Trawling ban means end of an era for Hong Kong's fishermen
A way of life is over. From today, trawling in Hong Kong waters is banned, leaving crews of local boats facing difficult choices
Keung Pak-ho first went out to sea at the age of eight, helping his father steer their wooden fishing sampan.
Today, the 65-year-old father of two sons is facing up to the fact that the industry that has been his livelihood for four decades is no more.
The government's ban on trawling, which came into effect at midnight last night, means his trade, long an inseparable part of Hong Kong's identity, belongs to history.
"It really is a pity to see that the skills and techniques I have learned in the past 40 years will become obsolete and history all of a sudden," Keung said, as South China Morning Post reporters joined him on board his trawler for one of his last fishing trips in northeastern waters.
"Give me a few more years and I can still contribute to the society, bringing the fish they want," he said, as he mulled over moving his ageing fishing boat to operate in mainland waters.
On board Keung's shrimp trawler are three deckhands, including his younger son, and his wife, who cooks and helps steer the boat when all the men are on the deck.