PRIMARY PRODUCTION
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local fleet. The total quantity of fish and fishery products has increased from 121 500 metric tons (valued at $316 million) in 1970 to 150 400 metric tons (valued at $523 million) in 1975. This is an increase of 24 per cent by quantity and 65 per cent by value. Marine fish landings amounted to 95 000 metric tons at a wholesale value of $316 million. This represented 92 per cent of the local consumer demand.
The fishing fleet consists of 5,600 vessels, of which 92 per cent are mechanised. An estimated 47,000 fishermen work the fleet, with a large proportion of vessels being owner-operated.
Fish ponds totalling 1444 hectares are located in the New Territories, principally in the Yuen Long district. The main species raised is grey mullet, but other important species are carp and big-head. Total pond fish production for 1975 was 4472 metric tons valued at $30 million, which met 12 per cent of local demand. Fish fry for pond stocking are mainly imported from China and Taiwan. Grey mullet fry are caught locally.
The culture of marine fish continues to develop. It involves the growing of marine fish from fry or fingerling stages to marketable size in cages suspended in the sea in various bays throughout the New Territories. It is estimated that 830 families were engaged in this business in 1975, and the total value of fish produced was $11 million.
Marketing
Much of the wholesale marketing of primary products-particularly fresh foods -is a responsibility of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, and of the fish and vegetable marketing organisations administered by that department. Retail fresh food marketing is a matter for the Urban Council and for the Urban Services Department.
The local agriculture and fishing industries are served by the vegetable and fish marketing organisations. During the year 31 per cent of the total quantity of locally produced vegetables, and 79 per cent of the total landings of marine fish, were whole- saled through these two organisations.
The Vegetable Marketing Organisation operates under the Agricultural Products (Marketing) Ordinance, which provides for a board to advise the Director of Market- ing (the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries). Its main concerns are the transporta- tion of locally produced vegetables from the New Territories to the wholesale market in Kowloon, the provision of marketing facilities, and the supervision of sales and financial transactions in the market. Revenue is obtained from a 10 per cent com- mission on sales of vegetables. The organisation is a non-profit-making concern and seeks to obtain maximum returns for growers by minimising their marketing costs. During the year, 64 865 metric tons of vegetables valued at nearly $89 million were sold through the organisation.
The Fish Marketing Organisation operates under the Marine Fish (Marketing) Ordinance, which also provides for an advisory board. The ordinance provides for the control of the landing, wholesale marketing, importation and exportation of marine fish. The Fish Marketing Organisation operates seven wholesale fish markets. strategically sited at points to provide convenient services to the public, the trade and