat to the waters of the YCTMP. They launched over 11 000 juvenile fish of native types, consisting of Hong Kong grouper (Epinephelus akaara), star snapper (Lutjanus stellatus), black seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii), and yellow seabream (Acanthopagrus latus). The AFCD will perform undersea studies routinely, combined with using undersea video and eDNA methods, to keep track of the condition of the launched fish.
Restocking is a science-based technique that includes launching proper types into their natural surroundings, permitting them to grow and recreate. The YCTMP, with its varied environments consisting of synthetic reefs, coral neighborhoods and natural rocky reefs, is an ideal place for restocking. There is likewise a restriction on business fishing.
The Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries, launched by the Government in cooperation with the farming and fisheries sectors in December 2023, proposed the application of restocking to bring back and boost fisheries resources. Through these activities, the effort intends to reinforce public education, raise public awareness of the preservation of marine resources and environment, and promote understanding of the significance of restocking.
The AFCD advises the general public to work out mindful factor to consider before taking part in animal release activities to prevent impacting the environmental environment, and will offer technical suggestions to groups intrigued in carrying out restocking in regional waters.