No more studies, no more consultations, and no more committees, but determined actions from the government! WWF today submitted the Save Our Seas petition signed by almost 60,000 people to the Chief Executive, demanding immediate actions on marine conservation. We also ask the Executive Council members to set eyes on the report by the Committee on Sustainable Fisheries, which should be submitted to the Hong Kong government later this year.
The Committee on Sustainable Fisheries, established in late 2006, is about to complete its 18-month study. It is going to submit a report with recommendations of the way forward to the government. WWF requests the Committee to consider the strong public opinion, and recommend the government to establish sustainable fishery practices and no-fishing marine parks to protect Hong Kong's badly degraded marine environment.
"In the past ten years, there has been too much talk, too many gestures, but no action from the policymakers to address the problems facing our marine environment. Fishermen suffer from fishing in an empty sea, marine life is disappearing from incessant exploitation, and Hong Kong people and their children will never get to see what we have here in the wonderful underwater natural world," said Mr. Markus Shaw, Chairman of WWF Hong Kong.
"Nobody is gaining here in this imbalance. However, the Government just turns a blind eye to the situation. This needs to be the year for change. In light of the forthcoming report, the Government has to roll out a roadmap with concrete actions in achieving sustainable fishery practices and effective marine conservation for Hong Kong." Mr. Shaw added.
In the past 10 years, a relevant bill on restricting unsustainable fishery practices has been tabled to the Legislative Council twice with no progress being made, while the issue has been scantly discussed at the Chamber floor due to its low priority in policy agendas. Hong Kong remains as one of the last places in Asia having no regulation on fishing activities, such as licensing and quota systems.
About 60,000 people have signed WWF's Save Our Seas petition letters since March 2008, making it the biggest ever environmental petition in Hong Kong. The public is apparently requesting no more delay. Today WWF delivered the signatures and our 'Save Our Seas' objectives to the Chief Executive and the Executive Council members.
Scientific research indicates that it takes about five years to see recovery of marine life after the recommended protective measures are in place. In order to create a win-win situation for all, we ask the Government to provide temporary relief to the fishermen affected and to help provide them with opportunities for alternative livelihoods. WWF is very willing to take part in this process.
The sea belongs to the fishing community as well as every one of us in Hong Kong and our future generations. This desperation from all ¡V fishermen, conservationists, speechless fish and the general public ¡V can readily be lifted by a motivated government making real actions.
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