Talk of the town：Fisheries in Hong Kong
【明報專訊】A fishing moratorium (休漁期) is a temporary ban on fishing activities in a specific area. In 1999, the Chinese government set up the fishing moratorium in the South China Sea (南海) to restrict fisherman from catching fish. In 2025, the fishing moratorium is effective from 1 May to 16 August. It allows fish populations to recover and replenish in order to maintain sustainable fisheries. This temporary ban on fishing helps prevent over-exploitation(過度開發) of fish stocks and supports the long-term health of marine ecosystems.
According to government statistics, the total fishery production of Hong Kong was 94,342 tonnes in 2024, contributing $2523 million to the local economy. While the annual local consumption of fisheries produces is 209,547 tonnes, the majority of it is imported.
As fish contain many essential nutrients, people in Hong Kong enjoy various kinds of fish prepared in different cooking styles, such as steaming and deep frying.
The following are some common fish in Hong Kong which may end up on your dinner table tonight. (See the table)
Where can I fish in Hong Kong?
Fishing is a popular leisure activity in Hong Kong, and reservoirs such as Shing Mun Reservoir (城門水塘) and High Island Reservoir (萬宜水庫) are popular fishing spots. In fact, there are 17 reservoirs and 9 irrigation reservoirs in Hong Kong, all of which are open to the public for fishing throughout the year. However, people must apply for a fishing license from the Water Supplies Department.
■Grammar booster
Have bigger fish to fry
To have something more important to do.
E.g. I know you're disappointed about your latest test results, but right now, we have bigger fish to fry with the upcoming deadline for our project.
■Gear up
1. People cannot fish in the South China Sea during the fishing moratorium.(True/False)
Fill in the blanks with the glossary below.
2. The ___________ closure of the park for repairs disappointed many visitors.
3. Many people enjoy reading as a form of __________ in their free time.
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
temporary (adj) 暫時的
replenish (v) 補充
colloquially (adv) 俗語上
leisure (n) 休閒
(Criticisms on this publication, if any, are aimed at pointing out the errors or defects of certain systems or policies with a view to rectifying or eradicating such errors or defects, as well as prompting improvement or remedy for them via lawful means. There is absolutely no intention of inciting hatred, discontent or hostility towards the government or other classes of the community.)
[Smarties' Power English 第444期]
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