According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Fisheries, the number of officially licensed fishing vessels has now reached 502. Of these, the majority consists of 460 vessels engaged in pole-and-line fishing. Compared to the previous year, the number of vessels targeting skipjack tuna has increased by 250, while there is also a notable shift from traditional wooden boats to modern fiber-reinforced vessels. Furthermore, extensive efforts are being made to expand the fisheries industry by facilitating loans for fishermen and developing emerging sectors such as recreational fishing and mariculture.
