China has proposed banning trawling in Hong Kong waters and buying out boats in an effort to reduce the country's fishing fleet and make it more economically and ecologically sustainable.
Certain to draw opposition from fishermen, the proposal is outlined in a consultation paper that will be released next week by the Food and Health Bureau's Committee on Sustainable Fisheries, the South China Morning Post reported today.
With fish landings exceeding sustainable levels, the paper says controlling the catch is key to rejuvenating the fishing industry, which has been affected by marine pollution, a lack of competitiveness, aging vessels, fishing regulations and soaring oil prices.
Meetings will be held with fishermen, environmental groups and other stakeholders before the final report is drawn up.
