The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) released seven green turtles in the southern waters of Hong Kong today (June 22).
 
     Three of the green turtles were seized by the AFCD in previous enforcement operations, while the other four were rescued in the waters near Yung Shue Au, Tai Long Sai Wan and Wu Kai Sha respectively. The seven green turtles were then accommodated temporarily at Ocean Park Hong Kong (OPHK). They were assessed by veterinarians of OPHK and were under constant monitoring and veterinary care.
 
     An AFCD spokesman said, "The weights of the seven green turtles released today range from 7 to 48 kilograms, and the lengths of their carapaces vary from 39 to 76 centimetres. All seven green turtles were assessed by veterinarians of OPHK as being in good condition and ready to return to the sea. The department is thankful to the veterinarians and staff of OPHK for taking care of them."
 
     Before the green turtles were released to the sea, the AFCD had tagged each of them with a microchip and Inconel tags for future identification. A satellite transmitter was also attached to the carapace of each of the turtles. By tracking the movement and feeding grounds of green turtles in the sea, the AFCD can collect data for formulating appropriate conservation measures and will share its findings with other conservation authorities for better conservation of green turtles through concerted efforts.
 
     The green turtle is a globally endangered species and is to date the only sea turtle species known to nest locally. In Hong Kong, all wild turtles (including sea turtles) are protected by the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170). No person shall, except in accordance with a special permit, hunt or wilfully disturb, possess, sell or export sea turtles (including nests and eggs). Otherwise, they will be liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year. The specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction.
 
     In addition, all sea turtle species are listed in Appendix I to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) (the Ordinance) in Hong Kong. The import, export, re-export or possession of specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance is an offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years, and the specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction.
 
     Members of the public are urged to report any sighting of sea turtles or suspected irregularities involving sea turtles to the AFCD on 1823.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank of Communications (Hong Kong) Limited on fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the website should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The programme "On Sounds, Colours, Images and Forms" multimedia lecture-performance series (II) presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, originally scheduled for November 2019, March and April 2020, has been rescheduled to 7.30pm from July 21 to July 24 (Tuesday to Friday) at Black Box Theatre, Kwai Tsing Theatre. Patrons with original tickets may attend the lecture(s) on the same topic(s) in July.
 
     Patrons who cannot attend the rescheduled lecture(s) should take their original intact ticket(s) with stubs to the URBTIX Box Office of Kwai Tsing Theatre for ticket refunds no later than June 30 (Tuesday). Late applications will not be accepted. For details, please visit www.urbtix.hk/internet/en_US/newsDetail/167774.
 
     Tickets for each of the rescheduled lectures priced at $80 (free seating) are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk).
 
     The series is hosted by scenographer and singing bowl artist Tsang Man-tung and will feature lectures in Cantonese from four speakers.
 
     Each lecture will feature an interactive performance, and each of the four speakers will use their respective multi-media medium as well as a singing bowl performance to explore artistic expressions relating to sounds, colours, images and forms. The host and speakers will also discuss how elements of physical movements, sounds, images, light and shadows can merge to form a new spatial realm on the performance stage.
 
     Details of the lectures are as follows:
 
July 21 （Tuesday）
Topic: "Images"
Speaker: Cheung King-wai
 
July 22 （Wednesday）
Topic: "Colours"
Speaker: anothermountainman (Stanley Wong)
 
July 23 （Thursday）
Topic: "Forms"
Speaker: Koala Yip
 
July 24 （Friday）
Topic: "Sounds"
Speaker: Choi Sai-ho
 
     For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/multi_arts/programs_979.html.

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (June 22) that the application numbers of the 1 500 personalised vehicle registration mark (PVRM) applications selected by lot for the 42nd exercise have been published on its website (www.td.gov.hk) and posted on the notice boards of the TD's licensing offices.
 
     "The applicants have already been sent an acknowledgement of receipt bearing an application number. They may check the list to see whether their applications have been selected. Applicants will also be notified of the ballot results by post in batches," a department spokesman said.
 
     The department will later check the proposed PVRMs selected against the basic combination requirements. If, among the selected applications, more than one applicant proposes the same PVRM, only the one on which the lot falls first out of those applications will be further processed.
 
     If the selected PVRMs meet the basic requirements, the TD will send notices by registered mail to the applicants in batches, requiring them to pay a deposit of $5,000 within the period specified in the notice. If an applicant fails to pay the deposit within that period, his or her application will be cancelled automatically and will not be further processed.
 
     Upon receipt of the deposit, the Commissioner for Transport will determine, with the assistance of a vetting committee, whether an application should be approved or rejected. PVRMs approved in the 42nd exercise will be put up for auction in batches. Auction details will be published in newspapers and on the TD's website in due course.
 
     For enquiries, applicants can call TD Hotline at 2804 2600.

     A Vietnamese illegal worker holding a recognisance form was jailed by Shatin Magistrates' Courts on June 19.

     During an anti-illegal worker operation conducted on May 13, Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators raided a restaurant in Sheung Wan. A male Vietnamese illegal worker, aged 31, was arrested while working as a kitchen worker. Upon identity checking, he produced for inspection a recognisance form issued by the ImmD, which prohibits him from taking employment. Further investigation revealed that he was a non-refoulement claimant. An employer suspected of employing the illegal worker was also arrested and the investigation is ongoing.

     The illegal worker was charged at Shatin Magistrates' Courts on June 19 with taking employment after landing in Hong Kong unlawfully and remaining in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration or while being a person in respect of whom a removal order or deportation order was in force. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment. Meanwhile, he was also charged with one count of using a false instrument and was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment. All sentences are to run concurrently, making a total of 15 months' imprisonment.
 
     The ImmD spokesman warned that, as stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order are prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment. The Court of Appeal has issued a guideline ruling that a sentence of 15 months' imprisonment should be applied in such cases. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to make, possess or use false instruments. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment.

     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for three years and a fine of $350,000. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence. According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. The maximum penalty for failing to inspect such a document is imprisonment for one year and a fine of $150,000.

     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct initial screening on vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers who are arrested during any operation, with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments.