ENG-1965 — Page 100

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PRIMARY PRODUCTION

Planting usually starts in spring and continues until June or July. Trees planted after July usually have too short a period to become well established before the onset of the dry season. Weather conditions during the first six months of 1965 were generally favour- able for tree planting, with the result that most of the planting work was done during this period and a total of 140 acres were planted for the year. Another 288 acres were replanted, mostly in plantations destroyed by fire in the previous year. There is a constant threat of fire during the dry season and careful precautions have to be taken with lookouts placed strategically on hills and connected by field telephone to control points where men, equipment and transport stand by.

FISHING

F

Marine fish is one of Hong Kong's main primary products and the fishing fleet is the largest of any port in the Commonwealth. The number of fishermen at Chinese New Year, 1964, (11th February) was estimated at some 76,000. The government's aim is to foster the development of the fishing industry, to increase supplies of fish and to improve the economic status of those engaged in the industry. The department responsible for the welfare of the Colony's primary industries is the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, within which the Fisheries Service operates in four main divisions: extension; research; co-operation (including marketing and credit); and education.

The Seventh Fisheries Exhibition was held from 1st to 6th February at the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish-Market and attracted some 215,000 people. The exhibition is held every three years and is designed to stimulate development and generally to emphasize the importance of the fishing community and the fleet. It also provides an opportunity to demonstrate the work of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and the Fish Marketing Organization.

Extension work includes investigations into and demonstrations of fishing methods, craft and fishing gear; the introduction of new fishing techniques; the promotion and sound development of a mechanization programme; the training of fishermen for certifi- cates of competency as masters and engineers; the instruction of local fishermen in navigation and certain duties in connection with the culture of pearls. A modified junk-type mechanized fishing