Photo taken on July 28, 2017 shows fishing boats around a dock at Zhifu island in Yantai, East China's Shandong Province. [Photo by Gao Qimin/Xinhua]

Starting from 2018, old fishing boats operating past their design lifetimes will no longer be entitled to fuel subsidies, according to the Yantai Municipal Oceanic and Fishery Affairs Bureau.

The move is part of the city's efforts to replace old growth drivers with new ones.

Licensed fisherman can submit their documents to apply for fuel subsidies, the bureau said, adding that those who conducted illegal activities in 2017 will see their subsidies get reduced in 2018.

Dragnet trawlers operating in domestic waters should not apply for fuel subsidies starting from 2020 in accordance with the regulations released by China's Ministry of Agriculture, the bureau noted.

An aerial view of the Yantai port in the Zhifu district. [Photo/jiaodong.net]