A Digital Highway for Hong Kong’s Marine Fish Culture

Digital Front Door

Marine fish culture is regulated under the Marine Fish Culture Ordinance (Cap. 353), which requires operations to be licensed in designated zones. Following the full digitalisation of new licence applications, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has further launched the Digital Licensing Platform (the Platform). Integrated with “iAM Smart”, the Platform enables licensees and authorised persons to manage their Marine Fish Culture Licences online. The streamlined process can be completed on a desktop PC or by scanning the licence QR code with a mobile phone.

Lowering Modernisation Barriers

The Platform delivers three key business benefits. First, it lowers barriers to entry by making it easier to review licence status and submit applications online. Structured forms guide users through the application process, providing a user-friendly application experience.

Second, it supports the transition to sustainable, higher‑value mariculture. As new fish culture zones and government‑supported cages are introduced, the Platform provides a seamless path for operators to adopt modern, environmentally compliant practices and access premium markets.

Policy Enabler Beyond Technology

Third, the Platform enhances transparency and trust. Licensees and their authorised persons can view licence information and track licence status through a single login. For AFCD, it improves data quality, speeds up processing and strengthens monitoring, signalling that mariculture is a modern, well‑regulated industry supported by digital tools.

The Platform is a policy enabler beyond technology upgrade. By simplifying and speeding up licence management, AFCD supports innovation and growth while advancing smart government development. It shows how well‑designed digital services reduce regulatory burden and unlock new opportunities.

Click here for more details and to access the Digital Licensing Platform for Marine Fish Culture Licence.

[Acknowledgement to AFCD for providing material for the story.]