Wild Animals Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026 Gazetted

Wild Animals Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026 gazetted

The Government published the Wild Animals Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026 (the Bill) today (October 30) to enhance the protection for cetaceans appearing in Hong Kong waters.

The Bill proposes to grant the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation power to designate, where necessary, an area within Hong Kong waters as a Temporary Marine Restricted Area (TMRA) for safeguarding the health or well-being of cetaceans in the designated area, as well as to impose restrictions or prohibitions on persons, vessels and activities within the TMRA. The Bill also introduces new offences and enforcement powers against non-compliance of control measures within the TMRA.

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

"The presence of cetaceans, especially whales, often attracts significant public attention and draws people to approach them for viewing. The presence of people and vessels near an injured or stranded cetacean may cause disturbance or distress to it, hinder rescue operations and pose risks to the safety of other marine users. The Bill aims to empower the Government to implement appropriate control measures in a swift and flexible manner when necessary, with a view to enhancing the protection of cetaceans and safeguarding the safety of other marine users," a spokesman for the Government said.

In addition, the Bill proposes conferring legal status on the current Code of Conduct for Dolphin Watching (Code), so that the proof of contravention with the Code may be admissible as evidence in legal proceedings related to hunting and wilful disturbance of protected wild animals under section 4 of the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170). This will facilitate prosecution and strengthen the protection for local dolphins.

The Government consulted the Nature Conservation Subcommittee of the Advisory Council on the Environment, and the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Environmental Affairs on the Bill on June 30 and July 10, 2026, respectively. Members of the Subcommittee and the Panel expressed support to the proposed amendments. Other relevant stakeholders also generally supported the legislative proposal.

The presence of cetaceans in Hong Kong. Photo source: reference image

The Bill will be introduced into the LegCo for First Reading and Second Reading on November 11.

HKICL alerts public of fraudulent websites

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited (HKICL) has recently noted two fraudulent websites purported to be from HKICL:

• fpshktk.sbs
• tknewfps.cc

These fraudulent websites imitate as "Buyer Online Protection" to provide services including 1) refund to buyer, 2) unauthorised online transaction reporting, and 3) online transaction support, for online transaction over FPS payment. In addition, they also trick users into providing bank name, bank account number and bank account holder's name to top up and withdraw money from their platforms' virtual wallet. Further, they direct users to a fraudster impersonating as customer service personnel.

HKICL advises that these fraudulent websites have no affiliation with HKICL, or any business of HKICL. HKICL will not directly provide FPS service to individual members of the public or contact individual members of the public proactively under usual circumstance. The genuine official website addresses of HKICL are www.hkicl.com.hk and fps.hkicl.com.hk.

HKICL urges the public to beware of suspicious calls, websites or other communications, and to remain vigilant in protecting personal information. If members of the public receive any suspicious communication purportedly from HKICL, please call HKICL's general line at 2533 1111 to verify. Members of the public who suspect that theyhave become the victim of fraudulent acts should report promptly to the Police.

Source: AI-found images