The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, June 11, 2020 is 107.6 (up 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     An annular solar eclipse, with the solar eclipse zone stretching across Asia and Africa, will occur on June 21 (Sunday), but it will be visible as a partial solar eclipse in Hong Kong. As the elevation of the sun will be rather high during the eclipse, the event can be best observed at places with an unobstructed view towards the west if weather permits.
      
     The eclipse will begin at 2.37pm and end at 5.25pm, with the maximum eclipse occurring at 4.08pm. The path of the sun and the moon during this partial solar eclipse is indicated in the Annex.
      
     Details of this partial solar eclipse are set out in the following table:
           

 
     During this solar eclipse, Hong Kong will be close to the path of annularity. The magnitude of the eclipse will be 0.89, meaning that 89 per cent of the sun's diameter will be obscured by the moon at the maximum eclipse. This is the solar eclipse with the largest magnitude visible since 2012, and a solar eclipse with an even larger magnitude will not occur until 2070.
      
     To avoid severe eye damage, members of the public should never look directly at the sun with the naked eye nor through a telescope. A safer method is to project the sun's image through a pinhole or a telescope onto a piece of white paper or cardboard and view the projected image. An illustration of the method is given on the website of the Hong Kong Observatory: www.hko.gov.hk/en/gts/event/event-solar-eclps16.htm.
      
     Members of the public can watch the whole event via a webcast to be jointly provided by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre (sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen), Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling College and the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Solar Tower‧Camp on the following webpage: www.hko.gov.hk/en/gts/event/webcast-20200621.htm.
      
     For the latest weather conditions and the astronomical observation conditions on June 21, please refer to the nine-day weather forecast issued by the Hong Kong Observatory (www.hko.gov.hk/en/wxinfo/currwx/fnd.htm) and the Weather Information for Astronomical Observation webpage (www.hko.gov.hk/en/gts/astronomy/astro_portal.html).
      
     A detailed explanation of the technical terms used for different stages of the eclipse and past solar eclipses observable in Hong Kong are also available at the Hong Kong Observatory's webpage: www.hko.gov.hk/en/gts/event/event-solar-eclps1.htm.
      
     The next solar eclipse visible in Hong Kong will be on April 20, 2023, which will only be barely observable.
 

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 ZA Bank 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 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 The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited on fraudulent website and phishing email, 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.

     In view of a commercial fishing ban imposed on four specified marine parks, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (June 11) that an ex-gratia payment will be granted to eligible fishermen affected by the commercial fishing ban. Registration for an ex-gratia allowance (EGA) will start on June 18.
 
     A spokesman for the AFCD said that under the new fisheries management strategy in marine parks, commercial fishing by local fishing vessels registered under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171) should be allowed to continue in the Brothers Marine Park, Southwest Lantau Marine Park and new marine parks to be designated in the western waters through the marine park fishing permit system. To protect coral communities as well as to enhance the overall fisheries resources in Hong Kong, commercial fishing will be banned in four specified marine parks, namely Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park (HHWMP), Yan Chau Tong Marine Park (YCTMP) and Tung Ping Chau Marine Park (TPCMP) in the eastern waters and Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park (SCLKCMP) in the western waters.
 
     A transitional period of two years will be provided under the commercial fishing ban for the four specified marine parks for fishermen to adapt. The AFCD has no longer granted new fishing permits for HHWMP, YCTMP, TPCMP and SCLKCMP since April 1. Existing fishing permits will not be renewed with validity periods beyond the transitional period, i.e. by March 31, 2022. The above-mentioned commercial fishing ban is not applicable to fishing permits granted to local residents.
 
     An Inter-departmental Working Group (IWG), co-ordinated by the AFCD and comprising representatives from the Marine Department and the Home Affairs Department, has been set up to handle all matters relating to processing of EGA applications from the affected fishermen permit holders.
 
     Affected fishermen permit holders are invited to attend the EGA registration sessions from June 18 to July 31. An applicant must hold a fisherman fishing permit for the specified marine parks, and the fishing permit must remain valid on or after April 1, 2020. 
 
     For details of the EGA registration arrangement, please refer to the AFCD website at www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_mar/cou_vis_mar_mpp/ega_registration.html. Affected fishermen permit holders will be notified on the assigned registration session individually by registered mail. 
 
     For enquiries, please call the IWG secretariat at 3468 3446 or 3468 3447 during office hours.