Hanoi (VNA) – Wrongdoings in building steel fishing vessels that madethem fail to operate have affected the Government’s policy to develop a modernfishing fleet in service of offshore fishing and the nation’s sea sovereigntydefence, and responsibilities will be clarified, according to Minister ofAgriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong.

The Minister was grilled by National Assembly deputies about the failure ofseveral steel fishing vessels after operating in a short time during thequestion and answer (Q&A) session as part of the ongoing third meeting ofthe 14th NA in Hanoi on June 13.

Cuongsaid in accordance with the government’s policy of strengthening resources forshipbuilding to raise seafood output and defend Vietnam’s sea sovereignty, the Ministriesof Agriculture and Rural Development, Finance, Planning and Investment haveworked closely with the State Bank of Vietnam to fine-tune documents toinstruct fishermen to build new, modern fishing vessels.

Asa result, 234 facilities have been qualified to build vessels in 28 localitiesnationwide.

Sofar, up to 666 iron, wood, and composite vessels out of the total 2,284 havebeen built nationwide, 297 of which have 800-horsepower engines and above usedfor offshore fishing.

Fishermenin many localities have improved their income thanks to the project, accordingto the minister.

Apartfrom achievements, a number of fishing vessels in the central provinces of BinhDinh and Phu Yen suffered failures.

Two vessels in Phu Yen experiencing minor damage were repaired and put intouse.

Meanwhile,19 others, built by Dai Nguyen Duong and Nam Trieu companies, suffered failuresin engines and steel coat.

Uponhearing about the incidents, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)has promptly asked 27 cities and provinces to check if new vessels are workingproperly, Cuong explained.

Representativesfrom the Directorate of Fisheries also held a working session with Binh Dinhprovincial authorities, fishermen and shipbuilders to clarify responsibilitiesof parties concerned.

Cuongsaid the MARD also held a conference in Binh Dinh, to which leaders of 27cities and provinces, shipbuilders, fishermen and experts were invited, to seeksolutions to the issue.

Accordingly,Dai Nguyen Duong and Nam Trieu companies will replace failed engines and ​steel hulls with new ones. They will also be responsible for fishermen’s income lossesas vessels with broken engines were unable to go fishing.

BinhDinh also established an independent inspection team and asked public securityforces to investigate the cause of 19 fishing vessels’ failures.

TheMARD has also actively worked with Binh Dinh authorities to speed up theworking progress of the inspection team and relevant units, so that a reportcould be submitted to the Prime Minister in late July, Minister Cuong said.-VNA