The government said yesterday that it is urging maritime transport companies and gaming operators to roll out more maritime tour products with the aim of promoting the development of the city’s marine economy.
Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) Deputy Director Kuok Kin made the remarks when attending a current affairs phone-in programme hosted by Ou Mun Tin Toi, the Chinese-language radio channel of public broadcaster TDM.
Yesterday’s topic of the programme was about the government’s ongoing public consultation on the drafting of a bill regulating the use of the city’s coastal waters. The 50-day public consultation, which started on Friday last week, also covers the drafting of an official plan for the coastal waters’ marine functional zoning as well as an official master plan for the use and development of the coastal waters.
On December 20, 2015, i.e., the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR), the central government granted Macau formal jurisdiction over its coastal waters covering 85 square kilometres. Previously, unlike Hong Kong, Macau did not have formal jurisdiction over its coastal waters. The city’s current land area amounts to 33.3 square kilometres.
Afterwards, in July 2018, Macau enacted its current framework law on the management of its coastal waters, officially known as Maritime Areas Management Framework Law.
The current framework law stipulates that the city’s coastal waters are owned by the nation and that the central government authorises the MSAR government to exercise its administrative power to manage the coastal waters.
The framework law requires the local government to draft laws and regulations on the management of Macau’s coastal waters. In addition, the local government is also required to draft an official plan for the coastal waters’ marine functional zoning in compliance with the framework of the nation’s marine functional zoning, as well as an official master plan for the use and development of the city’s coastal waters in compliance with its marine functional zoning.
Promoting the development of the city’s marine economy is one of the objectives of the local government’s management of the city’s coastal waters listed by the current framework law.
The ongoing public consultation proposes various plans and measures aiming to develop the city’s marine tourism and promote the organisation of international maritime sports events.
During yesterday’s phone-in programme, Kuok underlined that the local government is studying how to make good use of the city’s maritime areas with the aim of promoting the development of its marine economy.
In terms of promoting maritime sightseeing products, Kuok said that the government was urging maritime transport companies and gaming operators to design and launch more maritime tour packages.
Kuok said that the government expects Macau to develop its maritime sightseeing tours with its own distinctive features and characteristics.
For instance, Kuok said, maritime sightseeing trips in the Inner Harbour would enable residents and tourists alike to gain a better understanding of the history and current condition of the city’s fishing industry.
Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) Deputy Director Kuok Kin addresses yesterday’s phone-in programme hosted by public broadcaster TDM’s Chinese-language radio channel. – Photo courtesy of TDM
