Eric Bohm, chief executive of WWF Hong Kong, wrote the missive criticizing Tang - who is composing the city's annual budget - for not making enough time to learn about the need to manage marine life in the South China Sea, despite being contacted about the problem on November 24.

"It has become increasingly obvious to us the government seems to hope the problem will just go away, which it will, but with devastating consequences," Bohm said in the letter forwarded to Chief Executive Donald Tsang, Health, Welfare and Food Secretary York Chow and Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works Sarah Liao.

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Last year, Bohm gave a presentation on the issue to Tsang, but the financial secretary did not show up.

WWF said "no-take zones" need to be created in Tolo Harbour, Port Shelter and marine parks surrounding Hong Kong. But Bohm said the government contends this "would be economically and politically too difficult to achieve."

The letter argues that these areas could attract tourism, and that "this potential ... value can only be unlocked if a rich and diverse marine life can be restored."

It also called on the city to ban bottom trawling, reduce fish wastage and compensate fishermen for being more responsible.

Warning of the consequences of unsustainable fishing, the letter cites the devastating experience Newfoundland, Canada, went through.

Newfoundland shocked marine biologists and fishermen when its cod populations vanished in the 1990s due to overfishing, ending a 400-year-old trade that sustained the area's economy.

One issue that has been the bane of many marine scientists and fishing restrictions advocates is that money and technology made available to fishermen only improve their hauls, but generally do little to encourage sustainable practices.

WWF is calling the Hong Kong administration to task for this kind of attitude.

"It is acting against the public interest and is in breach of its commitment to comply with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries," Bohm wrote.

According to that agreement, communities with fisheries should reduce fish wastage and conduct monitoring programs to ensure that illegal or unsustainable fishing practices do not become commonplace.

But in many parts of the world, they are already commonplace.

According to Daily Telegraph editor Charles Clover, who wrote a book about global fishing practices, fishermen have learned to outwit the system.

In some cases, they illegally fly flags from different countries, or only go into port in countries with lax monitoring systems and governments that do not enforce fisheries conduct laws.

Tang's office did not respond to questions.