Five individuals utilizing snake cages for fishing sentenced (with photographs)
Five individuals utilizing snake cages for fishing sentenced (with photographs)
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Four Mainland fisherman deckhands engaged in fishing utilizing snake cages (a kind of cage lure banned in Hong Kong waters) earlier in waters off the River Trade Terminal in western Hong Kong, and an area coxswain on board have been charged for breaching the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171) and convicted at this time (March 8).
A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) famous that AFCD officers intercepted an area fishing vessel at round 4pm on March 2, 2023, for inspection. The vessel was suspected to be engaged in fishing utilizing snake cages within the abovementioned waters. Some fishing gear (together with snake cages and winches) on board was seized. Charges have been laid towards the 5 males concerned.
The 5 males, who have been charged for breaching the Ordinance, have been convicted on the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts at this time and have been fined $5,000 every. The fishing gear was confiscated.
The spokesman stated, “The Government is dedicated to combating unlawful fishing actions in Hong Kong waters. The AFCD will proceed to step up patrols and take stringent enforcement motion.”
Only a vessel registered beneath the Ordinance can be utilized for fishing in Hong Kong waters and solely the fishing strategies listed on its Certificate of Local Fishing Vessel Registration will be employed for fishing by the vessel. The circumstances of Certificate of Registration of Local Fishing Vessel concerning cage traps stipulate that any collapsible cage traps shouldn’t be related in any approach to one other; or shouldn’t exceed 5 metres in any of its prolonged dimensions. Hence, fishing utilizing snake cages is in breach of the registration circumstances. Offenders are liable to a most superb of $100,000 and 6 months’ imprisonment upon conviction.
Ends/Friday, March 8, 2024
Issued at HKT 18:39
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