Some 50 fishery logistics teams with over 100 vessels have been established in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu in addition to investments in 520 high-capacity fishing boats, promoting efficiency of the provincial fisheries sector, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said. The logistics vessels—equipped with refrigerated tanks—purchase seafood and transport the products to the mainland while providing food and fuel for boats on long-term offshore fishing trips. Furthermore, local authorities have organised rescue trainings for the logistics fleets and are providing information on weather reports and fishing ground, helping to minimise loss of lives and property damage and contributing to maintaining marine security. In a bid to enhance local livelihoods, the agricultural sector is studying and evaluating marine resources, establishing seafood exploitation maps and building fish markets and additional logistics vessels. In the first seven months of the year, provincial seafood catches met 63 percent of the yearly plan, rising 5 percent against the same period last year. Shrimp alone stood at over 8,800 tonnes, accounting for 62 percent of the annual plan, easing the shortage of raw materials to process for exports.-VNA