An overview of research on aquaculture economics and management in Hong Kong

Abstract

This paper has two objectives. The first objective is to provide the factual and research background to the papers in this special issue of Aquaculture Economics and Management. These papers, produced largely by two departments of The University of Hong Kong, have a focus on Hong Kong. The second objective is to make a first systematic endeavour to identify all relevant publications on/related to, and the directions of, aquaculture research in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a minute spot in terms of area but nevertheless, as part of socialist China, it should be of regional if not international significance for aquaculture research. However, though aquaculture in Hong Kong is an old industry, it is not a mature research area. Notwithstanding the number of research works quoted or cited in this overview, the fact is that sustained inquiry1 (other than that concerning red tides), major theoretical debate, a professional body recognised by government or university curriculum dedicated to aquaculture has yet to emerge. Other than government's own work, past research outputs on, or relevant to, aquaculture have been produced sporadically, and intermittently, by experts from various academic and professional disciplines, namely biology, geography and economics. There is no textbook on aquaculture and no review article of the literature on, or relating to, aquaculture in Hong Kong.