‘Make fish farming great’: Hong Kong veteran wants to share expertise, attract newcomers to jobs in fisheries sector
- Gary Wong made a fortune raising empurau, now he hopes to inspire others to start fish farms too
- ‘Lohas Plus’ project aims to create 300 jobs for underprivileged jobseekers, young people
Veteran Hong Kong fish farmer Gary Wong Po-man, 57, made a fortune rearing prized empurau freshwater fish, which his wealthy customers snap up at HK$5,000 (US$637) per kilogram.
Native to Southeast Asia and dubbed the most expensive fish in Malaysia, it is referred to variously as “king of the river”, “unforgettable” and “Borneo gold” – all testimony to its reputation for being exceptionally tasty. Even the scales are considered a delicacy, deep-fried.
Now Wong is ready to share his expertise, gained from more than 20 years in the business, and hopes to raise a new generation of fish farmers who can make Hong Kong’s lacklustre agriculture and fisheries industry shine again.
The co-founder of Smart Farming HK, which runs a 50,000 sq ft organic aquaculture farm in Tin Shui Wai, has partnered with social enterprise Sister Peer to create at least 300 jobs over the first three years.
Called “Lohas Plus”, it aims to help the underprivileged and younger people learn new skills, earn a living and go as far as they want in the business.
Wong, who is deputy chairman of the Hong Kong Offshore Fishery Association, will provide participants everything they need free of charge to get started, including fingerlings, fish ponds and facilities at a new 600,000 sq ft site in Sha Tau Kok, near the border with mainland China.
“They can start their own business by running the fish ponds at our site. We will teach them all the necessary techniques and provide everything they need for fish farming,” he told the Post.