Three distant-water fishing companies from Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, are operating in Africa, with a total of 26 vessels spread across Angola, Senegal, and Guinea, according to Tide News on Sept 4.

The information screen at Zhoushan Haideli Ocean Fisheries Co displayed that six of its fishing vessels are operating in Angola's exclusive economic zone, 22.22 to 370.40 kilometers off the coast. Additionally, two new vessels are rounding the Cape of Good Hope en route to the fishing grounds.

In 2023, a single vessel achieved a yield of over 2,700 metric tons. Including the two en route, Zhoushan Haideli now has a fleet of 17 vessels operating in Africa, according to Shen An, chairman of the board.

"This year, we are applying to the provincial government to establish a support base in Angola, which includes a hospital, dock, supply center, processing plant with a capacity of 300 to 500 tons, and a 10,000-ton cold storage facility, forming a complete industrial chain," said Shen An.

Zhejiang Xingwang Ocean Fisheries Co plans to retrofit four vessels for crab pot operations in Kenya, with its sights set on the prized golden crab. The live crabs will be airfreighted directly to China.

The company has nearly completed the retrofitting of two vessels, with two more in the application process, expecting to begin operations in the second half of the year, with a projected annual yield of 800 to 1,000 tons per vessel.