Xiamen’s favorable policy on open-water (pelagic) fishing is waiting for approval, in order to support pelagic fishing in enterprise settlement, funding and personnel.

Xiamen plans to own 100 pelagic fishing vessels with an output of 220,000 tons and an output value of 5.6 billion yuan ($910 million) in 2017.

Xiamen has an annual demand for aquatic products of 100,000 tons, while there is a supply shortage of 20,000 tons, which needs 100 - 120 pelagic fishing ships to meet the demand.

Xiamen will support pelagic fishing enterprises with funding. Enterprises which set their headquarters or register in Xiamen can get a bounty of over 1 million yuan if they match the detailed terms of registering capital and vessels’ total tonnage, according to the policy, which is still under revision.

As well as the enterprises, buyers and manufacturers can also get subsidies from the government.

Xiamen plans to build a pelagic fishery park by integrating the existing fishing ports and bases under a principle of land saving and low carbon. Local government is set to allocate an annual fishing fund of up to 8 million yuan.

Xiamen government encourages enterprises and local colleges to cultivate more professionals and will financially support fishermen’s training. Fishermen will enjoy a bounty if they get a permanent job in pelagic fishing ships. The government may underwrite the cost of 40 percent of special insurance for seamen, according to the policy.