Marine fish culture licences for operation in Mirs Bay fish culture zone open for applications
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (January 23) announced that applications for marine fish culture licences for operation in the Mirs Bay fish culture zone are now open from today until April 30.
An AFCD spokesman said, "The Mirs Bay fish culture zone is located in open waters with favourable currents, making it suitable for the adoption of modern aquaculture facilities and technologies, such as steel truss cages or high-density polyethylene gravity-type cages with strong wind and wave resistance. The establishment of these new fish culture zones enables the industry to operate aquaculture in an intensification mode, thereby promoting and assisting them in transitioning to modernised and sustainable operations, and facilitating the sustainable development of the local fisheries industry."
Applicants are required to submit a detailed business plan, including an introduction to the proposed sustainable mariculture business and the type of deep-sea cages to be used. The proposed business must comply with relevant cage requirements as well as the relevant environmental protection and mitigation measures. Interested parties intending to operate in the Mirs Bay fish culture zone may consider applying for marine fish culture licences through funding from the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund or through self-financing to develop mariculture businesses.
The AFCD will hold a briefing session on February 13 to introduce the application procedures and licensing requirements for marine fish culture licences in the Mirs Bay fish culture zone. For details on the licence application and the briefing, please visit the AFCD's webpage(www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_aqu/fish_aqu_mfco/newfczmfcl2026.html).
The AFCD has designated Wong Chuk Kok Hoi, Mirs Bay, Outer Tap Mun and Po Toi (Southeast) as four new fish culture zones, covering a total area of 600 hectares. Among them, the Wong Chuk Kok Hoi and the Mirs Bay fish culture zones have accepted marine fish culture licence applications in 2024 and 2025. The AFCD will review the actual operations of these two fish culture zones to further refine the planning for the new fish culture zones at Outer Tap Mun and Po Toi (Southeast), in preparation for their timely opening.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), Photo source: reference image
Speech by SITI at Canadian Engineering Asia-Pacific Conference - A Centennial Celebration of Engineering Excellence
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Canadian Engineering Asia-Pacific Conference -A Centennial Celebration of Engineering Excellencetoday (January 24):
Chairman Kan (Chairman of the Iron Ring 100 Organising Committee, Mr Fred Kan), Charles (Consul General of Canada to Hong Kong and Macao, Mr Charles Edwin Reeves), deans, distinguished guests and speakers, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join all of you here at the Canadian Engineering Asia-Pacific Conference.
Today, we mark a milestone of profound significance as we celebrate the centennial of the Iron Ring, a symbol that has guided generations of Canadian engineers in their commitment to integrity, humility and service to society. As a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, today's gathering in Hong Kong bears especial meaning to me. Like many of you, my studies and work experience in Canada have shaped my teaching and research journey in Hong Kong, and continue to inspire my work until this day.
For one hundred years, the Iron Ring has not only reminded engineers of their professional obligations, but also borne witness to the passage of time and the progress of civilisation. As we honour this century-long legacy, we must also look ahead and recognise that engineering is undergoing unprecedented transformation. The next hundred years of engineering, like the whole world, will be defined, and redefined, by innovation and technology (I&T).
Hong Kong is embracing this transformation with ambition and determination. Guided by the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint promulgated in 2022, the Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionGovernment is investing heavily to build a fast-growing, globally-connected I&T ecosystem powered by solid R&D (research and development) capability, world-class talents, and an increasingly vibrant startup community.
Home to five of the world's top 100 universities, Hong Kong has a rich pool of top-tier scientists, engineers, and tech talents, and possesses exceptional strengths in scientific research. Our flagship global research collaboration initiative, the InnoHK Clusters, which hosts 31 research centres, pools together over 30 world-renowned non-local universities and research institutes from 12 economies to collaborate with our local universities. The University of Waterloo and the University Health Network stand among our most valued partners, contributing Canadian excellence to Hong Kong's research landscape. To welcome more top-notch talent to Hong Kong, we have launched the Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme.
In recent years, Hong Kong has also taken decisive steps to strengthen its position in frontier technologies. Notably, we have established the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute in 2024 to drive third-generation semiconductor research and accelerate the transformation of R&D outcomes into industry applications. And we will also set up the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute within this year.
Furthermore, the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone formally commenced operation last month, housing more than 60 enterprises at the moment. The Park signals our commitment to building world-class innovative platform and deepening cross-boundary collaboration. We welcome I&T talent and enterprises from around the world to join us in our I&T journey.
Over the years, Hong Kong and Canadashare many similarities and a wide range of common interests. We both thrive on engineering ingenuity, education aspiration, and a bold vision for I&T development. As we navigate an era defined by AI, robotics, and rapid technological transformation, the I&T partnership between the two economies will become ever more vital.
The presence of eight distinguished Canadian engineering deans at this conference speaks to the strength of our academic ties and the shared vision we hold for the future. Let us further strengthen the ties between Hong Kong and Canada, between engineering, innovation, and beyond.
Finally, I congratulate the organising committee on this remarkable milestone and wish you all a rewarding conference. Thank you.
Speech by SITI at Canadian Engineering Asia-Pacific Conference - A Centennial Celebration of Engineering Excellence Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
