ENG-1969 — Page 132

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

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of new fishing grounds. A handbook on Hong Kong cephalopods has been completed, and the second part of the Marine Fishes of Hong Kong is under preparation. The Division's research trawler Cape St Mary has discovered the Macclesfield Bank to be rich in demersal fish resources. Hydrographical research continues to study the fluctuations in the marine environment in which commercial organisms occur. This work also constitutes the United Kingdom contribution to the Co-operative Study of the Kuroshio organised by the Inter-governmental Oceanographic Commission. The Division has two sub-stations: one at Kat O where investiga- tions are concerned with mariculture research with oysters, mussels and fishes; and one at Au Tau which has been responsible for the breeding of carp species for stocking the Plover Cove Reservoir during the year.

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Fish ponds totalling 2,200 acres are located mostly at Yuen Long along the coast of Deep Bay. The most important species is the grey mullet, the fry of which are collected along the coastal waters in spring. Other important species for cultivation include the silver carp, grass carp, big-head and mud carp; a total of 3,800,000 fry of these species have been imported from China during the year. The total pond fish production has amounted to 1,806.89 metric tons representing 6.4 per cent of the local freshwater fish consumption; this quantity is valued at $9.5 million.

Edible oysters are cultivated at Deep Bay. Production amounted to some 212 metric tons of oyster meat, valued at approximately $2.1 million. Some of this quantity has been dried for export.

FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION

The present Fish Marketing Organisation, a non-government trading organisation controlled by the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, grew out of the steps taken to rehabilitate the fishing fleet at the end of the Pacific War, with the long-term object of developing the industry on a sound economic footing. It is a non- profit-making concern, and operates under the Marine Fish (Marketing) Ordinance 1956.

The organisation runs six wholesale fish markets at Aberdeen, Shau Kei Wan, Cheung Sha Wan, Tai Po, Sha Tau Kok and Castle