ENG-1973 — Page 95

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

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Legislation requires all imported dogs and cats to be quarantined for six months, except those from scheduled countries (Britain, Australia and New Zealand), to prevent the introduction of rabies. Stray dogs are caught and detained for observa- tion and, if unclaimed, destroyed in pursuance of the rabies control policy.

Fishing Industry

As marine fish is one of Hong Kong's main primary products, every effort is made to encourage the development of the fishing industry, to increase supplies of fish and to improve the economic status of fishermen.

The fishing fleet comprises 5,400 vessels, of which about 5,000 are mechanised. The number of fishermen is estimated at 46,000 and the main fishing centres are at Aberdeen, Shau Kei Wan, Castle Peak, Tai Po and Sai Kung. The larger part of the fleet is owner-operated, while the remainder is directed by fish dealers.

Fish ponds totalling 3,180 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 silver carp, grass carp, big-head and mud carp; a total of 13.5 million of these fry were imported from China and Taiwan during 1973. Total fish pond production in 1973 amounted to 3,054 metric tons, representing 9.68 per cent of the local freshwater fish consumption; this quantity is valued at $23.16 million.

Edible oysters are cultivated in Deep Bay. Production amounted to 92 metric tons of oyster meat, valued at approximately $1,365,000. Part of this quantity was dried for export.

Marine fish culture sprouted from the growing demand for live fish in recent years. Rafts for hanging the cages in which fingerlings are kept are found in most fishing centres. It was estimated that there were about 460 families engaged in this form of venture, and the total value was more than $9 million. Contamination from the spillage of about 3,000 tons of oil from a ruptured storage tank at Ap Lei Chau, during November, affected large numbers of fish and made it necessary for marine culture operations to be temporarily suspended. Some $5.9 million in compensation was paid by the oil company concerned.

Marketing

There are two principal wholesale marketing organisations serving the agriculture and fishing industries. These are the Vegetable Marketing Organisation and the Fish Marketing Organisation.

The Vegetable Marketing Organisation operates under the Agriculture Products (Marketing) Ordinance, which provides for a board to advise the Director of Market- ing (the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries). Its main objective is to provide for orderly transportation of locally-produced vegetables from the New Territories to the wholesale market in Kowloon, and the supervision of sales and financial transac- tions in the market. Revenue is obtained from a 10 per cent commission on sales of vegetables. The organisation is a non-profit-making concern and seeks to obtain