ENG-1970 — Page 98

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

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The Fisheries Research Division at Aberdeen is concerned with biological and hydrographical research in the northern part of the South China Sea. Biological research deals with the fish population study of selected commercial fishes, the taxonomic analysis of the commercial marine fauna, the culture of commercial aquatic organisms, and the exploration of new fishing grounds. Hydro- graphical 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 investigations are concerned with mariculture research; and one at Au Tau which has been responsible for the induced breeding of carp species.

Fish ponds totalling 2,255 acres are mainly located in the Yuen Long area. 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 5.74 million fry of these species have been imported from China during the year. The total pond fish production has amounted to 2,126.4 metric tons representing 8.6 per cent of the local freshwater fish consumption; this quantity is valued at $13.7 million.

Edible oysters are cultivated at Deep Bay. Production amounted to some 125 metric tons of oyster meat, valued at approximately $1.4 million. Part of this quantity has been dried for export.

FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION

The present Fish Marketing Organisation, a non-government trading organisation established in October 1945 and 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.

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