The Water and Marine Bureau (DSAMA) said in a statement yesterday that on Sunday the bureau’s officials spotted illegal fishing activities in Taipa, adding that this was the second time people taking part in such activities were caught.
According to the statement, the bureau’s officials found a person on a fishing boat casting fishing nets near the buoys in the Outer Harbour and the Taipa fairways. The statement pointed out that the two fairways are restricted areas as fishing there could affect ferry operations. The officials immediately stopped the offenders fishing and confiscated the fishing nets that are 1,000 metres long in total from the two fairways and waters off Hac Sa Beach.
The statement stressed that illegal fishing in waterways could affect the safety of ferry operations as the nets could accidently become wrapped around other vessels’ propellors. According to local laws, those fishing in restricted areas face a fine of up to 15,000 patacas. The statement added that if the illegal fishing activities cause marine incidents, the fisherfolks could face criminal consequences.
While ferry operation between Macau and Hong Kong have been suspended since early 2020, those between some ports in Guangdong have occasionally been running.
This undated handout photo provided by the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) yesterday shows a DSAMA official stopping a vessel involved in illegal fishing activities.
