The provincial government of Guangdong plans to spend 500 million yuan (US$60 million) on 260 projects to help 200,000 fishermen transfer to other industries in five years.

The Southern Metropolitan News said the plan would be carried out starting next year.

Some fishermen in Guangdong's coastal areas have quit because of new international oceanic regulations and a severe decline in fishing resources in recent years. They now comprise a group with special difficulties who need support from the government.

At the beginning of the year, a team formed by various provincial departments investigated the situation in 14 cities in the province's east, west and central parts. It was found that about 100,000 fishermen were threatened with losing their jobs while 100,000 were finding it extremely difficult to make a living. The transfer will involve more than 1 million fishermen and take 10 years.

Some 20,000 fishermen who voluntarily cut back their work will be the first to get help.

Aquaculture, processing and logistics, oceanic fishing, boat and net making, and some non-fishing industrials are among the 260 projects. Further measures will be planned after the first five years.

(Shenzhen Daily October 27, 2003)