ENG-1958 — Page 129

PRIMARY PRODUCTION AND MARKETING

103

Local production during the last five years and average whole- sale prices during the same period were as follows:

Quantities & Values

1954

1955

1956

1957

1958

Average Wholesale Prices

(in cents per catty)

1954

1955

1956

1957

1958

Piculs

Tons

Value ($)

663,769

39,510

42,977,489

677,599

40,333

36,800,531

679,187

40,428

43,267,461

783,033

46,609

51,041,714

754,421

44,906

47,439,259

Fresh Fish

Salt Fish

67

55

56

43

66

49

65

47

57

37

1958 was a most difficult year for local fishermen. Traditionally, the fishing grounds of many Hong Kong based fishermen are in or near to Chinese waters, but early this year the Chinese Govern- ment gave notice that they intended to impose restrictions on the use of fishing grounds within Chinese territorial waters. These restrictions were not strictly enforced until 1st August; from_then onwards the landings of the local fleet were greatly affected until December, when the restrictions were eased to a certain extent and landings returned to near normal. An unusual feature of fish marketing during the year has been the import of marine fish, particularly salt/dried fish, from China, a reversal of the trend of some years ago when Hong Kong used to export substantial quantities of fish to China. As a result of the fishing-ground restrictions, the total sales through the Marketing Organization decreased by approximately 7%. The effects of these restrictions are described in more detail under Fisheries earlier in this Chapter.

The embargo on the importation of salt/dried fish from the Colony, imposed by the Chinese Government in June 1950, remained in force throughout the year. Salt fish exporters, however, continued to explore other outlets and as a result approximately 580 tons of locally caught and processed salt/dried fish were exported during the year. The main importing countries were Indonesia, Singapore, Malaya, Canada, the Philippines and the United States of America.