ENG-1954 — Page 111

PRODUCTION AND MARKETING

Foremost in the programme of development has been the establishment of efficient marketing facilities to ensure the fishermen a fair return for their produce and so encourage them to increase production.

There are about 53,000 fishermen, including their families, engaged in the fishing industry, operating from fishing ports and living in villages scattered over a wide area, many of which are not within easy reach. of the four wholesale fish markets. In order to simplify the collection of fish the Organization set up fish col- lecting centres in the main fishing villages and fish is collected from these centres and conveyed to market by the Organization's own fleet of diesel lorries, or by motor launches.

On arrival at the market the fish is sorted, weighed and auctioned and the proceeds of the sale (less 'a 6% commission charge for services provided by the Organ- ization) can be collected by the fishermen if he travels with his fish, or returned to the collecting centre where he can collect it at his convenience.

In 1950 the Chinese authorities placed an embargo on the import of salt dried fish from Hong Kong which seriously affected the salt fish dealers, but by deter- mined and sustained efforts they have managed to establish new and promising markets in the Philippines, Java, Thailand, Singapore, Formosa and the U.S.A.

The mechanization and improvement of Hong Kong's fishing fleet has resulted in a very great increase in the production of fish. Since 1946 production of fresh fish has increased sixteen-fold, the landing figures being 32,000 piculs in 1946 as against 554,000 in 1954.

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