Fresh fish constitute one of Hong Kong's most important primary products. Productions from capture and culture fisheries in 2002 were estimated at about 169 790 tonnes and 3 400 tonnes respectively, with a total value of $17 billion.

    The Hong Kong fishing fleet, manned by some 10 860 local fishermen and 4 100 Mainland deckhands, comprises some 4 770 vessels of which 2 530 are sampans or non-mechanised boats. The predominant fishing method is trawling, which accounted for 86 per cent of the catch, or 145 660 tonnes. Other fishing methods include lining, gill netting and purse-seining. The total fish catch in 2002 amounted to 169 790 tonnes, with an estimated wholesale value of $16 billion. Discounting the catch landed or sold outside Hong Kong, some 62 880 tonnes of the catch were supplied for local consumption.

    Under licence from the AFCD, 1 237 mariculturists operate in 26 designated fish culture zones. They supplied 1 210 tonnes of live marine fish valued at $57 million.

    Freshwater and brackish water fish are cultured in fish ponds covering some 1 030 hectares, most of which are located in the north-western New Territories where they form part of the wetland system of conservation interest. With the increasing urbanisation of the New Territories, commercial fish pond production has gradually declined. Pond fish culture yielded 1 990 tonnes, or 4 per cent, of freshwater fish for local consumption.