| The
fishing industry makes an important contribution to Hong Kong in maintaining
a steady supply of fresh marine fish to local consumers. In 2002,
it produced an estimated 169790 tonnes of fisheries produce valued
at $1600 million with about 90% of the total catch coming from waters
outside Hong Kong. The industry now consists of some 4770 fishing
vessels and some 10860 fishermen working abroad and provides employment
in ancillary sectors servicing the fishing industry, such as fish
wholesale and retail marketing, fuel and fishing gear supply and ice
manufacturing. Fishing activities are mainly conducted in the waters of the adjacent continental shelf in the South and East China Seas. The majority of the fishing vessels are manned by family members with the assistance of hired crew. Main fishing methods include trawling (pair trawling, stern trawling, shrimp trawling and hang trawling), long lining, gill netting, purse-seining, hand lining and cage trapping, with the majority of the total catch obtained through trawling. |
