ENG-1958 — Page 110

PRIMARY PRODUCTION AND MARKETING

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of marine fishing described later in this chapter under Marketing, was broadened with the establishment in 1952 of the Fisheries Division of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Department and the emergence in 1952 of the Fisheries Research Unit as a part of the University of Hong Kong. The activities of these bodies and the Co-operative and Marketing Department, which controls the Fish Marketing Organization, are co-ordinated by a Fisheries Advisory Committee.

The Fisheries Division, the Fisheries Research Unit and the Co-operative and Marketing Department also participate in the activities of the Indo-Pacific Fisheries Council of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Hong Kong was represented at the 8th session of the Council, which was held in Ceylon in December, when the United Kingdom delegation was led by Dr. F. D. Ommanney, Director of the Hong Kong Fisheries Research Unit.

The Fisheries Division is concerned with fisheries demonstration and extension work, the promotion of mechanization, the training of fishermen for certificates of competency as masters and en- gineers, operational investigations concerned with fishing methods, craft and fishing gear, the extension of pond fish culture and oyster farming in co-operation with the Fisheries Research Unit of the University of Hong Kong, and the demonstration of approved fishing techniques. The staff of the Division number 52 permanent officers including a Fisheries Officer, 2 Assistant Fisheries Officers, a Fishing Master and 11 Fisheries Supervisors. One of these officers is a qualified graduate and four have diplomas in marine or fresh water fisheries. District offices have been established throughout the Colony and the marine headquarters is at Aberdeen adjacent to the Fish Marketing Organization. The Division possesses two small inshore mechanized junk-type fishing vessels. A further vessel of some 110 feet will be constructed in 1959 for distant-water fisheries operational research.

Forestry Division. A Forest Policy was approved by the Govern- ment in 1953. The principal aims of this policy are to afforest waste hill-lands in order to stabilize the soil, prevent erosion and protect water supplies; to produce the maximum quantity of fuel and timber; and to encourage private and village forestry.