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PRIMARY PRODUCTION
remainder on grassland in the vicinity of the forests. Most fires were due to the carelessness of members of the public.
FISHING
Administration. Government's aim is to foster the orderly expan- sion and development of the fishing industry, to increase supplies of fish to meet the needs of an expanding population and to improve the economic status of those engaged in the industry. A Fisheries Division was established in 1952 under the administration of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Department and, in the same year, a Fisheries Research Unit was formed by the University of Hong Kong. A Fisheries Advisory Committee, on which both were represented, co-ordinated matters of common interest; the Co-operative Development Department, which was responsible for the supervision of fishermen's co-operative societies and the administration of the Fish Marketing Organization, also took part.
There were disadvantages in this divided responsibility and in July 1960 Government decided, with the agreement of the University, to set up a single authority to direct fisheries activities. The Co-operative Development and Fisheries Department was established, and the Fisheries Division was transferred to it; a month later the Fisheries Research Unit, now known as the Fisheries Research Station, was incorporated in the new Depart- ment. As fresh water pond fisheries in Hong Kong are closely connected with land utilization, extension work on commercial fish ponds remained with the Agriculture and Forestry Department, although the basic research work into pond fisheries is the respon- sibility of the new department.
Marine fisheries extension activities include investigations into, and demonstrations of, fishing methods, craft and fishing gear; the introduction of new fishing techniques; the promotion and sound development of a mechanization programme; the training of fisher- men for certificates of competency as masters and engineers; the instruction of local fishermen in navigation; the extension of oyster farming and of an important new industry, the culture of pearls. A modified junk-type mechanized vessel is used as a general purpose inshore demonstration vessel and a small steel trawler, the Alister Hardy, is available for off-shore extension activities.