It exceeds the province’s target for the year, according to its FisheriesSub-department.
Favourable weather and a large number of boats fishing offshore have been themajor reasons for the rise in catch, the sub-department said.
The prices of fuel have been high this year but 90% of the province’s fishingfleet continued to operate, it said.
Vo Hong Ly, a boat owner in Phan Rang-Thap Cham city’s Dong Hai ward, said goodweather and the sub-department’s dissemination of accurate information aboutfishing grounds helped fish efficiently.
Fishing boats managed large catches and got good prices for them, he said.
His boat makes two trips to sea every month, and catches two to three tonnes ofseafood to earn 150-200 million VND (6,400-8,500 USD), he said.
“After deducting costs, profits account for half.”
Dang Van Tin, head of the sub-department, said the province targeted 124,000tonnes of seafood this year and to achieve it encouraged boat owners to upgradetheir vessels with high-capacity and modern equipment for offshore fishing.
The sub-department has supported them with establishing offshore fishing groupsto enable them to stay longer at sea and increase their catches, and help eachother when there are accidents or natural disasters, he added.
It has strengthened advocacy activities to prevent illegal, unreported andunregulated fishing, and generally tightened oversight of fishing activities.
It has strictly penalised vessels that violate fishing regulations.
Up to 98% of the province’s 812 offshore fishing boats measuring at least 15mhave been installed with vessel monitoring systems.
All such boats are required to instal them to monitor their fishing activitiesand enable rescue if needed.
Most offshore fishing boats strictly comply with regulations on reportingcatches and maintaining catch diaries, according to the sub-department.
The province has had no boats fishing illegally in foreign waters, it added./.