The 10th New Territories Fishpond Festival Exhibition
Boarding the Breeze
To settle or to soar.
As the autumn breeze touches the ground, local fishermen and migratory birds reunite every year over the fishponds in Hong Kong.
These are no new stories or ground-breaking insights, but let us spread our wings, board the breeze and take flight into the land of fishponds, listening to the wind whispering its tales. Cast your eyes on the maps of the fishponds, the old and the new, and see past the memory. Meet some friendly fishermen, let their stories and the voices of your heart guide you along the way.
There may be some answers you would like to seek, or some wishes you hope to be fulfilled. But first, look at the signs, gaze upon the endless sky and the boundless land, and let yourself embrace the unknown.
Let go of your worry for tomorrow. Just board the breeze, savour the freshness of it all, and yearn for the first light from the dawn of tomorrow.
At the end of the exhibition, pack your ID and ticket, along with your purest desire, into your backpack, let us board the breeze with the migratory birds.
Journey to Fishponds -
Fishponds in the eyes of bird. What do you see?
The area around Deep Bay first saw the application of gei wais (inter-tidal shrimp ponds) in the 1920s, with the tides being the key element of this farming practice cultivating fish and shrimps. Some of the gei wais were later converted into freshwater fishponds, seeing the continuation of this traditional aquaculture method to this day. With its long farming history, this land has been naturally shaped into the contour we see today. The techniques of aquaculture of freshwater fish and gei wai operation are among the list of 51 Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong in the domain of Traditional Craftsmanship.
Fishponds in Hong Kong Northwest New Territories are of significant ecological value. Most of them fall within the area designated by the Town Planning Board as Wetland Conservation Area and Wetland Buffer Area. Part of the fishponds are even located in the Ramsar Site. Hong Kong also sits on the migration route known as the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Every year during autumn and winter, the wetlands in the Deep Bay region attract tens of thousands of wintering waterbirds.
Black-faced Spoonbill E29 has arrived Hong Kong in winter, casting its eyes on fishpond wetlands in Hong Kong Northwest New Territories. While spreading its wings and boarding the breeze, what does it see in the eyes of bird? Mullet-kun may have the answers.
Keepers of Serenity -
Look into the tapestry of memories.
Step across the threshold of timelessness.
The migratory birds return every year to visit their good friends - the fishermen and conservationists. As the years go by, the memories remain. Through photos of the past and present, these beautiful moments are preserved and become eternal.
Fish farming allowed me to provide for my five children and four grandchildren. It strengthens the bond within my family in ways nothing else could, and that is why I love my job.
Auntie Lan was born and raised in Tai Sang Wai, Yuen Long, and married a young fella in the same village. Since 1973, she and her husband have been engaged in freshwater fish farming in Tai Sang Wai. Despite the original area being redeveloped into a large housing estate, they moved to the current Tai Sang Wai village, continuing their dedicated fish farming for over fifty years.
Since the launch of Hong Kong Fishpond Conservation Scheme, Auntie Lan and her husband, Mr. Chan, have worked closely with the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society. For 12 years, they took part in educational activities as local fishermen, passing on their knowledge about cultivating pond fish and the tales of the industry.
Between 2017 and 2019, the couple collaborated with HKBWS in exploring eco-friendly aquaculture methods, opening doors for local pond fish farming industry. With their effort, the couple hopes to contribute to preserving habitats for birds, while ensuring future generations can still enjoy such beautiful landscapes.
Look! There’s a little kingfisher, it always perches there!
Through years of collaboration, Uncle Yau gradually developed an interest in birdwatching and even became a member of HKBWS. He has been a dedicated supporter of the Society’s educational work. His store, Uncle Yau's Store, which he personally manages and beautifies, becomes Nam Sang Wai Fishpond Education Kiosk during the autumn and winter, the seasons with a surge in bird migratory. The Kiosk offers the perfect space to promote fisheries and ecological knowledge to the public, allowing us to share the joy of birdwatching.
Even after years of spending time at the fishponds enjoying the view, he never grows tired of it. Occasionally, when rare bird species stop by, he becomes curious and looks up books and asks around to learn more about these birds. 'I didn’t know them before, but now, when I see them, I’m so happy,' Uncle Yau added.
Every year, Uncle Yau also collaborates with HKBWS to produce the one-of-a-kind dried mullet in Hong Kong market. Using locally sourced pond fish, he applies his unique curing method and sun-dries the fish. The subtle saltiness and umami of the dried fish have attracted many citizens over the years and have kept many returning customers.
Pond profiling takes skill! You have to plan everything beforehand, from how to distribute the pond soil. That's where the fun lies.
Kwok-sun's father originally worked in the freshwater fish farming industry in Tin Shui Wai. Kwok-sun married a local girl from Tin Shui Wai when he was young and, with great determination, gave up his job as a glass factory foreman and took over two fishponds, which he managed with his wife. Together, they worked tirelessly - cutting grass, feeding the fish, herding ducks, catching fry, and transporting the fish. In 1986, due to the development of the new town in Tin Shui Wai, Kwok-sun's family moved from their home of nearly twenty years and began anew at San Tin fishpond, continuing their fish farming business.
In the early days of Hong Kong’s fishponds, profiling and excavation were all done manually. Kwok-sun learned to operate a bulldozer in his youth, and was one of the pioneers in Hong Kong who applied machinery to assist with pond dredging. Today, Kwok-sun is one of the few skilled pond dredging experts left in the city.
He skillfully operates a bulldozer to turn over the pond soil, exposes it to sunlight for disinfection, then utilises the disinfected soil to reshape the pond bund to the ideal slope, reinforcing the pond bund. His work is essential for maintaining freshwater pond fish farming operations.
We are all dedicated to helping the fishermen. I feel most satisfied whenever I could be of assistance. We must help the industry!
Chau was born into a fish farmer family. His father's generation began constructing embankments on the mudflats in Luen Hing Wai and Nam Sang Wai in Yuen Long during the early 1940s. Chau followed his father into the business from a young age. As the gei wais later expanded to Lut Chau, they reconstructed the gei wais into fishponds and eventually extended the operations to San Tin.
Chau believes there are no bounds in learning about fish farming, and he proudly says, 'Fish farming is my greatest passion. When I see the fish growing and thriving, and when they are fed well, it brings me immense joy.' Nowadays, his son has begun taking over the business, For Chau, the key to running a business is, 'It doesn’t matter if I don’t earn money, but one must keep their promises.'
Since the 1980s, Chau became actively involved in the affairs of Hong Kong New Territories Fish Culture Association. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to the local fish farming industry for nearly four decades, contributing tirelessly. He was elected Chairman of the Association for six consecutive terms, determined to stand up and advocate for the fishing industry. In 2018, Chau was awarded the Medal of Honour (M.H.) in recognition of his contributions to the fishing industry and his lifelong dedication to fish farming.
Fishpond wetlands are important habitats for migratory birds. The ecological value of fishponds that operated in traditional fish farming methods is just as significant as that of the Mai Po Nature Reserve. Hong Kong has an international responsibility to protect these habitats.
Since 1988, Yu Yat-tung has dedicated over twenty years to bird research. Graduated with a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Hong Kong, he is currently the Director of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society. His love for birdwatching comes from the joy of seeing birds arriving from afar, reminding him of the vastness of the world. His birdwatching journeys have taken him around the globe, expanding his horizons. However, his most important mission remains protecting Hong Kong’s avifauna.
Began in 2003, Yu Yat-tung has been committed to organising the International Black-faced Spoonbill Census, working alongside conservationists worldwide to protect Black-faced Spoonbills. Their efforts have helped increase the global population of Black-faced Spoonbills, which numbered around 300 in the 1980s, to nearly 7,000 in 2024.
Fly with birds -
Soaring Through the Sky
Inspired by the whimsical vehicle "Catbus / Nekobus" in the animation, the imaginative "Spoonbill-bus" is created, which carries the four bird protagonists of the exhibition on a magical and exciting journey.
Click on the bird passport image below to read about the birds' migration stories.
Please visit the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society office in viewing the bird passport picture book in person.
Bird’s-eye View of the Fishpond –
Memories of the Fishpond Scenery
Flight allows us to see the world like birds do, from above.
By comparing aerial maps, we can reflect on the changes in fishpond landscapes, preserving memories of what once was or what may soon disappear.
Please visit Hong Kong Bird Watching Society office in viewing the aerial photo in person.
Soar and Settle -
A Twelve-Year Journey of Fishpond Conservation
The Hong Kong Fishpond Conservation Scheme has been running for twelve years. Led by the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, the Society has worked continuously with local fish farmers and fishpond operators since 2012 to carry out habitat management of nearly 550 hectares of fishponds in the northwestern New Territories. The Scheme has improved and raised the ecological value of these fishponds, providing more habitats and food sources for waterbirds. In recent years, the Society has also been actively promoting the conservation of fishponds and raising awareness of locally produced freshwater fish.
The Scheme continues today. The Society strives to achieve the objectives of the Management Agreement - to enable all, including human, birds and other living organisms, to meet their needs and attain a state of equilibrium.
We understand that the relationship between waterbirds and fishponds is deeply interconnected, with waterbirds relying on fishponds as feeding and foraging grounds. Over the last twelve years, the Society has kept exploring new methods to ensure the sustainability of traditional freshwater fish farming and to protect the ecological value of fishponds for waterbirds.
With all that has happened, we are pleased to share the results of these twelve years of effort.
Production: Frigatefilms
Frigatefilms is a natural history production company based in Hong Kong. We are a small team of award-winning visual storytellers who made it their goal to share and celebrate the stories of our natural world.
Set Sail with the Breeze -
Cherish the Last Remaining Fishpond Wetlands
Fishponds in Deep Bay hold significant historical and ecological value in Hong Kong. Not only are they the core of pond fish farming but also a roosting and foraging paradise for migratory birds flying on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Thanks to the persistent hard work of fishermen, these fishponds remain a vibrant and, buzzing habitat. The proper management of these fishponds has attracted many migratory birds to spend their winter in Hong Kong, offering us a rare opportunity to see this magnificent sight of bird migration. With our shared fond memories of Hong Kong fishponds, let us protect the beauty and value of Deep Bay for our avian friends
After taking a walk down memory lane, it is time for us to gaze into the future. We sincerely hope that fishermen will pass on their knowledge in pond fish farming for generations, and that more people will support local fishermen and the brands of eco-friendly fishing practices. When we enjoy locally farmed fish, let us also appreciate the local culture and the warmth of humanity that it stands for. May the 'fish' be with you and every household in Hong Kong.
We will endeavour to protect this piece of paradise, hoping that migratory birds will continue to board the breeze to find joy in the fishponds, allowing our future generations to board the breeze and enjoy the splendour of fishponds, Black-faced Spoonbills, and other beautiful migratory birds.
The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society has steadfastly sustained the 'Hong Kong Fishpond Conservation Scheme' for 12 years. A decade has passed since the first annual 'New Territories Fishpond Festival' in 2014, we have consistently and steadily worked towards our vision - People and birds living in harmony as nature continues to thrive. We are sincerely grateful for the dedication of fishermen over the years. We look forward to proudly saying, as we do now, 'There are fishponds in Hong Kong'.
2014-2015
The 1st Fishpond Festival
Hong Kong Got Fishpond
2019
The 5th Fishpond Festival
A Century of Cultivation,
Infinite Vitality
2015-2016
The 2nd Fishpond Festival
Collage of Deep Bay
2021、2022
The 6th & 7th Fishpond Festival
Warmness and Friendliness of Fishpond
2024
The 9th Fishpond Festival
Stay Hungry, Stay Fishery
2017
The 3rd Fishpond Festival
Eat Local
2022
10th Anniversary of Fishpond Conservation
Fishpond For Flyway
2025
The 10th Fishpond Festival
Boarding the Breeze
2018
The 4th Fishpond Festival
Through the Years of the Fishpond
2023
The 8th Fishpond Festival
Being Prosperous
This exhibition was previously held at Central Market from January 11 to 12, 2025.
To learn more about Hong Kong fishponds and bird conservation, please visit the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society website.
Curator: Hong Kong Bird Watching Society
Illustrator: The Common Map
