XN000022-1972-12-16 — Page 5

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Saturday, December 16, 1972

OVER 90 PER CENT OF FISH CONSUMPTION

Provided By H.K.'s Fleet

Hong Kong's fishing fleet provided 92 percent of the total

domestic consumption of marine fish last year, while the balance was met

mainly by imports from China.

The total production of marine fish in 1971, estimated at. 93,440

metric tons, showed an overall decrease of 8.2 percent compared with

1970.

According to the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, unfavour-

able weather was the principal cause for the drop; crew shortages was

another factor.

A spokesman of the department said: "Although fishing is mainly

confined to the waters of the adjacent continental shelf, a considerable

number of fishing vessels operate as far as the eastern coast of Hainan

Island, some 300 miles south-west of Hong Kong."

In January 1971, the number of local fishing fleet was 5,612,

eighty-six percent of which were mechanised, an increase of four per cont

since 1969.

The development of Hong Kong's fishing industry during 1971 was

satisfactory, according to the spokesman.

The Agriculture and Fisheries Department continues to help fisher-

men in modernising their gear and exploring new ways of fishing.

/Newly-built