Boats at the Aberdeen Floating Village.Scenery of the Aberdeen Floating Village.
The Aberdeen Floating Village is a fishing port located in Aberdeen within the Southern District of Hong Kong. The village contains approximately 600 junks with a population of 6,000.
Since the 19th century,Aberdeen has been an important fishing port in Hong Kong.[1] Prior to the 1950s,saltwater fish was primarily sold at Aberdeen. Aberdeen is the only fishing port in the Southern District of Hong Kong and continues to play an important role in the industry,with over one-third of the fish caught in Hong Kong caught in Aberdeen port. During the Fishing Moratorium Period (June and July),more than 1,000 fishing vessels are anchored at the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter.[2]
In the 1990s and 2000s,the population of the Aberdeen Floating Village community had decreased[3] due to the rapid development of fisheries in the Guangdong Province,as well as the increase in operating costs of the fishing industry in Hong Kong.[citation needed] The total population of boat dwellers in Hong Kong was estimated at 2,000 in 1841,[4] 150,000 in 1963[5] and 40,000 in 1982.[6]
The majority of the people with boats do not permanently reside on their boats,but rather use them to fish during the day. Most of the descendants of the floating people have relocated to land-based accommodations.[7]
Citizens
The majority of residents belong to the Tanka community,which migrated to Hong Kong between the 7th and 9th centuries. The term "Tanka" translates to "egg people," a name derived from the group historically paying taxes with eggs instead of currency. While the Tanka people use this term to refer to themselves,its usage by outsiders is regarded as derogatory. In addition to the Tanka,there is another ethnic group in the floating village known as the Hoklo. Some boat people operate sampans along the waterfront serving as tour guides. They invite people along the shore for boat trips to nearby small islands or the surrounding area for 20 to 30 minutes. The tour guides point out scenic features of these areas to tourists during the ride. The fare ranges from $50 to $80 Hong Kong dollars.[8]
There are many other people in Aberdeen who neither live nor work on boats. Most of these people consume fresh seafood from small-scale fish boats,or at seafood restaurants. There are two floating restaurants in Aberdeen:the Jumbo Floating Restaurant and the Tai Pak Floating Restaurant. Non-boat people also visit the marine parks at the waterfront to exercise and socialize.[9]
Fishing
Boats are navigated to surrounding areas to catch fish,which is then handed over to the Fish Marketing Organization (F.M.O) for wholesaling,direct sale to wet markets,or directly to seafood restaurants.[8]Trawling is a common method used by fishers in the South China Sea and East China seas. The method used specifically depends on the intended type of fish.[10]
One method,gill-netting,has the fishing boat pull a long net at its rear. Another method,seine fishing,has fishers place a rounded net into the sea when they see a school of fish swim by. Long-lining consists of the fishing boat pulling a string,tagged with smaller fish,to attract and lure other fish.[10]
To catch shrimp,fishers use shrimp trawling,during which they throw small bags into the sea. Shrimp trawlers are used to catch shrimp using the shrimp-trawling method,but account for a small portion of trawlers in Hong Kong. Currently,the most common trawlers in Hong Kong are the Hang Trawlers,Sten Trawlers,Purse Seiners and Gill-Netters. All of these local fishing boat junks were mechanized after the Pacific War.[10]
There are many other people in Aberdeen who neither live nor work on boats. Most of these people consume fresh seafood from small-scale fish boats,or at seafood restaurants. There are two floating restaurants in Aberdeen:the Jumbo Floating Restaurant and the Tai Pak Floating Restaurant. Non-boat people also visit the marine parks at the waterfront to exercise and socialize.[9]
Drying salt fish caught in the waters of Aberdeen.The fish market at the Aberdeen floating village organized by the F.M.O.
The Fish Marketing Organization (F.M.O) provides fishers with marketing services and fish retailers at the village. The wholesale fish markets operated by the F.M.O are located along the Aberdeen Promenade.
Tourism
The fishing port of Aberdeen is a tourist attraction due to its scenery and seafood.[citation needed] The Hong Kong Tourist Association and the government of Hong Kong have promoted Aberdeen,which benefits the catering and travel industries in the area.[3][bettersourceneeded]
Aberdeen has been transformed into a semi-commercial district,but has maintained the style of a fishing village. Riding traditional sampans around the typhoon shelter or to cross the waters to Ap Lei Chau is a popular activity for tourists. The sampans to Ap Lei Chau accept the Octopus Card.[3]
Ferries and Sampans
Along the Aberdeen Promenade,there are ferryboats to Ap Lei Chau,Lamma and Po Toi. There are also shuttle ferries to the Jumbo Floating Restaurant and sampans for hire for sightseeing.[3]
Every morning the Aberdeen boat people catch fresh fish to make fish balls,which are used to create the local Aberdeen specialty,"Fish Ball Noodles". Boat people use traditional and other methods of cooking the fish ball noodles.[8]
An image depicting Jumbo Floating Restaurant in 2017.
The Jumbo Floating Restaurant was a tourist attraction in Aberdeen. It was a double-story boat that served Cantonese-style cooked seafood.[3] The restaurant was temporarily closed during the COVID-19 outbreak of 2020. On 14 June 2022; it was towed out of Hong Kong to transfer ownership in Cambodia and capsized in the South China Sea during stormy weather near the Paracel Islands on 19 June 2022.
Aberdeen Country Park
The Aberdeen Country Park is built around the reservoirs on the southern side of Hong Kong and contains leisure trails and promenades. The longest trail can be completed within an hour. The Hong Kong Tourist Association has an information center in the park’s southern section for pamphlets.[3]
Aberdeen Tin Hau Temple
The Tin Hau Temple in Aberdeen was founded in 1851, and is dedicated to GoddessTin Hau. Every April (on the 23rd day of the third lunar month), the temple hosts ceremonies for Tin Hau's birthday. During the ceremony, people decorate their boats on the Aberdeen shores and lion dances are performed outside the temple.[3]
Gallery
The ferry service running between Lamma Island & Aberdeen is operated by Chuen Kee Ferry.
Ferry service between Aberdeen to Pak Kok Tsuen and Yung Shue Wan (Lamma Island) is operated by Tsui Wah Ferry Co.
Shuttle boat from Aberdeen Promenade or from Sham Wan pier to Jumbo Floating Restaurant.
Small sampans are used as a common mode of transportation between Aberdeen & Ap Lei Chau Island.
A sightseeing Sampan.
Sightseeing Sampan at the shore of Aberdeen side.
Inside a sampan being used as public transportation between Aberdeen & Ap Lei Chau Island. Note the Octopus Card scanner in the middle.
↑ "Development of the Fishing Industry in Aberdeen" from sign at Aberdeen Floating Village, Published by: Southern District Council, Hong Kong. Date visited: October 12, 2009.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Development of tourism in Aberdeen." from sign at Aberdeen Floating Village, Published by: Southern District Council, Hong Kong. Date visited: October 12, 2009.
↑ Roger Nissim: Land administration and practice in Hong Kong, 2008, p.17 ISBN962-209-848-7
↑ Insight Guides (2014). Insight Guides: Hong Kong City Guide. London: Apa Publications Ltd. ISBN9781780057989.
1 2 3 "Lifestyles of Fishermen" from sign at Aberdeen Floating Village, Published by: Southern District Council, Hong Kong. Date visited: 12 October 2009.
1 2 “A short guide to Aberdeen.” from sign at Aberdeen Floating Village, Published by: Southern District Council, Hong Kong. Date visited: October 12, 2009.
1 2 3 "Fishing Methods" from sign at Aberdeen Floating Village, Published by: Southern District Council, Hong Kong. Date visited: October 12, 2009.
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