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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
It consists of over 6,000 junks, of various sizes and designs, and 31 Japanese-type trawlers, eleven of which are of British registry. They are manned by a sea fishing population of approximately 57,000, chiefly Tanka, operating from various ports and fishing centres, the most important of which are Aberdeen and Shau Kei Wan (on Hong Kong Island), Cheung Chau, Tai O, Tai Po and Sai Kung.
Junks are built locally from imported timber, of which China fir is the most popular. Due to continued shortages of fir, however, more teak and yacal have been used. About 95% of the fleet is owner-operated, the rest being owner- directed by fish dealers and fishing companies.
The inshore fishing grounds for purse seiners, gill netters, shrimp trawlers and small liners are confined to the waters south of the Colony up to 20 fathoms. The bigger junk trawlers and long liners have gradually extended their area of operation and now work in waters from 30 - 70 fathoms along the coast of Kwangtung, from 111° 30′ to 116° E. and 20° to 22° 30′ N. A large number of these deep-sea vessels are sailing craft, and during the typhoon season, from July to October, their crews occupy themselves with repairing junks, nets, rigging, sails and equipment.
The mechanized fleet increased from 1,342 to 2,173 vessels in 1957, the major increases being among small long liners, purse seine net boats and shrimp trawlers. The total quantity of fish landed was 46,609 tons (valued at about $51,000,000), as compared with 40,451 tons in 1956. The increase in pro- duction was due to the greater number of mechanized vessels and to the good catches obtained by the large junk trawlers and long liners.
Further statistical data on the fishing industry are given below, under Marketing.
Oyster-beds and fish ponds. Oyster culture in this region has a tradition of 700 years behind it. The principal area concerned is Deep Bay where, from the 4,575 acres on the New Territories side of the Bay, a total of 1,286.8 tons of
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