PRIMARY PRODUCTION AND MARKETING
95
with green fodder grasses for animal feeding. A wide range of fodder grasses and legumes have been introduced for trial.
FISHERIES
Marine Fish is the main primary product of Hong Kong, and the fishing fleet is the largest of any port in the Colonies. It con- sists of over 8,500 junks of various sizes and designs, and 20 Japanese-type trawlers, 9 of which are of British registry. They are manned by a sea fishing population of approximately 72,000, 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.
In 1958 the Chinese Government imposed restrictions on inshore fishing in Chinese territorial waters. Inshore waters were first defined as waters within the 30 fathoms line, but this was sub- sequently extended. Hong Kong inshore fishermen who have tradi- tionally fished in these waters were allowed to continue provided they conformed with the rules regarding local fishing areas, joined the fishing co-operatives, and marketed 70% of their catch in China.
Hong Kong fishermen reacted very strongly to these impositions. Several thousand junks returned to Hong Kong waters and are endeavouring to eke out a living by fishing the already overfished