China establishes centre for fishing vessels

The first provincial-level trading centre for fishing vessels, namely the Trading and Service Centre for Marine Fishing Vessels of Zhejiang has been set up recently.

In recent years, deals of trading fishing vessels have increased along with pluralistic structure of property rights coming into being. However, these deals were made in private or through individual agents due to the fact that there was no unified and standardised market for trading.

In such a situation, it was difficult to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of fishermen because of impeded information and non-standardised trading. It also resulted in negative impacts on vessel management, especially the implementation of double-control system and fishery production safety management.

In order to promote standardised management of fishing vessels and protect the legitimate rights and interests of fishermen, the Ministry of Agriculture made a decision in 2009 to launch a pilot project in Zhejiang province, and entrusted the Regional Bureau of East China Sea Fishery Management and the Bureau of Marine and Fisheries of Zhejiang Province to make joint preparations for establishment of the Centre. In March 2010, with approval by the Department of Civil Affairs of Zhejiang province, the Fishery Mutual Assurance Association of Zhejiang province obtained registration for the Centre.

The Centre provides the following services: giving fishermen a place for the trading of fishing vessels as well as technical advice and assessment of pricing; undertaking commissions for certificates, transaction settlement and dispute mediation. The Centre also aims to develop a service-orientated, unified, standardised, fair and efficient market for trading fishing vessels in the province and adjoining areas.

By so doing, the Centre will contribute to standardising trading and enhancing management of fishing vessels, and safeguarding rights and interests of fishermen. At the same time, it will accumulate experience for developing standardised markets for trading fishing vessels in the country.