Hong Kong Celebrates 2026 National Fish Releasing Day with 62,000 Juvenile Fish Restocked to Enhance Marine Resources

Fish restocking exercise on National Fish Releasing Day 2026 held

To mark the National Fish Releasing Day, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (June 6) co-organised restocking activities with various local organisations and released juvenile fish in different waters of Hong Kong, with an aim to restore and enhance aquatic resources as well as to deepen public understanding about restocking.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, said that The Government has been actively conducting restocking exercises to enhance marine resources as outlined in the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries. The theme of the restocking activity this year, "Restocking for an Everlasting Ocean", stresses the value of restocking, which is to allow marine resources to thrive and to sustain, and to leave a living and harmonious marine environment for our future generations. The AFCD will organise a number of workshops about restocking for the public and the education sector, to embed the concept of science-based restocking deeply in the community and schools.

Following the launch ceremony, representatives from the AFCD, the Hong Kong Buddhist Association, Ocean Park Hong Kong and the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong released some 62 000 juvenile fish of native species, including black seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii), yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus), red seabream (Pagrus major), and two newly added species this year: short barbeled velvetchin (Hapalogenys nigripinnis) and giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus), in Yan Chau Tong Marine Park and South Lantau Marine Park. The diverse habitats in these two marine parks, such as artificial reefs, coral communities, natural rocky reefs and boulders, provide suitable habitats for the juvenile fish. Existing fisheries management measures also offer effective protection for their growth. The AFCD and its collaborating organisations will conduct regular underwater surveys to record the status of released fish and monitor the status of local fisheries resources as a whole.

The restocking exercise, supported by the Urban Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, the Marine Development Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, the Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium, the Hong Kong Buddhist Association, Ocean Park Hong Kong and the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong, brought together about 150 students, representatives from religious groups, fishermen's associations and green groups, and volunteers from Shenzhen, etc. The AFCD also released a restocking leaflet today to introduce information about the science-based restocking to the public and provide guidelines for organisations interested in conducting restocking. Later this year, the AFCD will jointly organise more workshops with the Urban Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality and the Marine Development Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality to further enhance understanding about science-based restocking among the public and the education sector.

The AFCD reminds the public to think carefully before participating in animal release activities to avoid affecting the ecological environment or causing unnecessary suffering to animals. Members of the public are encouraged to participate in science-based restocking or other charitable activities as alternatives to improper animal releases.

To mark the National Fish Releasing Day, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department today (June 6) co-organised restocking activities with various local organisations and released juvenile fish in different waters of Hong Kong, with an aim to restore and enhance aquatic resources as well as to deepen public understanding about restocking. Photo shows giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) juveniles for release. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

To mark the National Fish Releasing Day, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department today (June 6) co-organised restocking activities with various local organisations and released juvenile fish in different waters of Hong Kong, with an aim to restore and enhance aquatic resources as well as to deepen public understanding about restocking. Photo shows short barbeled velvetchin (Hapalogenys nigripinnis) juveniles for release. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

To mark the National Fish Releasing Day, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department today (June 6) co-organised restocking activities with various local organisations and released juvenile fish in different waters of Hong Kong, with an aim to restore and enhance aquatic resources as well as to deepen public understanding about restocking. Photo shows red seabream (Pagrus major) juveniles for release. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

To mark the National Fish Releasing Day, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department today (June 6) co-organised restocking activities with various local organisations and released juvenile fish in different waters of Hong Kong, with an aim to restore and enhance aquatic resources as well as to deepen public understanding about restocking. Photo shows yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) juveniles for release. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

To mark the National Fish Releasing Day, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department today (June 6) co-organised restocking activities with various local organisations and released juvenile fish in different waters of Hong Kong, with an aim to restore and enhance aquatic resources as well as to deepen public understanding about restocking. Photo shows black seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) juveniles for release. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

To mark the National Fish Releasing Day, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department today (June 6) co-organised restocking activities with various local organisations and released juvenile fish in different waters of Hong Kong, with an aim to restore and enhance aquatic resources as well as to deepen public understanding about restocking. Photo shows the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, speaking at the launch ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

To mark the National Fish Releasing Day, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department today (June 6) co-organised restocking activities with various local organisations and released juvenile fish in different waters of Hong Kong, with an aim to restore and enhance aquatic resources as well as to deepen public understanding about restocking. Photo shows (from left) the Chairman of Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund Advisory Committee, Professor Wong Ka-hing; the Chairman of Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium, Mr Cheung Siu-keung; Legislative Council Members, Mr Chan Pok-chi, Mr Yiu Pak-leung; the President of the Hong Kong Buddhist Association, Ven Kuan Yun; Legislative Council member Ms Judy Chan; the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai; the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong; Deputy Director General of the New Territories Sub-office of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Ms Zhu Yihua; Legislative Council Member Mr Chan Hak-kan; the Chairman of the Board of Ocean Park Corporation, Mr Paulo Pong; Legislative Council Member Mr Steven Ho; Deputy Department Director of Shenzhen Marine Development Promotion Center, Mr Zhang Yuhai; and the Chairman of Marine Parks Committee, Professor Qiu Jianwen, officiating at the launch ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment) attends Environment Day cum Recycling Day Launching Ceremony

The Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), Mr Eddie Cheung, today (June 7) officiated at the Environment Day cum Recycling Day Launching Ceremony. Officiating guests included the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), Mr Ye Shuiqiu; the Level II Bureau Rank Official of Department of Ecology and Environment of Guangdong Province, Mr Wu Shuangxi; the Director of the Environmental Protection Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Mr Ip Kuong-lam; and the Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui.

To echo the National Event on the Environment Day 2026 and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the EPD launched the Beautiful Hong Kong Green Fest starting from June 1 and organised the annual event Recycling Day, with a view to encouraging public participation in waste reduction at source and waste separation and recycling.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Cheung said that the current-term Government is implementing environmental protection policies in full steam, striving to achieve carbon neutrality, protecting biodiversity, and making Hong Kong a demonstration base for green technologies and a low-carbon and liveable city. On waste reduction and recycling, Hong Kong has already made substantial progress. The municipal solid waste disposal quantity has declined for four consecutive years since 2021, while the recycling rate continues to rise. He sincerely invites members of the public to actively participate in the Recycling Day activities, integrate waste reduction and recycling into daily lives, and work together towards the vision of "Zero Landfill".

The Recycling Day activities include the Environment Day cum Recycling Day Carnival held today, promotional activities at 12 GREEN@COMMUNITY Recycling Stations over the territory and in collaboration with over 200 Recycling Day co-operative partners in June, as well as a creative short film competition. The EPD also offered the Environment Day 2X GREEN$ Rewards from June 5 to today, where members of the public can earn double GREEN$ points when they recycle at the GREEN@COMMUNITY community recycling network. For details, please visit www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en-hk/RecyclingDay2026.

Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment) attends Environment Day cum Recycling Day Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment) attends Environment Day cum Recycling Day Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment) attends Environment Day cum Recycling Day Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment) attends Environment Day cum Recycling Day Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases