Minister rejects fishermen's pleas for extra financial aid
Fishermen have failed to convince the government to give them more aid to cope with the coming fishing moratorium in the South China Sea and the rising cost of fuel.
Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food York Chow Yat-ngok told a meeting of officials and the Joint Committee of Hong Kong Fishermen's Organisations yesterday that government loans totalling $250 million announced last Saturday would be adequate to ease the industry's woes.
Fishermen have been calling for interest-free loans and welfare assistance to help them cover losses caused by the annual two-month fishing moratorium, due to begin next month.
The authorities have instead proposed to set aside $190 million for loans to help fishermen and fish farmers pursue sustainable fisheries or related operations, such as offshore fishing and developing aquaculture businesses.
A further $60 million will be for low-interest loans to fishermen affected by the moratorium.
The government will consult the Legislative Council's panel on food safety and environmental hygiene on the proposals later this month and seek funding approval from the Finance Committee next month.
Dr Chow also rejected the industry's request for a fuel subsidy. He said the diesel oil used by fishing vessels was duty-free industrial diesel priced far below diesel sold on the open market. Offering a subsidy would be unfair to other trades affected by oil price rises, he said.
Legislator Wong Yung-kan, who also chairs the joint committee, said Dr Chow's response was disappointing. 'Many fishermen felt there was a lack of sincerity on the part of the government to act to solve their problems,' he said.
Before the meeting, about 300 fishermen took part in a protest march from Chater Garden to the Murray Building.
