The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department announced today an ex-gratia payment will be granted to fishermen affected by the commercial fishing ban and that registration for the allowance will start on June 18.

Under the new fisheries management strategy in marine parks, commercial fishing by local fishing vessels registered under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance will be banned in the Hoi Ha Wan, Yan Chau Tong, Tung Ping Chau and Sha Chau & Lung Kwu Chau marine parks.

A transitional period of two years will be provided under the commercial fishing ban for fishermen to adapt.

The department has not granted new fishing permits for the four marine parks since April 1. Existing fishing permits will not be renewed with validity periods beyond March 31, 2022.

Affected fishermen permit holders are invited to register for an ex-gratia allowance from June 18 to July 31. Applicants must hold a fisherman fishing permit for the specified marine parks which must remain valid on or after April 1 this year.

They will be notified on the assigned registration session individually by registered mail.

Click here for details.