The Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) reminded the public in a statement yesterday that it is prohibited to fish or place any fishing devices in Macau’s fairways and their surrounding waters, so as to ensure safety of navigation, warning that offenders could be fined up to 15,000 patacas.
Offenders will also face civil liability and double fines if marine accidents are caused as a result, the statement added.
During a recent routine inspection of Macau’s fairways, DSAMA officials found two illegally placed crab traps, with a total length of about 1,000 metres and 700 metres, on the seabed of the fairway between Macau’s Inner Harbour and Wanzai in Zhuhai.
The bureau said it had sent officials to remove the crab traps from the area.
In addition, the bureau found a three-metre-by-seven-metre bamboo raft in the sea off Cheoc Van in Coloane, which was estimated to have drifted from elsewhere, after it dispatched vessels to the area to remove the raft.
According to the statement, in response to the recent resumption of Hong Kong-Macau ferry links, the bureau will continue to strengthen the inspection and monitoring of Macau’s fairways and floating debris and rubbish in the sea and remove the refuse as necessary to ensure the safety of ships travelling at high speed.
The bureau called on the public to strictly abide by the laws and regulations and not to do anything that affects the safety of navigation.
This photo provided by the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) yesterday shows DSAMA officials removing a bamboo raft off Cheoc Van beach in Coloane. – Photo by DSAMA
