Fisheries in Hong Kong
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In Hong Kong, fisheries are a local industry of certain significance.
[edit] Overview
Capture and aquaculture fisheries make an important contribution to Hong Kong by maintaining a steady supply of fresh fish to local consumers. The commercially important marine species in terms of landed weight are bigeye, golden thread, croaker, horse-head and pomfret. The total capture fisheries and marine fish culture production is equivalent to about 31 % of seafood consumed in Hong Kong, while pond fish farmers produce about six percent of the freshwater fish eaten.
[edit] Capture fisheries
Hong Kong’s fishing activities are conducted mainly in the waters of the adjacent continental shelf in the South and East China Seas. They extend over a 160 kilometre wide section of this shelf between the Gulf of Tonkin and the East China Sea. In 2003, the estimated yield of fishery products was about 157,444 tonnes, valued at $1,526 million. The fishing fleet is comprised of about 4,630 vessels, most of which are mechanised. About 38 % of the vessels are over 15 metres in length. They are mainly trawlers, liners and gill netters and are engaged in fishing mainly outside Hong Kong waters. The remaining 62 % of the vessels are mainly gill netters, liners, purse seiners and cage trappers operating mainly in coastal waters around Hong Kong.
[edit] Aquaculture fisheries
Fish ponds in use total 10.29 square kilometres and are located mainly in the north-western New Territories. The majority of fish farms are engaged in carp polyculture (bighead carp, silver carp, common carp and grass carp) in combination with tilapia or grey mullet as the major species. Other cultured species include seabreams and spotted scat. Total fish pond production in 2003 amounted to 2,114 tonnes, valued at $35 million. About 1,157 units are engaged in marine fish culture under the Marine Fish Culture Ordinance. At present there are 26 fish culture zones designated under the Ordinance. Common species cultured include green grouper, brownspotted grouper, Russell’s snapper, mangrove snapper, cobia and pampano
