The province currently has more than 420 vessels longer than 6 meters that are either unqualified or no longer suitable for offshore fishing. These vessels will be subject to the decommissioning policy under the provincial People’s Council’s support program.
Local authorities will provide financial assistance covering 50 to 80% of the cost of building a new boat hull, and 70% of the value of a used main engine. Fishermen and their family members who are directly engaged in fishing will also receive partial support for vocational training and be given priority access to preferential loans to start a new business.
Nguyen Huu Dat, a fisherman eligible for support said he is completing the necessary procedures to have his boat decommissioned and to transition to a new livelihood under the provincial policy.
“Fishing has become increasingly difficult and no longer provides enough income for my family. Now that the government is supporting the decommissioning of vessels, I’m very happy. The financial support is enough for me to start a small business. If the government also supports vocational training, I will learn to be a commercial driver in order to have a more stable livelihood,” said Dat.
The vessel decommissioning and career transitioning policy is receiving strong support from fishermen in coastal areas of Gia Lai province.
“We will conduct on-site inspections of the fishing vessels to ensure the policy follows regulations. Once the funds are disbursed to the families, we will proceed with the liquidation of the fishing vessels,” said Nguyen Thanh Danh, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Quy Nhon Dong ward.
