The fleet of squid fishing ships gets ready to depart Zhoushan, bound for North Pacific fishing grounds. [Photo/www.wifizs.cn]

In Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, a fleet of 12 squid fishing ships set sail for North Pacific fishing grounds on April 13, marking the city's first big ocean fishing fleet of the year to head to that region.

Operated by China National Fisheries Corporation Zhoushan Overseas Fisheries Co, the squid fishing ships will engage in an eight-month fishing operation.

Among the fleet, 10 ships are newly built, each with a tonnage of 349 metric tons. The fleet is expected to bring home a catch of about 8,000 tons.

The ships were meticulously prepared over five months in Zhoushan. The journey to the western North Pacific fishing grounds will take about two weeks, where they'll conduct deep-sea squid fishing operations.

"In recent years, the ships have been modernized with air conditioning and freshwater purifiers in every room, and the fishing lights have also been upgraded from 1,000 watts to 2,000-3,000 watts, attracting squid more efficiently," said Rong Fuqing, one of the vessel captains.

The China National Fisheries Corporation Zhoushan Overseas Fisheries Co now has 70 ocean fishing ships, boasting the largest ocean fishing fleet in China. Most of its ships operate in North Pacific, Southeast Pacific, and Southwest Atlantic fishing grounds.

Plans are underway to expand the fleet, with a second batch of 10 squid fishing ships set to depart on April 18.