The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has fulfilled its seafood catch output target set for 2014.

Local fishermen have caught 420,000 tonnes of fish and other creatures from the sea which were of high value and qualified for export.

Nguyen Hoang Thang, a fisherman from An Thoi town, Phu Quoc district, joyously talked about favourable weather and the arrival of new shoals of fish, notably anchovy, in the traditional fishing grounds.

He said he brought home over 10 tonnes of anchovy after a one-week fishing trip, earning around 100 million VND (4,700 USD) in profit.

With the government’s support, many fishermen were able to access bank loans to upgrade their vessels and buy advanced fishing equipment, such as locators and fish finding sonar.

They have also operated more effectively as a result of a new fishing approach which requires fishermen to work together as a team at sea.

Head of the Rach Gia City Fishery Association Truong Van Ngu noted he has saved up to hundreds of millions dong thanks to the new approach.

K ien Giang province is currently home to hundreds of fishing teams, which are accompanies by logistics ships to help them take on longer trips.

The province has had 12,000 vessels of various types by November 2014, 40 percent of which are capable of going fishing offshore.

Seafood production contributes to 15 – 20 percent of the province’s economic growth.-VNA