The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department will strengthen Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market's management control to combat the illegal landing of freshwater fish there.

Starting from May 15, all visitors and vehicles will be required to register with the management staff before entering the market and more security staff will be in place to enforce the registration rules.

Assistant Director of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Dr Liu Kwei Kin said the department has the responsibility to maintain proper control of the market and protect legitimate trading to help ensure that imported food is accompanied by proper documentations where appropriate.

He said the department has been discussing the issue with the tenants and they agreed it is necessary to strengthen the market's management control.

Having considered their views and set out priorities, the department will implement the new measures at the Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market first, he added.

According to the market's rental agreement, all tenants must abide by the department's "Administrative Rules for Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market", which forms part of their tenancy agreement.

It governs the entry to and conduct of business at the market:

Strengthened measures

* Only market tenants, their authorised employees or legal representatives should conduct business at the market;

* Only peoplewith a true interest in the business of the market are allowed to enter the market; and

* The department may introduce a registration scheme for people intending to purchase fresh food in the market and that only registered persons may be allowed to enter the market.

He said the department will hire additional security staff to help market traders comply with the enhanced security-control measures.