ENG-1958 — Page 122

96

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

inshore waters of the Colony. It is estimated that some 5,000 junks are now concentrated in Hong Kong waters.

The mechanized fleet increased from 2,173 to 2,358 vessels in 1958, the major increases being among small long liners, purse seine net boats and shrimp trawlers. The total quantity of fish landed was 44,906 tons (valued at $47,439,264), as compared with 46,609 tons in 1957. The decrease in production was due to the restrictions on inshore fishing imposed by the Chinese Government. Further statistical data on the fishing industry are given below, under Marketing.

Oyster-beds and Fish Ponds. Oyster culture in this region has a tradition of 700 years behind it. The principal area concerned is Deep Bay where, from the 6,060 acres on the New Territories side of the Bay, a total of 1,200 tons of fresh oyster meat (valued at about $1,400,000) was produced in 1958. The bulk of this was processed into dried meat and into oyster juice which, following certification of local origin by the Fisheries Division staff, was exported.

ד

Experiments conducted by the Division have demonstrated that oysters can be brought into marketable size in 2 to 2 years by adopting the Japanese ‘hanging-drop' method of culture; whereas by the primitive method commonly practised at Deep Bay a period of 4 years is required. These experiments have not, however, been followed by the local oyster farmers as the cost and labour involved are considered to be too expensive. Further experiments, designed to reduce the cost of production, were under way at the end of the year.

Attempts to transfer the local edible oyster from Deep Bay (on the western side of the New Territories) and establish it in Tolo Harbour (on the east coast) did not prove successful. The Fisheries Research Unit, whose work is also described in Chapter 18, have introduced a Japanese species of marine edible oyster into Tolo Harbour and present indications are that it is growing satisfactorily.

The Pearl Culture (Control) Ordinance, which is also mentioned in Chapter 12, was enacted towards the close of the year, and commercial operations on pearl culture are due to commence in Tolo Harbour early in 1959.