Hong Kong's Agriculture and Fisheries Development: Government Commitment to Sustainable Growth

Strategic Insights -

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has reaffirmed its commitment to the sustainable development of agriculture and fisheries industries, a crucial sector for the territory's economic growth. A delegation led by Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Mr Zhang Zhili, accompanied by Secretary for Environment and Ecology Mr Tse Chin-wan, visited the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market to understand the production and wholesale of fisheries products and exchange views on development opportunities. The visit underscored the government's efforts to support the agriculture and fisheries industries through measures outlined in the Blueprint for Sustainable Development.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attaches great importance to the local agriculture and fisheries industries, with a focus on sustainable development that complements the national development direction.
  • The government will continue to implement measures to help fishermen/farmers switch to modernized and sustainable operation modes, attract young people to join the industry, and enhance the quality, quantity, and output value of local agricultural and fisheries products.
  • The Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai, introduced initiatives to support the development of the agriculture and fisheries industries, including deep-sea mariculture, the "Fish enJoy" Scheme, urban farming, and a multi-storey, modernized, and environmentally friendly pig farm.
  • The Fish Marketing Organization (FMO) provides services such as wholesale of chilled fish and live seafood, supply of clean seawater, and promotes local fisheries products, using all profits to support the development of local fisheries.
  • The FMO is a financially independent non-profit organization led by the Director of Marketing, with the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market being one of the busiest fish wholesale markets under the FMO.
  • In 2024, the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market handled approximately 4,970 tonnes of chilled marine fish and about 3,622 tonnes of live seafood, accounting for around 15% and nearly 50% of the FMO's total wholesale volume, respectively.
  • The visit highlighted the government's efforts to integrate the agriculture and fisheries industries into the development plan of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Statistics:

  • 4,970 tonnes of chilled marine fish were handled by the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market in 2024, accounting for approximately 15% of the FMO's total wholesale volume.
  • 3,622 tonnes of live seafood were handled by the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market in 2024, accounting for nearly 50% of the FMO's total wholesale volume.
  • The FMO provided services such as wholesale of chilled fish and live seafood, supply of clean seawater, and promoted local fisheries products.

Sources:

  • Press release from the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, dated October 21 (no publication date mentioned).
  • Marine Fish (Marketing) Ordinance (Cap. 291).
  • Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries.