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 othercreatures from the sea which were of high value and qualified forexport.

Nguyen Hoang Thang, a fisherman from AnThoi town, Phu Quoc district, joyously talked about favourable weatherand the arrival of new shoals of fish, notably anchovy, in thetraditional fishing grounds.

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

Withthe government’s support, many fishermen were able to access bank loansto upgrade their vessels and buy advanced fishing equipment, such aslocators and fish finding sonar.

They have alsooperated more effectively as a result of a new fishing approach whichrequires fishermen to work together as a team at sea.

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

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

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

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