Recreational Fisheries

What are Recreational Fisheries?

Recreational fisheries are new types of fisheries that combine with recreation to provide a full range of products and services through effective reorganization and reallocation of fishery resources, including fishing villages, fishery production resources, fishing methods and gear, fishery products and related goods, fishery ecology, humanities resources, and more, to integrate the fishing industry with leisure, tourism, ecological construction, cultural heritage, popular science and the food industry.

  • 1

    Utilization of fishery resources for product and service development

  • 2

    Supply of products and services for leisure purposes

  • 3

    Emphasis on the fishing element, for example, fishing villages, fishing industry, fishing culture, fishing methods and gears, fishery products, etc.

Source: Management Measures of Guangdong Province on Recreational Fisheries

Recreational Fisheries

Leisure and Entertainment

Ecological Development

Cultural Inheritance

Culinary Delights

Sightseeing and Tourism

Science

Types of Recreational Fisheries Activities

A. Seafood from fishing villages: traditional seafood cuisine, fish market tours, seafood purchase, etc.

B. Education and culture: educational demonstrations for fisheries promotion, culture of fishing villages, history of fisheries, temple fairs and festivals, etc.

C. Sports and leisure: sea fishing, rock fishing, diving, beach sports, fishing port visits, etc.

D. Fishery experience: aquatic product processing, life in a fishing village (e.g. fishing net weaving, fish drying, boat repair, and casual conversations between fisherfolks), etc.

E. Eco-tourism: appreciation of nature, such as oceans, intertidal zones, river mouths, mangroves, etc.

Recreational fisheries provide leisure activities for people to relax their minds and bodies, to learn and to grow spiritually. “All rivers run to the sea.” On the sea, people can break free of their narrow mindsets and feel the limitless world we are all born to enjoy. By understanding fisherfolks’ traditional lifestyle, e.g., their knowledge of the regularity of tides and currents by the moon and star observation, and usage of fishing tools, we can experience the ancient wisdom of connecting with nature.

(Source: Che-Yuan Huang, 周清和 (2005). 休閒漁業之永續經營 (Sustainable Management of Recreational Fisheries). Taiwan: Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute, Chinese Sustainable Agriculture Association)

Main Types of Recreational Fishing Activities in Hong Kong

Main Categories of Recreational Fisheries in Mainland

Main Types of Recreational Fishing Activities in Hong Kong

Main Categories of Recreational Fisheries in Mainland

  • Fishery experience programs (Fisherfolk cultural sharing, fisherfolk cultural and ecological guided tours, fish raft visits, demonstration of fishing operations, fish market visits, etc.)
  • Boat trips by fisherfolk to go boat fishing, squid fishing, boat tours, etc.
  • Recreational fishing experience on fish rafts; fishing village visits to understand and experience fisherfolk culture
  • Fisheries Hall and Fishermen Museum visits
  • Fish farm visits
  • Recreational fishing (boat fishing and pond fishing)
  • Fisherfolk cuisine
  • Fishery experience programs
  • Fisherfolk culture (fishing village and fishing port visit, fisheries museum visit, fisherfolk festivals)
  • Popular science of fishing
  • Recreational fisheries activities on sea ranches
  • Ornamental fish keeping and watching
Source: Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

Advantages of Developing Recreational Fisheries in Hong Kong

Source: Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

Advantages of Developing Recreational Fisheries in Hong Kong

Hong Kong was once a fishing port. The culture and community of fisherfolks (including landscape, lifestyle, language, residence, trading, festivals, religions, customs, etc.) reflect unique and precious human values. They are not only an essential part of Hong Kong’s history but also the advantages for the development of recreational fisheries.

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Advantages of Developing Recreational Fisheries in Hong Kong

Profound fisherfolk history and culture

Back in the old days, the flourishing fisheries were the economic lifeline of Hong Kong. “Fisherfolks”, “the water community”, “Hoklo” and “Tanka”, were some of the most significant communities dominating the scene.

Advantages of Developing Recreational Fisheries in Hong Kong

Multifarious styles of fishing ports and fishing villages

Hong Kong had about 20 fishing villages, some of which later transitioned into fishing ports. The eight main fishing ports were in Aberdeen, Shau Kei Wan, Tai O, Cheung Chau, Castle Peak Bay, Tai Po, Sha Tau Kok and Sai Kung. Aberdeen was the most prosperous one among them.

Advantages of Developing Recreational Fisheries in Hong Kong

The geographical advantages of Hong Kong

Hong Kong has a phenomenal amount of coastline and more than 200 islands. Its distinctive features of the geography and hydrology of different waters in the territory, with different marine habitats that contain rich fishery resources.

Advantages of Developing Recreational Fisheries in Hong Kong

Opportunities brought by nature conservation

Huge potential for new recreational development, such as boat tours, due to the existing marine parks and geopark.