Three Mainland men who used trawling gear to fish illegally on 27 August were convicted and sentenced to four weeks’ imprisonment suspended for one year at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts yesterday.
The Marine Police found a trawler suspected to be trawling in the waters off Conic Island, Sai Kung East Country Park, at about 7:00 pm on 27 August and intercepted the vessel for an inspection. 100 kg of fish and some trawling apparatus were seized on board the vessel.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) took over the case. Upon investigation, three Mainland men on the vessel were charged for contravening the Fisheries Protection Regulations by using prohibited fishing gear. They appeared at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts and were convicted and sentenced yesterday. The fishing gear concerned was also forfeited.
An AFCD spokesman reminded the public that the ban on trawling came into force on 31 December 2012. Under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance, any person who contravenes the ban is liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
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