After three days of suspension of freshwater fish supply from mainland, fish imports from Shunde to Hong Kong will begin from today, even as the local fisheries industry had been unaware of the latest development.

According to a report by the China News Service, the Shunde authorities yesterday decided to restart exports of freshwater fish to Hong Kong and Macao. Three fish farms in Shunde, who are qualified direct exporters, will resume their supplies of fresh water fish to Hong Kong today.

The report quoted a spokesperson of the Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, who stated that the authorities had conducted thorough check-ups of freshwater fish before exports.

"None of the samples was found to be contaminated. The administration has not issued the suspension notice," said the spokesperson.

However, the fisheries industries in both Hong Kong and Shunde seemed to be unaware of the development and were not clear about the quantity of resumed supplies.

Tommy Hui Hon-man, of the Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories Freshwater Fish Wholesale Association, said they had received no details about the freshwater fish imports from Shunde.

"Our industry is losing HK$7-10 million a day at present. I haven't heard anything about the resumption and I don't see the problem being resolved yet," said Hui.

The quantity of supplies may also fall by 50 to 70 per cent, meaning a significant drop in business for local fish vendors. The prices of Shunde freshwater fish may also rise by 10 per cent or above, he added.

A spokesperson of the Shunde seafood exporters association said that traders in Shunde had received no details of the resumption, while the person in-charge was in Hong Kong, possibly making the necessary arrangements.

Meanwhile, industry professionals in both Hong Kong and Shunde urged the governments to adopt a uniform test for mainland freshwater fish, so as to facilitate future coordination.

Chairman of LegCo's Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene Fred Li welcomed the resumption of import of mainland freshwater fish.

Li stated that he believed in the quarantine by registered fish farms in the mainland, as most of the contaminated samples of fresh water fish were found in unregistered fish farms.

"The government should also work with the Hong Kong Custom in tackling problem fish entering Hong Kong through improper channels, such as having officers stationed at the Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market," Li said.