Environmental pollution and nearly two years of
pandemic has raised people’s awareness of health and food safety, with
nutritional concerns for children and the elderly, and hence the growing
popularity of organic food. Speaking of going organic, many would think about
organic greens, but going organic is more than eating organic vegetables.
Aquaculture products can be organic, too! Local certified aquaculture products*
are natural and pollution-free, fresh and tasty, and loaded with nutrients. For
example, both jade perch and tilapia contain high levels of Omega-3 fatty
acids, which help reduce the risk of heart disease and dementia, another good
alternative for an eco-friendly and healthy diet.
To enhance public awareness about local
organic aquaculture and promote the development of local organic fisheries,
Organic Aquaculture Festival 2021, organized by Hong Kong Organic Resource
Centre (HKORC), will be held on 7 November, 2021 at Stanley Plaza, where Prof.
Jonathan Woon-chung Wong, MH, JP, Director of HKORC will join hands with
valuable guests, including Mr. Patrick Chuen-chi Lai, Assistant Director
(Fisheries) of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Mrs. Sophie
Leung, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Governing Board of HKORC, Mr. Fred Wah-ming Li,
SBS, JP, Member of the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund Advisory
Committee, the Festival’s star ambassadors Mr. Sammy Leung and Ms. Nicola
Cheung to unveil the once-a-year event in the city.
We farm our own fish: the
“Hong Kong Organic Fish” that belongs to Hongkongers
This year’s Organic
Aquaculture Festival, in the theme of “Local Organic”, aims to offer a glimpse
of the local sustainable fisheries and the nutritional value of organic
aquaculture. In fact, the organic fishery is one of the important organic
industries in Hong Kong. As sustainability has become a global trend, Hong Kong
citizens are more eager to adopt a greener and more eco-friendly lifestyle. The
increasing demand for organic and healthy food creates opportunities for the
local organic industries. Low-carbon diet is an integral part of low-carbon
living. Besides choosing local organic agricultural products, local organic
aquaculture also deserves our support.
*There are 16
organic fish farms in Hong Kong, producing more than 20,000 fish every year.
Most Hongkongers know that Hong Kong is
largely dependent on food imports, but very few know that the bustling city
farms its own organic fish. Today, there are a total of 16 organic fish farms
in Hong Kong, producing more than 20,000 fish every year. Organic fish farming
requires certified organic feed, while there are strict requirements regarding
the environment and water quality of the fish ponds. All these lead to the
production of high-quality local organic fish that is safe, delicious, and rich
in nutrients. Buying organic aquaculture products is a way to pursue a
healthier diet and low-carbon living, it also helps promote the development of
local organic fisheries, which in turn will boost other fishery-related
industries, such as wholesale, retail, and logistics, contributing to the
overall economic development of Hong Kong.
Given the
general public’s limited understanding of local certified organic aquaculture,
we hope that by organizing Organic Aquaculture Festival 2021, we could offer
the public an opportunity to know more about local organic fisheries and the
nutritional value of organic aquaculture. We also want to encourage citizens to
adopt a low-carbon lifestyle by buying more local organic fish, and support
local organic fisheries together. Our Centre will continue to promote organic
certification and provide more retail locations so that more citizens are able
to buy fresh, high-quality and safe organic aquaculture products, while
boosting the development of local organic fisheries,” says Prof. Jonathan Wong,
Director of Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre.
*Prof. Jonathan Wong, Director of Hong Kong Organic
Resource Centre
“Organic
Fish Box” and organic
certification work together with local fish farmers to support local organic
fisheries.
Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre Certification Limited (HKORC-Cert) is
the key independent incorporated third-party organic certification agent in
Hong Kong. Since 2002, HKORC-Cert provides certification services for the
agriculture, fisheries, and processing sector in Hong Kong. This year, a new
special edition “Organic Fish Box” is launched to help consumers identify the
genuine aquaculture products.
The ORC-Cert awards certificates of organic
certification to the producers and processors that meet the “ORC-Cert - Organic Production, Aquaculture and Processing
Standard”. With
verification and confirmation by our Certification Board, certified operations
can be authorized to apply the “ORC-Cert
Organic Seals” on their products. At present, there are two organic
certification standards – “IFOAM accredited” and “Non-IFOAM accredited” for
various organic products. Consumers can distinguish the organic products
certified by ORC-Cert in the market with the identification of the seals.
*Local certified aquaculture products
include jade perch, tilapia, mud carp, big head carp, edible goldfish, giant
freshwater prawn, etc. Where to buy: Nine Seafood Place, LocalFresh App by Fish
Marketing Organization, Health Aims
Organic Functional Products Specialty Shop, certified organic fish farm direct
sale (may contact certified aquaculture operations on HKORC-Cert website http://www.hkorc-cert.org）
Prof. Wong adds
that with the huge demand for organic food in Hong Kong, the market has
recorded double-digit growth every year. However, local organic aquaculture,
especially the development of fisheries, is facing a lot of difficulties. The
most obvious one is the difficulty of finding fish feed: “Fish feed is
expensive and in short supply. We need to order fish feed from Denmark. And the
supply may not be available due to the relatively low demand. In Hong Kong, we
prefer raising tilapia, but in Europe and the US, they mainly use organic
salmon feed. Raising fish is more complicated than growing vegetables. It takes
a year to harvest. And if the weather changes during the time, all your effort
and money may go down the drain. Therefore, Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre
is working closely with the sector and various organizations to develop fish
feed that fits local aquaculture. With a steady supply of fish feed, we can
make room for the development of organic fish farming.”
Organic
Aquaculture Festival 2021: a LOHAS Fun Day
In the fog of the pandemic, we may experience life
changes, stress, and anxiety. Don’t forget to make time to unwind while
fighting the coronavirus. Organic Aquaculture Festival is a not-to-miss event
for families and the LOHAS to enjoy a weekend full of fun. The Festival, being
one of the largest organic events in the city, will commence with the main
highlight of the event – the finals of “Local Organic Aquaculture Low-carbon
Cooking Competition”. The two finalists will prepare their mouth-watering
dishes at Stanley Plaza with local organic fish, using low-carbon flameless
cooking method. Our star judges including star chef Mr. Edwin Tsui, notable
food critic and former managing director of Hong Kong Economic Times Mr. Perry
Mak, and food columnist Mr. Ka-kuen Leung will taste and rate the dishes and
announce the winner. Let’s witness the birth of the master chef of local
organic aquaculture!
In addition, an
exhibition on local organic fisheries will be held at the Festival, while our
celebrity guests will bring to you a wave of exciting activities. The
Festival’s ambassador and celebrity mum Ms. Nicola Cheung will return to the
stage and sing with the band FreshLife and the growing-up Sister Maxim Celine,
promoting green living with beautiful singing. Nicola will also share her low
carbon living tips and interact with the audience in the Q&A session!
After the wonderful music performance,
parents can participate in multiple booth games with their kids, giving the
little ones a fun way to enrich their knowledge of organic aquaculture and
environmental protection. There are also check-in spots at the event where
couples can share PDA moment, while families can create warm memories with
lovely family pictures!
The Festival has invited a number of local
organic fish farms, including Organic Marine Aquaculture Development Pilot
Project, Fu Kum Organic Dragon Fruit Farm, Saiyuen, Ming Fai Garden, etc. to
set up booths for selling organic aquaculture products at the event. There are
also booths by five local organic certified farms and four organic retailers to
offer seasonal organic vegetables and other organic food and products.
Save the date for Organic Aquaculture
Festival 2021 and join us for a fun-filled day on 7 November. Let’s support
local organic aquaculture and embrace green low-carbon living!
Event Details:
Organic
Aquaculture Festival 2021
Time:
11am – 6pm
Date: 7 November, Sunday
Venue: Stanley Plaza
Event Enquiries:
Tel: (852)
3411 2384
Email: hkorc@hkbu.edu.hk
Website: http://www.hkorc.org/
Facebook: Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre (HKORC)