A steel fishing vessel was launched in the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone on July 2.

The first steel fishing vessel manufactured by Pingtan county was launched on July 2. [Photo/pingtan.gov.cn]

The 32-meter by 6-meter medium-sized Minpingyu 630066, powered by a 187 kW motor, is the first one of six steel fishing ships manufactured independently by Pingtan, at a cost of more than 1 million yuan ($160,100).

It will be equipped with navigation and communication devices and start trial voyages, and is anticipated to officially begin fishing on Aug 1, when the fishing ban is lifted.

Pingtan was granted the authority to supervise the manufacturing of fishing ships on March, according to insiders.

Fishery is a pillar industry in Pingtan, where there are more then 1,100 fishing vessels of all sorts, including 330 medium sized or bigger.