VietNamNet Bridge – The Government will help the deep-sea fishing industry build a high-capacity fleet of fishing boats, deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh said at talks on a draft decree on aquatic production on Friday.

The decree aims to develop new funding and policy mechanisms to build steel fishing vessels and upgrade timber boats in Thanh Hoa, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ben Tre and Ca Mau. "We have a fleet of 120,000 fishing vessels, but 70 per cent are small or wooden. The Government's marine strategy is to boost production and help defend the country's sovereignty," Ninh said.

"The decree will be set up to encourage fishermen and businesses to build high-capacity metal fishing vessels that can stay out in deep sea for longer periods," he said.

Ninh added that the Government would give loan preference to metal vessels.

Deputy Minister of Finance, Do Hoang Anh Tuan, said the credit policy would allow fishermen to borrow up to 95 per cent of the cost of a new metal vessel.

"The owners of new metal boats ships will take out an 11-year loan from commercial banks at five per cent interest. They will pay only one per cent of the rate, while the Government will pay the other four per cent," Tuan told the conference.

The deputy minister said the Government's draft decree offered to pay 100 per cent of insurance costs for fishermen to provide training courses for captain and crew training.

The Deputy PM also suggested that the Government encourage fishermen to develop a fleet of logistics vessels to share the risks at sea.

General director of Song Thu shipyard corporation, Ha Son Hai said it needed to build oil-tankers and mother ships for fishing vessels.

Fisherman Bui Thanh Ngan from Binh Dinh said metal boats were good news, but fishermen would need time to adjust to them.

Vice chairwoman of Binh Dinh Province's people's committee, Tran Thi Thu Ha said fishermen needed training courses in navigation and how to use modern equipment.

Vice chairman of Phu Yen People's committee, Le Van Truc, said maintenance centres and docks were needed for the metal boats.

VNS/VNN