Praying to sea goddess Tin Hau

Today promises to be a big day for fishermen like Johnny Wong Wah-yau. Mr Wong, 40, and his family have been busy decorating his 20-metre fishing boat at Shau Kei Wan with colourful banners and flags to celebrate the Tin Hau Festival.

The festival, which falls on the 23rd day of the third moon in the Chinese calendar, is the birthday of Tin Hau, the goddess of seafarers. There are about 14,000 fishermen in Hong Kong, many of whom believe Tin Hau controls the elements, especially the wind and sea. They ask her to protect them and give them a good fishing harvest.

Mr Wong has been in the fishing industry since he was a child. His father and grandfather were also fishermen. He is married with three children.

What's on your mind? I am thinking of what to say to Tin Hau. My family and I will take our boat from Shau Kei Wan to Tai Miu Temple in Joss House Bay, Clear Water Bay. I applied to the Marine Department for a permit two weeks ago and I started decorating my boat a few days ago. I have not been fishing for the past two days to make sure everything will be fine.

The festival is important to fishermen. Many fishermen will stop work and go to the temples to worship.

What do you wish from Tin Hau? I am not greedy. I just hope for good health and better business. The business has not been good because of pollution in Hong Kong waters. The number of fish we catch has halved in recent years. Many fishermen have sold their boats and moved to other industries. I want to do other jobs but I cannot. I only know how to catch fish.