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PRIMARY PRODUCTION
The fishing fleet consists of some 6,200 fishing vessels of which more than 5,000 are mechanised. The number of fishermen was estimated at 50,000 and the main fishing centres are Aberdeen, Shau Kei Wan, Castle Peak, Tai Po and Sai Kung. Most of the fleet are owner-operated while the rest are directed by fish dealers and fishing companies.
A major breakthrough in local fisheries development was achieved in 1965 with the successful introduction of a prototype 66-foot wooden stern otter trawler designed by the Fisheries Branch. Other modern designs include the 86-foot wooden pair trawler and long-liner, and the 54-foot long-liner. Over 20 of these have been built with financial and technical assistance from the department, and over 80 with private funds. A 54-foot ferro-cement long-liner, the first in Hong Kong, was built during the year, financed by a loan from the Fish Marketing Organisation Loan Fund.
Close contact with the fishing community is maintained through the extension service and by liaison with fishermen's co-operative societies. A large number of these co-operative societies operate their own revolving loan fund schemes which continue to grow in size and effectiveness. The position of registered fishermen's co- operative societies as at December 31, 1969 is shown in Appendix XXIV. Extension work also includes the training of fishermen for certificates of competency as local masters and engine operators, and the instruction of local fishermen in navigation.
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The Fisheries Development Loan Fund, administered by the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, is allotted specifically for the development of the distant water fleet, for which it has a capital of $5 million. There is close co-operation with the Fish Marketing Organisation, which administers two other funds and investigates applications for loans from all three. Together they provide capital of more than $8 million for the development of the industry.
The Fisheries Research Division at Aberdeen is concerned with biological and hydrographical research in the South China Sea. Biological research deals with the population study of Saurida and Psenopsis, the taxonomic analysis of the commercial marine fauna, the culture of commercial aquatic organisms, and the exploration