Latest news with #FisheriesandConservationDepartment
HKFP
5 days ago
- HKFP
Hong Kong government watchdog investigates amenities in countryside amid city's tourism push
Hong Kong's government watchdog has announced an investigation into amenities in the city's countryside, an effort to boost tourism amid complaints about hygiene and insufficient facilities in some nature spots. The Office of The Ombudsman said on Thursday that the probe is intended to align with the government's efforts to develop green tourism and the concept that 'tourism is everywhere' in the city – a notion put forward by Beijing's top official on Hong Kong affairs, Xia Baolong. The watchdog said it noted news reports of inadequate toilets and poor hygiene conditions in some countryside areas. Information on transport, water filling locations and toilet locations are also said to be lacking, the watchdog said in a statement. The Ombudsman added that it has also 'received complaints about the slow progress of countryside facility maintenance and insufficient supporting resources, such as delays in rain shelter repairs and insufficient publicity for visitor centres.' As part of the investigation, the Ombudsman will examine the operations of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), as well as other departments responsible for managing country parks and ancillary facilities. The government watchdog's announcement came after the Labour Day Golden Week holiday earlier this month, when the city saw large crowds of tourists visiting the countryside, including Grass Island and the MacLehose Trail. Both places are widely featured in posts about Hong Kong travel tips on Xiaohongshu, a mainland Chinese social media app. In Sai Kung, the High Island Geo Trail saw over 3,000 tourists a day, most of whom came from mainland China, news outlets reported. Tourists in some countryside areas waited a long time for minibuses and some complained about inconvenient transport arrangements, according to local media. Jack Chan, the Ombudman, said he himself observed garbage accumulation and traffic congestion during the recent Labour Day holiday. Established in 1989, the Office of The Ombudsman is the city's independent watchdog for probing the government. Controversies emerged with the watchdog earlier in May after it was found to have removed decades' worth of annual and investigative reports, as well as other documents, from its website, saying the move is for 'more effective website management.'
HKFP
16-05-2025
- General
- HKFP
NGO urges stronger protection of Hong Kong's oyster reefs as gov't invites public views on biodiversity strategy
Hong Kong's environmental authorities should include more robust measures to protect and restore oyster reefs in the city's waters in their forthcoming update of a biodiversity policy blueprint, an international NGO has said. The government has launched a two-month public consultation on updating Hong Kong's Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, a five-year environmental policy blueprint first introduced in 2016. The invitation for public views will end on July 11. International environmental NGO the Nature Conservancy on Thursday urged the public to support greater marine conservation in Hong Kong during the consultation period, while calling on the government to take further steps to protect the city's coastal ecosystems. Oyster reefs improve water quality by filtering particles, and are an important habitat for hundreds of species. The barnacles, mussels and sea anemones which settle on them create rich food sources for fish consumed by humans. Worldwide, an estimated 85 per cent of reefs have already been wiped out, according to TNC. 'Despite Hong Kong's rich marine biodiversity – home to over 5,900 species, or more than one-quarter of all marine species recorded in mainland China – marine conservation efforts have lagged far behind those on land,' the NGO said in a press release on Thursday. About five per cent of Hong Kong's waters are designated as marine parks or marine reserves, which are protected areas under the city's law, according to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). It was 'well below the global target of 30 [per cent],' the NGO said. It urged the government to expand marine protected areas, notably in areas such as South Lantau, Tung Chung, and the coastal area of Deep Bay, which are biodiversity hotspots. Reefs restoration The NGO also suggested that the government initiate projects to restore degraded oyster reefs in Hong Kong. 'Historical dredging, reclamation, and urban development have decimated once-abundant oyster habitats across the territory,' it said. Citing an assessment it conducted with the University of Hong Kong, the NGO said reef restoration is feasible but a key barrier is access to the seabed – an area where their efforts have faced government red tape. It proposed that the government include reef restoration strategies in marine parks, launch them in suitable bays, and make seabed areas available for such projects. The government said in a press release on Monday that the update to the biodiversity policy blueprint will be completed this year. A consultation paper proposes four areas for the update, including nature conservation and 'collaborative partnering,' in which the government seeks cross-border partnership in environmental protection, such as with the mainland authorities. Hong Kong has nine marine parks and marine reserves, which are mostly located in the city's western waters, where a rich marine life including the uniquely pink Chinese White Dolphin lives. The area also saw major infrastructure projects in recent years such as the construction of the third runway of the city's international airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. In comparison, Hong Kong has 25 country parks and multiple special areas designated as sites for nature conservation. They comprise of over 400 square kilometres of land. Hong Kong has a total of 1,073 square kilometres of land.
HKFP
15-05-2025
- Health
- HKFP
‘Adopt, don't shop,' Consumer Council says after finding most online pet sellers suspected of conducting illegal business
Hong Kong's Consumer Council has urged people to adopt pets after its investigation found that over 90 per cent of online pet shops were suspected of smuggling animals from mainland China or being unlicensed local breeders. In a statement published on Thursday, the consumer watchdog disclosed the findings of its joint investigation and survey with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) on the issue of online pet purchases and scams. The Consumer Council said that from January to April, its staff posed as shoppers to contact 13 online pet shops. Among them, 10 sellers said their dogs came from mainland China or unlicensed local breeders. Five sellers said the dogs came from breeding farms or kennels in mainland China, without specifying how they would transport the pets to Hong Kong – despite the AFCD's rule requiring pets imported from mainland China to be quarantined for 30 days. Another five online shops said the dogs came from unlicensed breeders. The remaining three sellers said the dogs were from local licensed breeders, but only one could provide a breeder's licence. The watchdog also warned consumers of 'petfishing' scams, in which scammers post online advertisements offering seemingly cute pets that turn out to be unhealthy animals from poor breeding environments or even non-existent pets. 'In the unfortunate event of petfishing scams, not only would it lead to financial loss, but the beloved pets might also be tormented by illness,' it said. According to a survey of 112 registered local veterinarians conducted in January and February, pets purchased online were in poorer health than those bought in physical stores. Of every 10 pets purchased online that sought medical care, an average of 5 dogs and 5.5 cats were found to be sick or in poor condition. In contrast, of every 10 pets bought from physical pet shops that needed medical care, an average of 3.3 dogs and 3.9 cats were sick or in poor condition. The consumer watchdog also said that dogs bought online had higher rates of common diseases, such as upper respiratory infections, diarrhoea, and the potentially fatal canine parvovirus, ranging from 52 to 86 per cent. The infection rates among dogs bought in stores ranged from 29 and 78 per cent. It also found that 61.9 per cent of cats purchased online got infected with feline panleukopenia, a highly contagious, life-threatening infectious disease, compared with a 31.4 per cent infection rate among cats bought in stores. Both canine parvovirus and feline panleukopenia are preventable with vaccines. However, the survey found that over 90 per cent of pets purchased online lacked proper vaccination records. 'Some pet owners had vaccination cards without any veterinarian's signature and only in simplified Chinese,' the council said.
RTHK
14-05-2025
- Health
- RTHK
Govt to cut quarantine period for pets from mainland
The government said the quarantine period for cats and dogs entering Hong Kong from the mainland will be cut from 120 days to 30, starting early next Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said pet owners will need to submit proof the animals have been chipped and vaccinated for rabies -- as well as an animal health certificate issued by vets on the on RTHK's Hong Kong Today programme , chairwoman of the Animal Rights and Welfare Association, Susan Lai, said she welcomed the decision to shorten quarantine for pets."Reducing the quarantine duration [reduces] the stress and discomfort animals may experience during the long periods of confinement, promoting better welfare for pets... and shortening the quarantine aims to create a clearer lawful pathway for pet owners, which can help reduce illegal importation."Lai also said the government should strengthen legislation to deter the smuggling of pets and animals in general."The government must still strengthen regulation like increasing [the] smuggling penalty and strengthening enforcement to prevent smuggling while continuing to improve the quarantine policies that balance public health, animal welfare, and also pet-friendly practices."
RTHK
14-05-2025
- Health
- RTHK
Govt to cut quarantine period for pets from mainland
The government said the quarantine period for cats and dogs entering Hong Kong from the mainland will be cut from 120 days to 30, starting early next Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said pet owners will need to submit proof the animals have been chipped and vaccinated for rabies -- as well as an animal health certificate issued by vets on the on RTHK's Hong Kong Today programme , chairwoman of the Animal Rights and Welfare Association, Susan Lai, told Carol Musgrave that she welcomed the decision to shorten quarantine for pets."Reducing the quarantine duration [reduces] the stress and discomfort animals may experience during the long periods of confinement, promoting better welfare for pets... and shortening the quarantine aims to create a clearer lawful pathway for pet owners, which can help reduce illegal importation."Lai also said the government should strengthen legislation to deter the smuggling of pets and animals in general."The government must still strengthen regulation like increasing [the] smuggling penalty and strengthening enforcement to prevent smuggling while continuing to improve the quarantine policies that balance public health, animal welfare, and also pet-friendly practices."
