Hong Kong fishermen who need help to cope during the annual South China Sea fishing moratorium may apply for low-interest loans and attend training courses to update their skills, the Hong Kong government said Tuesday.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said the fishing ban, starting from June 1 to August 1, will affect about 1,400 local fishing vessels.

It reminded fishermen to take the implications of the annual ban into account when planning their yearly fishing operations.

Under the ban, all fishing activities, except gill-netting, long-lining, hand-lining and cage trapping, will be suspended to conserving fishing resources and promoting the industry's sustainable development.

The fishing moratorium was first implemented in 1999.

Fishermen with genuine financial difficulties may apply for low-interest loans under the Fish Marketing Organization Loan Fund.

During the two-month fishing ban, the department will also arrange training courses for fishermen to update their skills.

(Xinhua News Agency June 1, 2005)