The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department has prosecuted 333 people for violating the Marine Parks & Marine Reserves Regulation in the last three years.

Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau told legislators today their offences included collecting or injuring marine life, fishing, littering, anchoring outside mooring sites, operating jet-skis and remote-controlled model boats and aeroplanes, swimming or boating within a marine reserve, and using high-voltage electric-charged fishing devices.

Mr Yau said the department has organised 480 guided eco-tours in the marine parks in the past three years while there were about 950 related activities held by other organisations.

He noted the Tourism Commission, the Tourism Board and the travel industry have been actively making optimum use of existing resources to promote green tourism, including introducing the Northeast New Territories Islands Hopping Tour in September 2006.

During its trial period up to February last year, 472 visitors joined the tour and over 70% of the respondents were satisfied with 96% of them saying they would recommend it to their families and friends.

Given the positive feedback from visitors and the travel industry, the tour has been promoted as a regular programme since September last year, and is operated by the travel industry from September to February each year.

The Skills Upgrading Scheme's Tourism Industry Group is considering organising an advanced course on nature appreciation to cope with eco-tourism development.