Aberdeen floating village

Aberdeen floating villageis located at theAberdeenHarbour in theSouthern DistrictofHong Kong. The harbour contains approximately 600junksand is home to an estimated 6,000 people.
Since the 19th century, Aberdeen has been an important fishing port in Hong Kong.Prior to the 1950s, salt fish was the major catch sold at Aberdeen.Today, 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 theAberdeen Typhoon Shelter.
In the 1990s and 2000s, the population of the Aberdeen Floating Village community decreaseddue to the rapid development of fisheries in theGuangdongProvince, as well as the increase in operating costs of the fishing industry in Hong Kong.The total population of boat dwellers in Hong Kong was estimated at 2,000 in 1841,150,000 in 1963and 40,000 in 1982.
Presently, the majority of the boat people 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.
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 strolling 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.
At least once a day, boat people navigate their boats to surrounding areas to catch fish, which is then handed over to wholesalers in the Fish Marketing Organization (F.M.O) for further wholesaling, or sold directly to wet markets or seafood restaurants.
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: theJumbo Floating Restaurantand the Tai Pak Floating Restaurant.Non-boat people also visit the marine parks at the waterfront to exercise and socialize.
Trawlingis a common method used by fishermen in theSouth China SeaandEast China seas. The specific trawling method used depends on the type of fish the fisherman intends to catch.
For gill-netting, the fish boat pulls a long net at its rear. Forseine fishing, fishermen place a rounded net into the sea when they see a school of fish swim by. Long-lining consists of the fish boat pulling a string, tagged with smaller fish, to attract and lure other fish.
To catch shrimp, fishermen 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.
The Fish Marketing Organization (F.M.O) is a self-financed, non-profit organization that provides marketing services to fishermen and fish retailers at the Aberdeen floating village.F.M.O's income derives from commission on sales and surplus earnings, which are used to improve the facilities of the Aberdeen Floating Village.Wholesale fish markets operated by the F.M.O are located along theAberdeen Promenade.
Every morning the Aberdeen boat people catch fresh fish to makefish 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.
The fishing port of Aberdeen is a tourist attraction due to its scenery and seafood.TheHong Kong Tourist Associationand the government of Hong Kong have promoted Aberdeen, which benefits the catering and travel industries in the area.
Along the Aberdeen Promenade, there are ferryboats toAp Lei Chau, Lamma andPo Toi. There are also shuttle ferries to the Jumbo Floating Restaurant andsampansfor hire for sightseeing.
The Jumbo Floating Restaurant was a tourist attraction in Aberdeen. It was a double-story boat that served Cantonese-style cooked seafood.The restaurant was temporarily closed during theCOVID-19 outbreak of 2020. On 14 June 2022, it was towed out of Hong Kong to transfer ownership inCambodiaand capsized in theSouth China Seaamidst stormy weather near the Paracel Islands on 19 June 2022.
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 toAp Lei Chauis a popular activity for tourists. The sampans to Ap Lei Chau accept theOctopus Card.
TheAberdeen Country Parkis 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.
TheTin Hau Templein Aberdeen was founded in 1851, and is dedicated toGoddessTin Hau. Every April (23rd day of third lunar month), the temple hosts ceremonies for Tin Hau's birthday. During the ceremony, people decorate their boats on the Aberdeen shores andlion dancesare performed outside the temple.