To gain firsthand understanding of fishery development in the Penghu area, Premier Jiang Yi-huah today inspected the Wai-an fishing port's expansion project.
After hearing related briefings, he called for continued collaboration between the central and local governments and the fishery sector to foster a fishery environment that is conducive to both development and sustainability.
Because of its unique geographical position, the Wai-an fishing port is very suitable for fishery development and is Penghu's main fishing port, the premier pointed out, and as the fishery business is flourishing here, the mooring berths have become insufficient.
Hence, since 2007 the Penghu County Government (PCG) has been raising funds to expand the fishing port, and from 2008 onward, the COA's Fisheries Agency has also been providing the PCG subsidies for this project. When this expansion project is completed, the port's east pier will boast 40 more mooring berths for fishing vessels under 20 tons.
The Wai-an fishing port is blessed with advantageous natural environment and resources, and it should be properly planned out, Jiang advised. He therefore directed the COA and Fisheries Agency to help guide the PCG in researching and analyzing the industries the county government needs to develop, then submit a report to the Executive Yuan for deliberation as soon as possible.
Should the county government face a shortage of funds, the central government will do its best to help, the premier reiterated, promising that the administration will continue to help the PCG augment Penghu's fishery construction so that the region's fishing industry will harbor a bright future.
The premier was accompanied on his inspection of the port project by Executive Yuan Spokesperson Sun Lih-chyun, Executive Yuan Deputy Secretary-General Hsiao Chia-chi, Council of Agriculture (COA) Vice Minister Hu Sing-hwa and Penghu County Magistrate Wang Chien-fa.