Pilot Scheme for Scientific Release and Breeding of Fish Fry in Hong Kong for Stock Enhancement*

This project aims to enhance the marine environment and fishery resources in Hong Kong waters. Due to the excellent results from the previously implemented pilot fish fry release program by the Hong Kong Airport Authority, the institution hopes to learn from this initiative by breeding and raising fish fry in local aquaculture areas. Once the fish fry is grown into juvenile fish, they will be released into Hong Kong’s waters to increase fish populations and enrich fishery resources.

Seabed Restoration Plan for Aquaculture Areas*

The project aims to improve the marine environment around fish farming areas. The project team proposes to increase oxygen supply at the interface between the water column and the seabed, particularly in areas where waste accumulation is most severe, to accelerate the natural decomposition process. Given that nanobubble technology is increasingly applied worldwide but has not yet been used in Hong Kong’s fish farms. In this project, the team will apply and evaluate such technology to restore the sediment layers beneath Hong Kong’s marine fish farms so as to determine whether such technology can be used by existing fish farms in Hong Kong to restore the seabed successfully. The goal of the project is to improve water quality and reduce exposure to pathogens associated with sediment under fish cages. This system will be applicable to all marine aquaculture farms where fallowing is not feasible, especially fish farms that have experienced disease outbreaks and reduced dissolved oxygen levels.

Survey Program for the Production of Fishing Vessels in Hong Kong Waters

There is a lack of accurate data on the production of local fishing vessels in Hong Kong. The amount of production has not been documented in writing and rely solely on the memories of fishermen. As a result, there are no precise figures for the production data. It is essential for the industry to comprehensively and accurately record the production activities of each fishing operation. By obtaining precise and reliable data, stakeholders — including the industry, fishermen, society, and relevant government departments — can gain a clearer understanding of the actual situation.

Aquaculture Community Outreach and Promotion Program – The Aquaculture

The sustainable development of the fisheries industry not only requires identifying sustainable production models but also heavily depends on introducing relevant fisheries education programs during the learning phase to cultivate future talent. Therefore, this project aims to integrate pearl farming into school education, inspiring participants or students to learn about fisheries through courses and guided tours, sparking interest, and even encouraging young people to consider entrepreneurship or employment in the field, thereby bringing more potential talent into the industry. At the same time, the project will promote awareness of the fisheries industry through community-sharing sessions, allowing more people to understand the sector and become a vital new force for the sustainable development of fisheries.

Pilot Project of Cultivating Tomato Hind (Cephalopholis sonnerati)

This is a pilot project to explore the feasibility of cultivating Tomato Hind in Hong Kong waters. Currently, there is no cultivation of Tomato Hind fry in Hong Kong, Tomato Hind fry will be purchased from Mainland China. If the cultivation is successful, it can provide local aquaculture fishermen with an additional species option and revitalize Hong Kong’s aquaculture industry while promoting sustainable development.

Developing Aquamimicry Aquaculture for Hong Kong: A High Yield, High Intensity, Yet Sustainable Shrimp Cultivation System

Aquaculture is essential to meet global seafood demand. The Whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) is the main aquaculture species, being widely farmed across China and Southeast Asia. The goal in the medium term is to support local farmers in adopting the proposed approaches. This could be facilitated through further collaborations with pond fisher associations in Hong Kong beyond the proposed project. This would enable the project team to collaborate on trials at larger scale in local pond systems. The project team would also act as advisers/instructors for farmers interested in implementing the system and would provide further training, feedback and advice as required for a successful implementation of the system. The success of this project will offer an aquaculture approach that is simple to implement, increases productivity, biosecurity and profitability, while aligning with sustainability goals of The Government of Hong Kong.

Promoting the Abalone Cultivation Project in Hong Kong

This project aims to promote the cultivation industry of Hong Kong’s Abalone species, including the Nine-Hole Abalone and Greenlip Abalone, by establishing a unique Hong Kong abalone brand and a high-quality cultivation model. The goal is to highlight the uniqueness and market value of locally cultivated abalone. The core objective of the project is to demonstrate the feasibility and economic benefits of abalone cultivation in Hong Kong through optimized cultivation techniques and brand development. It also seeks to attract traditional fishermen and the younger generation to participate, fostering the sustainable development of the fisheries industry.