Hong Kong Sets Up Fishermen Claims Appeal Board: 861 Allowance Applications From 25 Marine Works Projects, 3 Appeals Filed
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced on November 1 the establishment of the Fishermen Claims Appeal Board (FCAB) to process ex-gratia allowance (EGA) appeal cases from owners of fishing vessels not exceeding 15 metres in length who are affected by marine works projects in the north-eastern waters of Hong Kong. Hong Kong fishermen who disagree with the Inter-departmental Working Group's decisions on the amount of allowance approved or on their eligibility may now appeal through the new board.
The FCAB is a non-statutory body set up on an ad hoc basis, comprising one non-official Chairperson and four non-official members. Mr Yeung Ming-tai has been appointed Chairperson, and the members are Mr Au Pak-ching, Dr Chung Shan-shan, Mr Ling Man-sum and Mr Tam Kin-lok. The appointments take immediate effect and will last until the completion of work on all appeals.
The Government operates an established mechanism to grant EGA to eligible owners of fishing vessels affected by marine works projects. An Inter-departmental Working Group set up by the Government handled EGA applications arising from a total of 25 marine works projects in the north-eastern waters of Hong Kong and received 861 applications during the registration period.
Three applicants have so far filed appeals against the Working Group's decisions, one concerning the amount approved and two concerning eligibility, and the FCAB will hear these cases. Under its terms of reference, the board will examine any new or additional information and evidence provided by the appellants or the relevant departments, consider whether to uphold or revise the Working Group's decisions, and determine the amount of EGA payable where appropriate.
Source: Hong Kong SAR Government press release, issued at 11:00 a.m. on November 1, 2026
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：香港海港的船只（资料图）。照片：Syced，CC0，经 Wikimedia Commons。Photo: Boats in a Hong Kong harbour (file photo). Photo: Syced, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
