Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ1: Massive fish kills incidents
Following is a question by the Hon Steven Ho and a reply by the Secretary for
Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, in the Legislative Council today (February 3):
Question:
At the end of December last year, massive fish kills occurred in Yim Tin Tsai
fish culture zone (FCZ) near Sam Mun Tsai in Tai Po. Earlier this year, similar
incidents also occurred successively in Sham Wan, Lo Fu Wat, Yung Shue Au and
Yim Tin Tsai East FCZs. Some fish farmers have relayed to me that massive fish
kills have not only caused heavy losses to them and dealt a blow to the
development of the mariculture industry, but also affected the local ecological
environment. Those fish farmers have pointed out that while the authorities
considered that red tides were the possible cause of the fish kills, the
authorities did not give warnings to the fish farmers beforehand, rendering them
unable to tow their rafts away from the waters concerned in time. Those fish
farmers have also pointed out that under the Emergency Relief Fund, the maximum
amount of grants offered to those affected fish farmers who have not taken out
relevant insurance policies is only $6,700 at present, which is insufficient to
assist the fish farmers in resuming their business. Regarding the assistance
provided for fish farmers affected by natural disasters, will the Government
inform this Council:
(1) how the authorities will strengthen the work of monitoring the water quality
of FCZs, and improve the mechanism for forecasting and monitoring red tides, so
as to avoid recurrence of fish kills;
(2) whether the authorities have assessed the effectiveness of the measures
taken by the government departments concerned for handling the aftermath of the
fish kills, including measures to render immediate support to fish farmers and
help them clear up the fish carcasses, etc.; if they have assessed, of the
outcome; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) whether the authorities will formulate an all-round "natural disaster
protection mechanism" for fish farmers which may include: setting up a business
resumption fund the grant level of which is higher than that of the Emergency
Relief Fund, forming a standing inter-departmental response team to handle fish
kills, and drawing up contingency plans and specific guidelines for the
prevention and handling of natural disasters; if they will, of the details; if
not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Red tide is a natural phenomenon. Even with present-day technology, there is no
measure to prevent the occurrence or spread of red tides. As such, stepping up
surveillance for early detection of red tides and timely issue of warnings
remain the most practicable management method. In 1999, the Government
established the red tide/harmful algal bloom (HAB) management framework and
implemented various action plans to enhance the management of red tides/HABs.
This inter-departmental mechanism aims at co-ordinating the work of various
departments in monitoring and responding to red tides/HABs and the associated
fish death incidents. Under the phytoplankton monitoring programme, the
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has over the years
been collecting samples in different areas of Hong Kong waters on a weekly basis
to analyse the planktonic algae in water. More than 3 000 marine water samples
are tested each year. Moreover, AFCD have put in place 24-hour real-time
monitoring of water quality in the waters of six fish culture zones (FCZs).
Should any abnormal increase in the quantity of phytoplankton or any
irregularities in the water quality be detected, AFCD will collect more samples
for testing and issue timely warnings to mariculturists.
When red tides and massive death of cultured fish are observed in FCZs, AFCD
will co-ordinate contingency measures with the departments concerned (including
the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the Marine Department (MD) and
the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)). The measures include,
where necessary, helping mariculturists to temporarily move their rafts away
from the FCZs affected by red tides, clearing the dead fish, providing financial
assistance to affected mariculturists, etc. to minimise the impact of red tides
on the industry.
My reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:
(1) In its routine surveillance, AFCD noticed an increase in the quantity of
Karenia mikimotoi in the water body of Yim Tin Tsai FCZ. On December 14 and 22,
2015, AFCD had accordingly sent SMS messages to mariculturists in the FCZs at
Yim Tin Tsai, Lo Fu Wat, Yung Shue Au and Yim Tin Tsai (East) alerting them of
the presence of algae which might be harmful to fish in nearby waters. According
to some international literature, Karenia mikimotoi may produce toxins
irritating the gill tissues of fish and affecting their breathing system.
Upon receiving the first report on massive death of cultured fish in Yim Tin
Tsai FCZ on December 23 last year, AFCD immediately liaised with EPD to step up
monitoring of the water quality in that FCZ and the waters nearby and collect
water samples for testing. AFCD has since been keeping a close watch on the
situation of the mariculturists in the FCZ. Based on the information available,
AFCD believes that the red tides observed in the waters of Tolo Harbour and Long
Harbour and the algal species involved are very likely to be the main factor
causing the death of cultured fish in several FCZs. While enhancing the
surveillance of the water quality and the presence of planktonic algae, AFCD has
at the same time extended the daily surveillance and collection of samples to
cover all 26 FCZs in the territory since January 5 this year.
De
In the past few weeks, red tides formed mainly by Karenia mikimotoi have
persisted in the waters of Tolo Harbour to Long Harbour. Meanwhile, reports on
the death of cultured fish have been received by AFCD from the nearby FCZs
including those at Sham Wan, Lo Fu Wat, Yung Shue Au, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Kau
Lau Wan, Tap Mun, O Pui Tong and Wong Wan. AFCD sent SMS messages to
mariculturists in the FCZs at Tap Mun and Kau Lau Wan on January 5, 15 and 17
this year respectively, alerting them of the formation of red tides which might
affect the areas concerned and advising those not yet affected to consider
harvesting their stock early to minimise risks. Apart from giving the above
notifications, AFCD also sent SMS messages to mariculturists in other FCZs on a
number of occasions to inform them of the development of red tides and remind
them to take preventive measures.
(2) Upon receiving the first report on massive death of cultured fish in Yim Tin
Tsai FCZ on December 23 last year, AFCD immediately liaised with MD and FEHD to
help the mariculturists in the FCZ to clear the dead fish on the same day.
Thereafter it also helped those in other FCZs affected in clearing the dead
fish. A total of approximately 36 tonnes of dead fish have since been disposed
of through the co-ordination of the relevant government departments.
In addition, the Government is providing the mariculturists concerned with
grants from the Emergency Relief Fund for immediate economic relief. So far,
around 220 mariculturists have registered and payments have been made to about
120 of them.
(3) Grants from the Emergency Relief Fund are used to provide prompt assistance
for persons who are in need of relief as a result of fire, flooding, tempest,
typhoon or other natural disasters. The grants are intended for relief and are
not meant for compensation.
Furthermore, if the mariculturists are in need of capital to re-establish their
business, they may apply to AFCD for low-interest loans from the Kadoorie
Agricultural Aid Loan Fund. The fund is intended to provide grants to individual
farmers, pond fish farmers and mariculturists for development and general
operating purposes, including the purchase of fry and feed and improvement to
farm facilities.
The relevant government departments will continue to closely monitor the
development of the red tides and endeavour to provide suitable assistance to
affected mariculturists. After the current red tide incident is over, the
Government will review whether similar incidents could be better handled in
future with a view to minimising the impact of red tides on the industry.
Thank you, President.
Ends/Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:56
NNNN