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vessels still depend on sail and their activities are severely curtailed during the typhoon season from June to October.
The restrictions imposed by the Chinese People's Government in 1958, requiring fishermen based on Hong Kong who sail in Chinese inshore waters to land a quota of their catch in China, were continued throughout the year. Quotas were varied from time to time and the restrictions were enforced with varying degrees of rigidity.
There was a substantial increase in the mechanized fleet during the year; 925 vessels, the majority converted from sail, joined the fleet, which is now 4,254 strong.
Landings by the local fishing fleet were generally good throughout 1961. Imports of both fresh marine fish and fresh water fish from China decreased considerably, as did quantities of imported salt dried fish. The quota system, under which landings in Hong Kong by foreign registered fishing vessels were restricted, was lifted on 1st February 1960, but there was no significant increase in landings by such vessels.
Oyster farming. Edible oysters have been cultivated in the waters around Hong Kong for some 700 years. The principal area of cultivation is Deep Bay where 250 tons of fresh oyster meat, valued at approximately $865,000, were produced from 6,060 acres along the New Territories' shores of the Bay. Most of this was processed into dried meat or oyster juice and exported to markets overseas. After a poor yield in 1960, production this year was also adversely affected by typhoon damage to the beds.
Pearl Culture. Six commercial pearling companies are licensed and five of these are now operating in the Colony on sites surveyed and licensed by the Co-operative Development and Fisheries Department. Four of the sites are in the Tolo Harbour and Channel area and there are two in Port Shelter. It is still too early to judge the success of their activity, but shortage of suitable sites is likely to restrict wider expansion. To assist research into the requirements of this infant industry the construction of a small Pearl Culture Research Station at Kat O in Mirs Bay is in progress.
Pond Fish Production. The number of fish ponds in the New Territories continued to increase and the total area is now 960 acres, situated mostly along the Deep Bay coastline near Yuen Long. Grey Mullet is the most important species of fish and must
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