(HONG KONG, 10 August 2020) – A total of HK$11.2 million have been granted to 10 projects by the independent Marine Ecology Enhancement Fund (MEEF) and Fisheries Enhancement Fund (FEF) for a 12-month period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021. The funded projects are managed and conducted by universities, research organisations and associations from the fisheries industry, among others. Four multi-year projects have been granted funding for their second phase.
Under the MEEF, some HK$3.9 million has been granted to five projects, with research subjects including mangrove forests, cetaceans in Hong Kong waters, marine vessel interactions with Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins and Indo-Pacific finless porpoises, and the impact of marine noise on Chinese white Dolphins.
Under the FEF, five projects focusing on areas such as enhancing safety in fisheries work and sustainable aquaculture have received a total of about HK$7.4 million.
Applications to the MEEF and FEF are reviewed and approved by independently operated Management Committees (MCs) based on criteria related to the proposed projects’ objectives, past performance, methodology, manpower, resources and budget. MC members comprise scholars and experts from related fields as well as representatives from green groups and fishermen’s associations. The progress and outcomes of the funded projects are monitored by their respective MCs.
Now in their fourth year, the MEEF and FEF are independent funds set up in accordance with the conditions of the Environmental Permit for the expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into Three-runway System, with the aim of enhancing the marine environment, ecology and fisheries resources in the vicinity of the project area. The Airport Authority has injected a total of HK$400 million into the MEEF and FEF since the establishment of the Funds in 2017.
More details about the projects can be found at: