Hong Kong - About 500 fishing boats took part in a waterborne demonstration through Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong Saturday in a protest against high fuel prices which fishermen said was hurting their livelihood.

The trawlers, many carrying red and white banners in English and Chinese, sailed slowly through the harbour in the protest which lasted about three hours.

High-speed ferry services to Macau and China were delayed by the protest but there were no serious incidents.

Fishermen said they wanted the government to provide fuel subsidies to offset the increase in fuel costs, but officials ruled out such a move, saying fuel is already tax-free and the government does not give direct subsidies to specific industries. (dpa)