98
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
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 twenty 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° 31′ 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 restrictions imposed in 1958 by the Chinese People's Gov- ernment on inshore fishing in Chinese territorial waters remained in force throughout the year under review, the quotas of fish to be landed in China by Hong Kong based vessels varying from time to time.
The mechanized fleet increased from 2,287 to 2,366 vessels in 1959, the major increases being among small long liners, purse seine net boats and shrimp trawlers. The total quantity of fish and sea food products marketed was 49,893 tons (valued at $57,142,637), as compared with 44,906 tons in 1958.
Further statistical data on the fishing industry are given below, under Marketing.
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Oyster-beds and Fish Ponds. Oyster culture in this region has a tradition of 700 years behind it. The principal area is Deep Bay where, from the 6,060 acres on the New Territories side of the Bay, a total of 905 tons of fresh oyster meat, valued at about $1,500,000, was produced in 1959. The bulk of this was processed into dried meat and into oyster juice, and, following certification of local origin by the Fisheries Division staff, was exported.
The Pearl Culture (Control) Ordinance which was enacted during 1958 permitted commercial operations on pearl culture to commence in Tolo Harbour during the year.
Additional land was converted into fish ponds in 1959, bringing the total area devoted to fish culture in the New Territories up to some 557 acres. The estimated production of carp and mullet was 297 tons, valued at $1,450,000 as against 500 tons in 1958. This decrease was largely due to the shortage of grey mullet fry to stock the ponds.