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fishing method and fishing equipment is provided for fishermen, while experiments and demonstrations are conducted to test the suitability of new fishing gear and methods. Training classes in navigation, engineering, radiotelephone operation and seminars on safety on board fishing vessels at sea for fishermen are organised in the main fishing ports. Education is provided for the children of fishermen at 10 schools run by the Fish Marketing Organisation. At the end of 1988, more than 1 640 children were attending these schools. A further seven were attending other schools on scholarships awarded by the organisation.
Close contact with the fishing community is maintained through liaison with producer associations and fishermen's co-operative societies. Eight Fish Marketing Organisation liaison offices operate in the main fishing centres to provide a link with fishermen.
Loans
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Loans are available to the agricultural industry through three main funds: the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Loan Fund, the J. E. Joseph Trust Fund and the Vegetable Market- ing Organisation Loan Fund. All are administered by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department.
By December 31, loans issued since the inception of these three funds had reached a total of $267.1 million. Of this, $253.3 million has been repaid.
The Fisheries Development Loan Fund, with capital of $7 million, is administered by the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries specifically for developing the fishing fleet.
Finance from the World Refugee Year Loan Fund for Co-operative Societies, donated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 1962, is also available to members of fishermen's co-operative societies.
The Fish Marketing Organisation Loan Fund, which has operated as a revolving loan fund since January 1, 1983, by the transfer of funds from the organisation's surplus and deficit account is another important source of loan finance for fishermen. At the end of 1988, the fund capital was $19 million.
The department administers another revolving loan fund, financed by the Co-operative for American Relief Everywhere (CARE), specifically for shrimp fishermen.
By December 31, loans issued since the inception of these four funds totalled $190 million of which $161 million had been repaid.
Co-operative societies operate under a Co-operative Societies Ordinance, which provides for the appointment of a registrar - the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries. His powers and duties relate to the registration of co-operative societies and their by-laws, the auditing of accounts, inspection and enquiry, general supervision of operations, and such matters as mediation in disputes and dissolution of co-operative societies when necessary.
At the end of the year, some 12 090 farmers and 1937 fishermen were members of co-operative societies.
There were 70 societies and two federations among the farming community, and 67 societies and four federations supported by fisherfolk.
Agricultural Industry
Due to the limitation of land, agriculture in Hong Kong will continue to be directed towards the production of high quality fresh foods through intensive land use. The continued loss of productive land to urban use posed significant problems for agricultural development. To meet this problem, agricultural land rehabilitation pilot projects are being undertaken in selected areas with a view to bringing fallow land back to cultivation.
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