Struggling to stay afloat: Hong Kong fishermen reeling amid industry decline

At the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market, a fisherman surveys his day’s stock of fish, planning to sell his multicoloured inventory to numerous restaurants and street stalls across Hong Kong.

But as he waits along the main corridor for a customer, only his competitors fill the area.

“Business has been very difficult,” the 43-year-old fisherman surnamed Hua said. “This [market] is already the biggest hub for the industry.”

The lack of demand for his product highlights one of many challenges fishermen in Hong Kong have faced for years, with the production and value of fish declining over time.

Fishermen have sought new ways to generate income, including a proposal to allow them to operate leisure fishing trips.

The idea, which faced years of rejection, recently received government support despite initial concerns from kaito, or small-scale, ferry operators about potential competition.