The formation of united teams and groups operating at seas has, step by step, helped fishermen in the central province of Quang Nam improve production, participate in sea rescue activities and protect national sovereignty.

After the successful operations of some spontaneous united teams in 2005, Quang Nam Department of Exploitation and Protection of Aquatic Resources has recommended the provincial authorities expand the model to more districts in the locality.

Head of the Department Nguyen Van Gioi said the united teams and groups have built their own operating regulations, supporting each other in offshore fishing.

They all have a common objective of assisting each other, sharing information on fishing grounds, searching for and rescuing other members in emergencies, and protecting the nation’s sacred sovereignty over seas and islands.

Recently, several fishing vessels in distress at sea received timely rescue from their team mates, including ships Qna 91649, Qna 00548 and Qna 90334.

Quang Nam province currently has 104 united teams and groups, with the participation of 844 ship owners. Each team on average comprises five vessels.

During the first month of this year, Quang Nam ’s fishing fleet caught a total of 35,000 tonnes of seafood. The effective operations of the united teams and groups have gradually improved fishermen’s income, contributing significantly to the local economy.

The provincial Fishermen Support Fund has become operational recently with a charter capital of 20 billion VND (950,000 USD). The fund has approved nine loans worth about 12 billion VND to local fishermen to build ships for off-shore fishing.-VNA