The Vietnamese Government has taken measures to support fishermen to resume fishing operations and ensure safety and efficiency of offshore catching activities.

Agriculture Minister Cao Duc Phat said this to a Saigon Giai Phong reporter on June 20 while talking about difficulties faced by fishermen such as increasing fuel prices, high fishing costs and continual natural disasters.

He said the ministry has implemented a project to equip state-of-the-art satellite communication systems for offshore fishing boats.

The Government will continue to upgrade fish landing facilities and fishing logistic services will also be developed on the sea.

At a recent meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, he said that fishermen had no technical skills in fishing offshore in a safe manner.

To help fishermen deal with fuel price hikes, the ministry has asked the Government to subsidize fuel prices for them.

Mr. Phat said the ministry is working with relevant agencies on this issue.

As prices of seacooking and fuel have fluctuated continuously, the Government will seek an appropriate and sustainable mechanism to give long-term support to fishermen, he added.

The minister said under the mechanism, the Government would encourage fishermen to establish teams to support each other in coping with natural disasters and organize catching activities and logistic services effectively.

The teams will also help to organize purchase of products from fishermen right on the sea, so that fishermen can save fuel costs in transporting their products ashore.

Mr. Phat said the Government has also spent more funds building fish landing sites and supporting offshore fishing activities.

Source: SGGP