Hong Kong Plans to Build Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park to Balance Ecology and Aquaculture Development

Government responds to media enquiries on operation of fishponds within area of planning Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park

A Government spokesman today (July 7) reiterated that natural ecology and agriculture and fisheries resources are both vital assets of Hong Kong, and the Government attaches great importance to balancing their conservation and sustainable development. The planned Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park (SPS WCP) is a key demonstration project that integrates the creation of ecosystem value into the transformation of the agriculture and fisheries industries. The SPS WCP will provide eco-friendly fishpond habitats to maintain a balance between aquaculture and ecology, so as to promote the synergistic effect of pond fish culture and nature conservation, and implement modernised aquaculture technologies and management. With biodiversity conservation at its core, this approach will take forward a new, conservation-based paradigm for the industry that combines the upgrading and transformation with sustainable development, and thereby realise the co-existence of conservation and aquaculture.

The planned Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park, Photo source: FB@Civil Engineering and Development Department

The SPS WCP is positioned with the theme "Biodiversity and Aquaculture in Harmony". By restoring and enhancing existing wetland habitats, the project aims to enhance the ecological functions of the wetland systems in the Deep Bay area and protect bird flight corridors and habitats. At the same time, it will provide citizens and visitors with a rich eco-tourism experience and introduce modernised aquaculture facilities and techniques, and thus achieve triple objectives of wetland conservation, eco-education, recreation and tourism development, and the modernisation of the aquaculture industry.

With regard to spatial planning, the majority of the area within the SPS WCP (approximately 253 hectares (ha)) is planned to be managed as "Ecologically Enhanced Fishponds" (EEF) that serve the dual functions of nature conservation and pond fish culture. Through proactive conservation measures such as physical modification, reprofiling and management planning of the fishponds, the habitat quality and biodiversity of the wetland habitats can be enhanced, thereby increasing the overall ecological function of the wetlands. These EEF will also adopt eco-friendly aquaculture practices, with suitable adoption of modernised aquaculture technologies, which can improve the production efficiency and quality while reducing pollution and carbon emissions.

The planned Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park, Photo source: FB@Civil Engineering and Development Department

In addition, approximately 35 ha within the SPS WCP is planned to be managed as "Enhanced Freshwater Wetland" habitats, where proactive conservation measures such as establishing areas of varying water depth, providing dense vegetation cover, maintaining seasonal wetlands, etc., will be implemented to provide birds and other wildlife species with diverse micro-habitats.

Furthermore, to promote the use of technology in aquaculture, a "Fisheries Enhancement Area" (FEA) of approximately 40 ha will be established within the SPS WCP area adjacent to the San Tin Technopole, where the ecological value is lower. The FEA will introduce modernised, high-yield aquaculture facilities and technologies, implement modernised aquaculture management practices, and adopt high-density culture operations for pond fish farming. It will utilise existing fishponds, abandoned fishponds, and brownfield areas as far as possible. Indoor and outdoor facilities (such as recirculating aquaculture systems, outdoor sheltered ponds, purging ponds/facilities etc.) will be set up, thereby enhancing the quantity, quality, and value of local fisheries produce.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, together with the Civil Engineering and Development Department, are moving full steam ahead with the phased establishment of the SPS WCP. Clearance of the land within the Phase 1 Stage 1 area of the SPS WCP has been completed. Construction works for Phase 1 of the SPS WCP are expected to commence in late 2026 or early 2027 the earliest, and completed by 2031.

During the interim period, uses within the proposed park area will remain subject to regulation. The relevant departments will continue to enforce regulations and take forward prosecutions against unauthorised developments, illegal waste dumping and other related illegal activities within the proposed SPS WCP area under relevant ordinances, including the Town Planning Ordinance (Cap. 131), the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap. 354) and the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 28). Relevant departments will step up inspections, such as utilising new technologies (for instance drones) to assist in monitoring and investigations, and prioritise cases related to this area.

The planned Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park, Photo source: FB@Civil Engineering and Development Department

Auction of vehicle registration marks to be held on August 1

The Transport Department (TD) today (July 14) announced that the auction of vehicle registration marks will be held on August 1 (Saturday) at Meeting Room S421, L4, Old Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

"A total of 100 personalised vehicle registration marks (PVRMs) will be put up for public auction in the morning session, and 220 traditional vehicle registration marks (TVRMs) will be put up for auction in the afternoon session.The lists of marks have been uploaded to the department's website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html," a department spokesman said.

For the auction of TVRMs, only registration marks starting with "HK" or "XX" and special vehicle registration marks are put up for physical auction. Applicants should attend the auction and take note of the opening price as announced by the auctioneer before participating in the bidding of the mark.

The reserve price of each PVRM is $5,000. Applicants who have paid a deposit of $5,000 should also attend the physical auction and participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price). Otherwise, the PVRM concerned may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.

People who wish to participate in the bidding at the physical auction should take note of the following points:

(1) Bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after the successful bidding:

(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;

(ii) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;

(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and

(iv) a crossed cheque payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" or "The Government of the HKSAR". Any bidder who wishes to bid for both TVRMs and PVRMs on the same day, should bring along at least two crossed cheques for payment of auction prices(for an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed).Successful bidders may also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS), but are reminded to note the maximum transfer amount in the same day of the payment card.Payment by post-dated cheque, cash, credit card or other methods will not be accepted.

(2) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of Vehicle Registration Mark or the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM immediately after the bidding.Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the Memorandum will not be permitted.

(3) A registration mark can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser.The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.

(4) The display of a vehicle registration mark on a motor vehicle should be in compliance with the requirements stipulated in Schedule 4 to the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations.

(5) Any change to the arrangement of letters, numerals and blank spaces of a PVRM, i.e. single and two rows as auctioned, will not be allowed.

(6) Special vehicle registration marks are non-transferable.Where the ownership of a motor vehicle with a special vehicle registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special vehicle registration mark shall be cancelled.

(7) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the vehicle registration mark to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser.If the purchaser fails to assign the registration mark within 12 months, allocation of the registration mark will be cancelled and arranged for reallocation by the Commissioner for Transport in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.

"Upon completion of the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM, the purchaser will be issued a receipt and a Certificate of Allocation of Personalised Registration Mark. The Certificate of Allocation will serve to prove the holdership of the PVRM. Potential buyers of vehicles bearing a PVRM should check the Certificate of Allocation with the sellers and pay attention to the details therein. For transfer of vehicle ownership, this certificate together with other required documents should be sent to the TD for processing," the spokesman added.

For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes - Auction of TVRMs (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/tvrm_auction/index.html) and Guidance Notes - Auction of PVRMs (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_auction/index.html).

Source: AI-found images