SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1977
IMPORTANT ROLE OF F.M.O. STRESSED
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IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF LOCAL FISHERMEN TO SELL THEIR CATCHES THROUGH THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION (F.M.C.) A NON-PROFIT- MAKING BODY SET UP TO SERVE FISHERMEN, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (FISHERIES AND MARKETING) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR. ALEXANDER MURRAY SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET, HE NOTED THAT THE SIX PER CENT COMMISSION LEVIED ON THE LANDINGS VALUE AT THE F.M.0, WAS USED TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE F.M.C. LOAN FUND FOR FISHERMEN.
HE ADDED THAT REVENUE FROM THE COMMISSION WAS ALSO USED TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND THE MARKETING SERVICES AS EXEMPLIFIED BY THE NEWLY OPENED EXTENSION OF THE MARKET AT ABERDEEN AND THE INCREASE IN COLD STORAGE CAPACITY AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN FISH MARKET.
+FUTURE PLANS INCLUDE A NEW MARKET AT KWUN TONG, WHERE WE ARE ACTIVELY NEGOTIATING FOR A SITE A RECAMP OF THE OLD ABERDEEN · MARKET WHICH MAY CAUSE SOME SHORT-TERM INCONVENIENCE BUT WHICH WE SHALL ENDEAVOUR TO KEEP TO A MINIMUM THE REPROVISIONING OF THE TAI PO, CASTLE PEAK, AS WELL AS THE CHEUNG SHA WAN MARKETS, HE SAID.
MR. MURRAY DISCLOSED THAT THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF SETTING UP A FISHERIES SCHOLARSHIP FUND TO MAKE GRANTS TO FISHERMEN'S CHILDREN OF EXCEPTIONAL MERIT TO ENABLE THEM TO RECEIVE HIGHER EDUCATION, AND TO TRAIN INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS LIKELY TO BECOME LEADERS OF THE FISHING COMMUNITY.
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FURTHERMORE, HE CONTINUED, THE THREE-YEAR SECONDARY MODERN COURSE OFFERED AT THE F.M.O. ABERDEEN SCHOOL WOULD BE CHANGED TO A FIVE-YEAR SECONDARY TECHNICAL COURSE.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR REVEALED THAT TO HELP IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT SKILLS OF LOCAL FISHERMEN BOTH AT SEA AND ASHORE, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD LAUNCH A BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COURSE DURING THE COMING YEAR.
HE SAID THAT DESPITE SUCH NATURAL PHENOMENA SUCH AS EARTHQUAKES IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES AND A SUCCESSION OF TROPICAL STORMS, SEVERE TROPICAL STORMS AND TYPHOONS LAST SUMMER, THE VOLUME OF FISH SOLD THROUGH THE F.M.O. LAST YEAR INCREASED FOUR PER CENT BY WEIGHT AND 11 PER CENT IN VALUE COMPARED WITH 1975.
+THIS IS A MATTER FOR SOME
CONGRATULATION, HE ADDED.
ON THE SUBJECT OF OPENING UP NEW RESOURCES FOR FISHING, MR. MURRAY SAID THE DEPARTMENT'S FISHERIES VESSEL +CAPE ST. MARY+ WOULD NEXT MONTH BEGIN THE NECESSARY SURVEYS FOR PELAGIC FISm
IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
THESE