78
PRIMARY PRODUCTION
The number of fishermen in September 1965 was estimated at some 70,000. The government's aim is to foster the development of the fishing industry, to increase supplies of fish and to improve the economic status of those engaged in the industry. The department responsible for the welfare of the Colony's primary industries is the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, within which the Fisheries Service operates in three main divisions: development; research; and extension (including marketing, credit co-operation and education).
Extension work includes investigations into and demonstrations of fishing techniques; the promotion and sound development of a mechanization programme; the training of fishermen for certificates of competency as masters and engineers; and the instruction of local fishermen in navigation and certain duties in connection with the culture of pearls. A modified junk-type mechanized fishing vessel, the Yuen Ling, is used for general inshore demonstration work and to experiment with new equipment. Over-fishing and the conservation of fish resources are current problems and legislation provides for comprehensive protection measures, particularly against the use of explosives and toxic substances.
Modification of traditional junk design to meet modern require- ments is encouraged. A number of shrimp trawlers have been modified and several large Kwong Sun type deep-sea trawlers are now operating whose design includes radical departures from the usual junk layout. Some of the latest deep-sea pair trawlers are designed for easy conversion to single boat stern-otter trawling. A multi-purpose 66-foot stern otter trawler, completed in 1965, continued to show encouraging results. The trawler, financed with a loan from the Fisheries Development Loan Fund, was designed by the Fisheries Service and built under the supervision of its fishing master and craft technicians in a local boat-yard. The design of this trawler has been received with interest by the Food and Agriculture Organization division responsible for the design of fishing vessels. As a prototype stern otter trawler, the new vessel has set high standards and an additional two vessels of the same type were completed in 1966.
The department administers the Fisheries Development Loan Fund, which is allotted specifically for the development of the