FISHERIES.
Reliable information on this subject has been extremely dif ficult to obtain because only the Chinese themselves could give us the information required, and no amount of reasoning will persuade them that we have not at the back of our heads some scheme which will ultimately deprive a certain class (the fishermen) of their living. This report is therefore put forward in little detail, and the facts and figures cannot be definitely relied upon, although they were sup- plied by influential Chinese who themselves found considerable dif- nculty in collecting data.
Briefly, the amount of fish brought into the Colony varies between 17,000 and 20,000 tons per annum, Of this amount ap- proximately half is salt and half fresh water fish.
The principal fishing grounds are (1) in the neighbourhood of Macao and (2) off the coast opposite Swatow, but different species are caught in different waters. The fish are caught in trawl and drift nets. In the first case two junks are required to attend the net, each junk carrying approximately ten men apiece.
Where drift nets are being used one junk with a crew of ap- proximately 25 persons la necessary, but in nearly all cases sea-going junks hunt in couples.
The fresh water fish come from the Canton River and its tributaries. Other means are employed for catching fish, mainly stake, and hanging nets fished from the shore, and many primitive methods are also adopted for catching fish such as "apearing.”
Nets vary in mesh from one-tenth of an inch to two inches. (Chinese).
The Ashing fleets are interfered with very considerably by storms, but generally speaking it takes from two to three days to get to the fishing grounds off Swatow and about one day to those off Macao,
Fish caught in the immediate neighbourhood of Hongkong generally come in to the local markets. Most of the catch in the more distant waters is salted down and also consumed on the Island, only a small amount being exported to Shek Ki which is the principal importing district served by Hongkong.
OYSTERS.
There appears to be no value in these apart from human (Chinese) consumption or for fertilising purposes, and I very much doubt if it would be wise to suggest that they be used for edible pur- poses by Foreigners.
I attach copies of the questions addressed to the Chinese on this subject and their replies thereto, and conclude by reminding the Government that a private company to operate steam trawlers in these waters a few years ago failed miserably owing to the opposition it met with at the hands of the Chinese on all sides.
JOHN JOHNSTONE,
Chairman.
4
5. Number of active persons carried on fishing junks?
6. Where are fishing grounds situated?
7.
Usual time it takes the fishing fleet to get there?
8. Is their work greatly interfered with by storms?
9. Does most of the fish caught by the fishing population of Hong- kong and New Territories come to Hongkong or go to Macao and Canton.
10. Is it salted down for Chinese consumption or does it go to the
local market?
11.
Are there any set seasons of the year when runs of certain fish occur, how long do these runs last?
12. Who is the best Chinese authority to see on this subject?
REPLIES ON FISH.
1. The amount of fish caught and brought into this Colony annually from the different fishing grounds is roughly about 8,380 tons, while the amount imported anually from Canton (ie, fresh water fish) is roughly about 8,917 tons or 400 piculs daily. The fishing fleet in the Colony numbers from 1,200 to 1,100.
2. The species of fish are various (see answer No. 11).
3. Two kinds of fishing junks are used:
4.
(1).
(2)
Large fishing junks with two masts (). For this kind, stake nets are used and about ten men are required on board. The net is spread out and hung between two junks. For this reason two boats must be engaged at the same time.
Fishing junks with three masts For this kind drift nets with long strings of hooks are used and about twenty-five persons are required on board.
For Haddock 18) and Shad
the
white of ducks'
eggs-nets" can only be used.
About ten days are taken for one trip.
5. See answer No. 3.
6. The chief fishing grounds are situated near Swatow and near
Macao.
7. Greatly depends upon wind. It takes about two or three days. to the fishing grounds near Swatow and about one day is taken to get to Sa-tai (e. the fishing grounds near Macao.
8. The answer is in the affirmative.
9. Mostly come to Hongkong. Only about 244 tans are exported to Shek-ki which is the chief importing district from Hongkong.
10.
It goes to the local market. Salt fish is mostly imported into the Colony.
11. Yes; there are four seasons when the following runs of fish
QUESTIONS ON FISH.
1. Amount of fish in "Tone" brought into this Colony per annum?
2. Species of Fish?
3. How caught, ie, by drift nets or stake nets? Size of not and
mesh?
4. Duration of time fishing junks are at sea per voyage?
12.
Occur.-
Spring Kung fish (I. Che fish (). Eel P, Shad(請 白),Mungo fish (有). Hui-ho fish (海河). Suminer: Garoupa (3) Ching Yee fish. Shad
Unk-kor-lec (D). Lap fish (g). Autumn Haddock(), Por Lap fish (#). Winter: Kau Kwun fish). Tor Lap fish #. Hoi Ho
( Kong fish (I), Che fish (
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