Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07HONGKONG837
2007-03-23 11:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Hong Kong
Cable title:
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO SOUTHERN OCEANS
how-toVZCZCXRO3588 PP RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHHK #0837 0821103 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 231103Z MAR 07 FM AMCONSUL HONG KONG TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1053 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS HONG KONG 000837
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM AND OES/E
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CH EFIS HK KTIA PHSA SENV
SUBJECT: HONG KONG GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO SOUTHERN OCEANS
FISHERIES DEMARCHE
REF: STATE 20633
UNCLAS HONG KONG 000837
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM AND OES/E
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CH EFIS HK KTIA PHSA SENV
SUBJECT: HONG KONG GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO SOUTHERN OCEANS
FISHERIES DEMARCHE
REF: STATE 20633
1. (U) SUMMARY: AmConGen Hong Kong Economic Officer and
Deputy Agricultural Section Chief delivered reftel message to
Dr. S.F. Leung, the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and
Conservation Department's (AFCD) Assistant Director
(Fisheries),and Dr. Albert Leung, Senior Fisheries Officer
at AFCD. S.F. Leung replied that Hong Kong acknowledges the
problem, but currently lacks the legislative framework to
seize illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) toothfish
shipments. He noted that the Hong Kong government (HKG) has
worked with Australia and the Commission of Antarctic Marine
Living Resources (CCAMLR) on how best to address the issue.
He pointed out that mainland China's membership in CCAMLR
will allow for better coordination and prompt seizure of IUU
shipments once they cross the border. However, he doubted
the ability of Hong Kong in the short term to pass the
legislation needed for Hong Kong to become a CCAMLR member
and implement a Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS). He also
noted that close monitoring and coordination with
international partners has caused the trade in toothfish to
drop considerably in Hong Kong since 2003. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) AmConGen Hong Kong Economic Officer and Deputy
Agricultural Section Chief delivered message on IUU toothfish
to Dr. S.F. Leung, the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and
Conservation Department's (AFCD) Assistant Director for
Fisheries, and Dr. Albert Leung, Senior Fisheries Officer at
AFCD. S.F. Leung replied that Hong Kong is fully aware of
the problem and doing all it can to protect these resources.
AFCD officials have worked closely with the Secretary of the
Commission of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and
with representatives from Australia and mainland China on
this issue. However, Hong Kong currently lacks the
legislative framework to implement a Catch Documentation
Scheme (CDS). He elaborated that without domestic laws to
enable the Hong Kong government to seize suspect shipments,
the HKG lacks the authority at present to do anything other
than monitor the shipments. He stated that most of the
toothfish entering the territory come from ships registered
to Australia, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, and Japan.
Given that these countries abide by CCAMLR regulations, Hong
Kong does not view these landings as a problem. He stated
that the HKG communicates closely with sending and receiving
countries when it suspects a shipment of IUU toothfish.
Furthermore, regarding suspect mainland Chinese vessels, S.F.
Leung believes that China's entry into CCAMLR will help Hong
Kong get around the gap in their legal system that prevents
implementation of CDS. Since most toothfish transshipments
are destined for mainland China, Hong Kong can now inform
mainland authorities of suspect IUU shipments. Hong Kong
hopes that Chinese authorities, now empowered through CCAMLR
membership, will investigate and seize these illegal
shipments.
3. (U) Economic Officer asked when Hong Kong plans to draft
laws that would allow the HKG to implement CDS and seize IUU
toothfish. S.F. Leung replied that AFCD has brought the
issue up with the Central Policy Unit, which is responsible
for making recommendations on drafting new laws. However, he
replied "honestly speaking, despite our best efforts to
highlight this problem, it is very hard to make this a
priority legislative issue considering all the other pressing
domestic issues that the government must address." He
anticipated that it would take at least a couple of years
before new laws would be drafted and implemented. Meanwhile,
he underscored that close monitoring has revealed a
considerable decline of toothfish entering Hong Kong. AFCD
figures reveal that 96 tons of toothfish entered Hong Kong in
2003. After a brief spike to 220 tons in 2004, the number
dropped sharply to 20.5 tons and 21 tons in 2005 and 2006
respectively. Economic Officer reiterated the importance of
this issue. S.F. Leung replied that the HKG will continue to
work with its partners to protect these resources.
CUNNINGHAM
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM AND OES/E
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CH EFIS HK KTIA PHSA SENV
SUBJECT: HONG KONG GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO SOUTHERN OCEANS
FISHERIES DEMARCHE
REF: STATE 20633
1. (U) SUMMARY: AmConGen Hong Kong Economic Officer and
Deputy Agricultural Section Chief delivered reftel message to
Dr. S.F. Leung, the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and
Conservation Department's (AFCD) Assistant Director
(Fisheries),and Dr. Albert Leung, Senior Fisheries Officer
at AFCD. S.F. Leung replied that Hong Kong acknowledges the
problem, but currently lacks the legislative framework to
seize illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) toothfish
shipments. He noted that the Hong Kong government (HKG) has
worked with Australia and the Commission of Antarctic Marine
Living Resources (CCAMLR) on how best to address the issue.
He pointed out that mainland China's membership in CCAMLR
will allow for better coordination and prompt seizure of IUU
shipments once they cross the border. However, he doubted
the ability of Hong Kong in the short term to pass the
legislation needed for Hong Kong to become a CCAMLR member
and implement a Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS). He also
noted that close monitoring and coordination with
international partners has caused the trade in toothfish to
drop considerably in Hong Kong since 2003. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) AmConGen Hong Kong Economic Officer and Deputy
Agricultural Section Chief delivered message on IUU toothfish
to Dr. S.F. Leung, the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and
Conservation Department's (AFCD) Assistant Director for
Fisheries, and Dr. Albert Leung, Senior Fisheries Officer at
AFCD. S.F. Leung replied that Hong Kong is fully aware of
the problem and doing all it can to protect these resources.
AFCD officials have worked closely with the Secretary of the
Commission of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and
with representatives from Australia and mainland China on
this issue. However, Hong Kong currently lacks the
legislative framework to implement a Catch Documentation
Scheme (CDS). He elaborated that without domestic laws to
enable the Hong Kong government to seize suspect shipments,
the HKG lacks the authority at present to do anything other
than monitor the shipments. He stated that most of the
toothfish entering the territory come from ships registered
to Australia, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, and Japan.
Given that these countries abide by CCAMLR regulations, Hong
Kong does not view these landings as a problem. He stated
that the HKG communicates closely with sending and receiving
countries when it suspects a shipment of IUU toothfish.
Furthermore, regarding suspect mainland Chinese vessels, S.F.
Leung believes that China's entry into CCAMLR will help Hong
Kong get around the gap in their legal system that prevents
implementation of CDS. Since most toothfish transshipments
are destined for mainland China, Hong Kong can now inform
mainland authorities of suspect IUU shipments. Hong Kong
hopes that Chinese authorities, now empowered through CCAMLR
membership, will investigate and seize these illegal
shipments.
3. (U) Economic Officer asked when Hong Kong plans to draft
laws that would allow the HKG to implement CDS and seize IUU
toothfish. S.F. Leung replied that AFCD has brought the
issue up with the Central Policy Unit, which is responsible
for making recommendations on drafting new laws. However, he
replied "honestly speaking, despite our best efforts to
highlight this problem, it is very hard to make this a
priority legislative issue considering all the other pressing
domestic issues that the government must address." He
anticipated that it would take at least a couple of years
before new laws would be drafted and implemented. Meanwhile,
he underscored that close monitoring has revealed a
considerable decline of toothfish entering Hong Kong. AFCD
figures reveal that 96 tons of toothfish entered Hong Kong in
2003. After a brief spike to 220 tons in 2004, the number
dropped sharply to 20.5 tons and 21 tons in 2005 and 2006
respectively. Economic Officer reiterated the importance of
this issue. S.F. Leung replied that the HKG will continue to
work with its partners to protect these resources.
CUNNINGHAM