Fish Farmers and Fishermen Affected by Typhoon Noul Can Apply for Emergency Relief Fund from Tomorrow

Emergency relief fund for fish farmers and fishermen affected by Typhoon Noul

Local fish farmers and fishermen who suffered serious losses caused by the recent Typhoon Noul can register with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) from tomorrow (July 28) for assistance from an emergency relief fund. According to the application guideline of the emergency relief fund, the application deadline for affected fish farmers is August 5, while the application deadline for affected fishermen is September 7.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Photo source: reference image

An AFCD spokesman said today (July 27) that an appropriate amount of the relief funding would be released to affected eligible fish farmers and fishermen according to established criteria.

"After each typhoon or natural disaster, AFCD staff will contact fish farmers and fishermen to assess the resultant damage to their fish rafts, fish ponds and fishing vessels. Depending on the extent of the damage, the department may launch an operation to provide some relief to affected persons," the spokesman said.

The department's preliminary investigation has revealed that some fish rafts in certain fish culture zones and some fishing vessels were affected by Typhoon Noul.

Affected fish farmers can submit their applications in person at the following AFCD offices:

1) Fisheries Licensing Section Office, 8/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon;

2) Aberdeen Fisheries Offices, 100A Shek Pai Wan Road, Aberdeen;

3) Tai Po Fisheries Offices, 3 Yu On Street, Sam Mun Tsai, Tai Po, New Territories; or

4) Sai Kung Fisheries Office, 5/F, Sai Kung Government Offices, 34 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung, New Territories.

Affected fishermen can submit their applications at the Fisheries Supporting Services Division Office of the AFCD, 8/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.

Affected fish farmers and fishermen can also submit applications online (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_cap/fish_cap_techsup/fish_cap_erf.html). For enquiries, please call 2150 7109 (for fish farmers) or 3426 2010 (for fishermen) during office hours.

Photo source: reference image

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes (2)

An incoming Mainland male passenger was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (August 3) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 39-year-old Mainland male passenger at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point on August 1 and seized 869 duty-not-paid cigarettes from him. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $3,900, and the duty potential was about $2,800. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk), or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes (2) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes (2) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases