Chui: HK should promote sustainable fishery development

Editor's Note: Officials from the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR recently visited residents from various sectors, such as grassroots family, young entrepreneurs, fishermen and vendors, to listen to their concerns. These outreach activities triggered wide-ranging discussions among the society. Here is what people said.

Hong Kong mobile fishermen have always been operating in the South China Sea including Hong Kong waters. They are regulated by the authorities of Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland. As an important bridge between the central government and Hong Kong, the liaison office actually solved many problems for fishermen in the past. However, since the COVID-19 outbreak, it has become difficult for national and Guangdong provincial departments in charge of Hong Kong's mobile fishermen to meet with representatives of Hong Kong fishery to understand their situation. As the pandemic continues, the recent visit by liaison office director Luo Huining has really played an important role. It is believed that it will help solve backlogs and full implementation of Hong Kong fishery's sustainable development and assist fishermen to grasp opportunities brought about by the nation's 14th Five-Year Plan and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

During Luo's visit, some fishermen expressed their interest about deep-water mariculture in the open-sea and fishing in the waters outside the South China Sea. This has also caught Luo's attention. This gesture by him to listen to this group is definitely a sign of good governance. The fishermen are very grateful for the care they have received from the liaison office and hope to see more exchanges for the sake of development of fishery.

Former Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying once said, "There is much our agriculture and fishery industries can achieve provided they move towards high-tech, diversified and sustainable development." Deepwater mariculture in open-sea and offshore fishing industry do not necessarily conflict with land development. Because of political turbulence, the incumbent government might not have enough time to focus on the development of fishery. We hope that such visits will remind the government of the neglect the fishery development witnessed over the years.

Luo once mentioned said that Hong Kong's social problems "can be solved gradually by upholding the people-centered development philosophy". I think the SAR government should consider the issue comprehensively. Land development is definitely important, but don't forget that every group is affected by this. Only then can we unite the majority and properly solve our deep-seated problems and make Hong Kong a prosperous society.