ENG-1955 — Page 102

70

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

are used

inoculation. Some 2,000,000 doses of vaccine are annually.

FISHERIES

Marine fish is the primary product of Hong Kong, and the fishing fleet is the largest of any port in the Colonies. It consists of over 6,000 junks, of various sizes and designs, and 31 Japanese-type trawlers, 12 of which are of British registry. They are manned by a sea fishing population of approx. 56,000, chiefly Tanka, operating from various ports and fishing centres, the most important of which are Aberdeen and Shaukiwan (on Hong Kong Island), Cheung Chau, Tai O, Taipo and Saikung.

Junks are built locally from imported timber, of which China fir is the most popular. Due to continued shortages of this, however, more teak and yacal have been used. About 95% of the fleet is owner-operated, the rest being owner- directed, by fish dealers and fishing companies.

The inshore fishing grounds for purse seiners, gill netters, shrimp trawlers and small liners are confined to the waters up to 20 fathom South of the Colony. Trawlers and long liners operate in waters from 30-65 fathoms along the coast of Kwangtung, from 11° 30′ to 116° E. and 20° 15′ to 22 30′ N. A large number of the deep-sea vessels are sailing craft, and during the typhoon season, from July to October, their crews occupy themselves with repairing junks, nets, rigging, sails and equipment.

The mechanized junk fleet increased from 702 to 890 vessels in 1955, the major increases being among shrimp trawlers, small long liners and purse seine net boats. Despite this, however, the total quantity of fish landed was only 40,333 tons, as compared with 39,510 tons in 1954. This was mainly due to the poor season experienced by the purse seine net fishermen.

Oyster-beds and fishponds

Oyster culture in this region has a tradition of 700 years behind it. At present the principal area concerned is Deep Bay, where, with assistance from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, important improvements