ENG-1960 — Page 132

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

101

twenty fathom line. The bigger junk-type trawlers and long liners have gradually extended their operations and now work mainly in 30-70 fathoms along the coast of Kwangtung. Many of these deep-sea vessels still depend on sail and their activities are severely curtailed during the typhoon season from July to October.

The restrictions imposed by the Chinese People's Government in 1958, requiring fishermen based on Hong Kong who sail in Chinese inshore waters to land a quota of their catch in China, were continued throughout the year. Quotas were varied from time to time and the restrictions were enforced with varying degrees of rigidity.

=

There was a substantial increase in the mechanized fleet during the year; 669 vessels, the majority converted from sail, joined the fleet, which is now 3,329 strong.

Landings by the local fishing fleet were generally good through- out 1960 in spite of a stormy summer and the almost continuous presence of typhoons for two months. Quantities of both fresh and salt or dried fish continued to be imported from China although generally the quality of the salt and dried fish from this source was poor and much of it was sold as animal feed and fertilizer. The quota system, under which landings by foreign registered fishing vessels were restricted, was lifted on 1st February, but there has been no significant increase in landings by such vessels.

Oyster farming and pearl oyster culture. Edible oysters have been cultivated in the waters of the Colony for some 700 years. The principal area of cultivation is Deep Bay where 600 tons of fresh oyster meat, valued at approximately $1,400,000, were produced from 6,060 acres along the New Territories' shores of the Bay. Most of this was processed into dried meat or oyster juice and exported to markets overseas. Production this year, how- ever, fell far below that of other years because of the severe damage wrought by typhoon Mary in June.

Six commercial pearling companies are now operating in the Colony on sites surveyed and licensed by the Co-operative Development and Fisheries Department. It is still too early to judge the success of their activities, but interim investigations have been encouraging and there is growing interest in this young industry.