Fuzhou-based fishing company Pingtan Marine Enterprise has been awarded official approval by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture to modify and rebuild 24 of its vessels.
The vessels, which the company originally built for its own fishing fleet, will be modified to be better suited for fishing conditions in international waters in the Indian, North Pacific, Southeast Pacific, and Southwest Atlantic oceans.
The modifications will involve increasing the vessels' gross tonnages and upgrading their fishing methods.
Fifteen vessels will be modified for squid jigging while the remaining nine boats will be converted to conduct light luring seining.