service, supplying about 5.5 tonnes of organic vegetable daily.
AFCD also launched the Local Vegetable Farms Voluntary Registration Scheme in July 2006. As at December 31, 2014, a total of 1 927 vegetable farms had been registered. The department provided technical assistance and agricultural services to registered farmers to enhance their awareness of safe production, good farming techniques and produce quality.
To comply with environmental protection legislation, all livestock farms are required to be licensed and must install appropriate livestock waste treatment systems.
Sporadic outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and swine fever are kept under control by vaccination, and the department's veterinary services are equipped to investigate and combat all major animal diseases.
FISHERIES
Capture and aquaculture fisheries make an important contribution to Hong Kong by maintaining a steady supply of fresh fish to local consumers. The total capture fisheries and marine fish culture production is equivalent to about 28 per cent of seafood consumed in Hong Kong, while pond fish farmers produce about three per cent of the freshwater fish eaten.
Capture Fisheries: Hong Kong's fishing fleet comprises about 4 000 vessels, almost all are mechanised. About 33 per cent of the vessels are over 15 metres in length. They are mainly trawlers, liners and gill netters engaged in fishing mainly outside Hong Kong waters along the northern continental shelf of the South China Sea. The remaining 67 per cent of the vessels are mainly gill netters, liners, purse seiners and cage trappers operating mainly in the coastal waters around Hong Kong. In 2013, the estimated production was about 170 000 tonnes, valued at $2.3 billion. Major species of fish caught were hairtail, mackerel, scad, big-eye, pomfret and croaker.
Aquaculture Fisheries: Fish ponds in use total 1 150 hectares and are located mainly in the north-western New Territories. The majority of fish farms are engaged in carp polyculture (bighead carp, silver carp, common carp and grass carp) in combination with tilapia or grey mullet. Other cultured species include jade perch, seabreams and spotted scat. Total fish pond production in 2013 amounted to 2 187 tonnes, valued at $44 million.
About 990 licensees units are engaged in marine fish culture in the 26 fish culture zones designated under the Marine Fish Culture Ordinance. Common species cultured include green grouper, brown-spotted grouper, Russell's snapper, mangrove snapper, cobia and pompano. Total marine fish culture production in 2013 amounted to 1 005 tonnes, valued at $94 million.
Development and Services: To promote sustainable development of the fishing industry and to conserve fisheries resources in Hong Kong waters, AFCD continues to pursue a number of fisheries conservation and management measures. Apart from strengthening enforcement against destructive fishing practices, the department has deployed 668 units of artificial reefs with a total volume of 179 000 cubic metres in Hong Kong waters with a view to enhancing the fisheries resources. Results of underwater monitoring survey revealed that the deployed artificial reefs supported a higher diversity and abundance of fish species as compared with the nearby natural habitats. Over 220 species of fish, including many high-valued species such as groupers, breams, snappers and sweetlips, are using the reefs for feeding, shelter and as spawning and nursery areas. Besides, continuous emphasis is placed on assisting fishermen to switch to sustainable fisheries and other related operations through provision of technical advice, training, liaison services, grants and credit facilities. In 2013, AFCD organised fourteenfree-of-charge training courses for fishermen to enhance their knowledge of sustainable fisheries development and management, and provided training allowance to eligible participants.
To alleviate the manpower shortage of the fishing industry, the department continues to operate the Mainland Fishermen Deckhands Scheme to allow Mainland deckhands to enter Hong Kong to help fishing vessels operators to unload their catches at wholesale fish markets. In 2013, some 4 800 deckhand quota have been issued to about 860 vessel operators.
AFCD continues to implement the voluntary Accredited Fish Farm Scheme in a bid to enhance the environmental hygiene standards of local fish farms and the quality of cultured fish. Participating fish farms under the scheme are required to adopt a set of good aquaculture practices. Quality assurance tests including analyses of drug residues and heavy metals in fish are conducted to ensure that the cultured fish meet the food safety standards before marketing. The accredited fish are marked with specially designed fish tags under the 'Accredited Fish Farm Scheme' brand name to enable easy recognition by the public. In 2013, 112 fish farms have been accredited under the scheme. AFCD conducts aquaculture studies and provides technical services relating to the development of efficient fish culture methods and husbandry techniques. Following the introduction of jade perch for local culture, the department has successfully produced jade perch fry with a view to helping fish farmers secure a stable supply of fish fry at lower costs.
AFCD continues to promote the development of local fish hatchery and nursery. AFCD organises training programmes for fish farmers on various aspects of fish hatchery.
To assist fish farmers in preventing and managing fish diseases, AFCD has put in place a fish health management programme. Regular farm visits are conducted to facilitate early detection of disease outbreaks and to train fish farmers on disease prevention measures. The department also provides fish disease diagnosis and viral screening services.
'Good Aquaculture Practices Programme' aims to promote modern fish farm management. Under the programme, regular farm visits are arranged to collect water and fish samples for analysis. The department also introduces modern farm management techniques and practices to fish farmers via workshops and seminars. In 2013, 17 seminars were conducted.
AFCD continues to implement the red tide reporting network and the proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme with a view to providing early red tide warnings to mariculturists, thereby minimising the impact of red tides on mariculture. In 2013, eight red tide incidents were recorded in Hong Kong waters.
AFCD continues to administer various loan funds for fishermen and fish farmers for production and development purposes. In 2013, some 280 loans amounting to $88 million were provided. In January 2014, the Government also set up a fund to provide grants to help the local fishing community move towards sustainable or high value-added operations so that the trade can enhance its overall competitiveness and cope with new challenges.
The department administers the Fish Marketing Organization which is a non-government, non-profit-making corporation vested in the Director of Marketing (currently the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation) to provide orderly fish marketing services to both the fishermen and fish traders. The Organization currently runs seven wholesale fish markets in Cheung Sha Wan, Aberdeen, Castle Peak, Shau Kei Wan, Kwun
