Hong Kong sets up appeal panel for fishermen's compensation over marine projects
Hong Kong has formed an appeal committee to handle disputes over special allowances for fishermen affected by 25 marine engineering projects in the city's northeastern waters. The non-statutory body will hear three appeals and is chaired by Yang Mingti.
The Hong Kong government has established a Fishermen's Special Allowance Appeal Committee to handle cases related to marine engineering projects in the city's northeastern waters. The non-statutory body, formed on an as-needed basis, consists of a non-official chairman and four non-official members. Yang Mingti has been appointed chairman, with members including Au Pak-ching, Dr. Chung San-san, Ling Man-sun and Tam Kin-lok. The appointments take immediate effect and will remain in force until all appeal cases are resolved.
The government has existing mechanisms to provide special allowances to eligible fishing vessel owners affected by marine projects. An inter-departmental working group was set up to process allowance applications for 25 marine engineering projects in Hong Kong's northeastern waters. During the registration period, the working group received 861 applications.
Applicants dissatisfied with the working group's decisions on their allowance amounts or eligibility can appeal to the committee. The government has received three appeals against the working group's decisions: one concerning the approved amount and two regarding eligibility. The appeal committee will conduct hearings on these cases.
The committee's terms of reference include hearing and considering appeals against the working group's decisions on eligibility or allowance amounts, based on government policy for compensating fishing vessel owners affected by marine projects. It will also review new or additional evidence provided by appellants or government departments, and decide whether to uphold or amend the working group's decisions, including determining appropriate allowance amounts where applicable.
