Hong Kong – Joint operation against improper use of bright light for fishing and illegal fishing activities (with photos)
Joint operation against improper use of bright light for fishing and illegal fishing activities (with photos)
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The Marine Department (MD) together with the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) conducted a joint operation against the improper use of bright light for fishing and illegal fishing activities in the southern waters of Hong Kong last night (August 10).
During the operation, two vessels were inspected and they were suspected to have used bright light improperly for fishing, while no vessel was found to be engaged in illegal fishing. The MD will further investigate the cases and gather evidence for prosecution.
A spokesman for the MD reminded the public that under the Shipping and Port Control Regulations (Cap. 313A), vessels are allowed to use bright light for fishing in the areas where bright light fishing is permitted. However, the use of bright light on any vessel for the purpose of fishing or attracting fish in Hong Kong waters shall comply with the requirements of Cap. 313A and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) Regulation (Cap. 548F), i.e. a bright light shall be so constructed, shaded, installed and used that no light emitted from it shall be visible, whether directly or by reflection from any source other than sea surface, above a horizontal plane passing through the lowest edge of the light source. A person who contravenes the related legislation commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $5,000 upon conviction.
In addition, under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171), only a vessel registered under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance can be used for fishing in Hong Kong waters and only the fishing methods listed on its Certificate of Local Fishing Vessel Registration can be employed for fishing by the vessel. Any offender upon conviction is liable to a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for six months.
To ensure the order of marine traffic and navigation safety of vessels, in addition to daily patrols and enforcement actions in various districts of Hong Kong waters, the MD also maintains close co-operation with the HKPF and the AFCD from time to time to conduct target-based joint operations, including inspections of suspected improper use of bright light for fishing and illegal fishing activities. From January to July 2023, the MD conducted a total of 21 special operations in areas including the waters of southern Lantau Island, southern Lamma Island and east of Hong Kong. Sixteen fishing vessels were suspected of violating relevant marine legislation. The MD is now taking follow-up actions and will instigate prosecution against these fishing vessels.
The MD will continue to step up patrols to combat the improper use of bright light for fishing activities so as to ensure safe navigation. The department will also meet with local fishery organisations from time to time to distribute relevant publicity and education materials to the trade. Information on the proper use of bright light for fishing is available on the MD’s website: www.mardep.gov.hk/en/publication/materials/pdf/publf.pdf.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector in the country provides livelihood support to a total 28 million fishers. Out of these, 2.78 million fishers are full-time actively engaged in fisheries and fisheries related activities. State wise details of total number of people engaged in fisheries, aquaculture and its allied activities are at Annexure –I.
to (d): The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a flagship programme of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)- a scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector with a highest ever investment of Rs. 20,050 crore for a period of 5 years with effect from 2020-21 to 2024-25 in all the States/Union Territories. PMMSY inter-alia provides livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fisher’s families during the fishing ban/lean period under which Governmental financial assistance of Rs. 3000/- per annum is provided to each enrolled beneficiary along with beneficiary contribution of Rs. 1500/- annually. Further, such accumulated amount of Rs. 4500/- is disbursed to each enrolled beneficiary by the respective State/UT at the rate of Rs. 1500/- per month during the fishing ban/lean period for three months annually.
Besides, PMMSY, inter-alia, lays special focus on training, skill development, skill up- gradation and capacity building through trainings, awareness building programmes and exposure visits to stakeholders especially fishers, fish farmers, fish workers, fish vendors, entrepreneurs, officials, fisheries Cooperatives and members of Fish Farmer Producer Organizations. The Training, Awareness, Exposure and Capacity Building programmes are carried out through the National Fisheries Development Board, ICAR institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), other organisations and State/UT Fisheries Departments. In addition to these regular programmes, skill development programmes to traditional fishermen through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme approved by Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI) in respect of marine/ inland capture fisheries are also provided.
Annexure-I
Statement referred to in reply of Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No.2660 put in by Shri Ayodhya Rami Reddy Alla, Honourable Member of Parliament for answer on 25th March, 2022 regarding ‘Fishing communities’: State-wise details of total number of people engaged in fisheries, aquaculture and its allied activities
Sl. No.
Name of the States/ UTs
Number of people engaged in
fisheries, aquaculture and its allied activities
1
Andhra Pradesh
1,496,688
2
Arunachal Pradesh
24,015
3
Assam
2,524,106
4
Bihar
6,027,375
5
Chhattisgarh
220,355
6
Goa
10,545
7
Gujarat
558,691
8
Haryana
118,455
9
Himachal Pradesh
11,806
10
Jharkhand
140,897
11
Karnataka
974,277
12
Kerala
1,044,361
13
Madhya Pradesh
2,232,822
14
Maharashtra
1,518,228
15
Manipur
47,711
16
Meghalaya
16,567
17
Mizoram
6,289
18
Nagaland
7,958
19
Odisha
1,517,574
20
Punjab
7,591
21
Rajasthan
57,260
22
Sikkim
581
23
Tamil Nadu
1,283,751
24
Telangana
862,221
25
Tripura
7,761
26
Uttarakhand
8,352
27
Uttar Pradesh
3,900,005
28
West Bengal
3,236,261
29
A and N Islands
25,941
30
Chandigarh
524
31
Daman & Diu and Dadra
Nagar Haveli
40,016
32
Delhi
3,346
33
Jammu & Kashmir
17,396
34
Ladakh
22
35
Lakshadweep
6,518
36
Puducherry
107,272
All India total
28,063,538
This information was given by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
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MV/MG
Fishing communities
(Release ID: 1809736)
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