An inland team competitor demonstrates speedboat rescue in the rescue program at a national competition on safe fishery production at Shanghai Ocean University on July 30. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

A national-level competition focusing on safe fishery production wrapped up July 30 at Shanghai Ocean University, aiming to promote inspectors' practical skills to ensure safe and sustainable fishery development in China.

A total of 150 competitors from 38 teams selected from fishery law enforcement departments of 17 cities and provinces across China took part in the contest. Among them, 12 teams and 12 individuals were awarded for their outstanding performance.

During the two-day event, competitors were divided in inland and ocean teams, showcasing their experience and skills in various dimensions including theories, reporting, vessel inspection, speedboat handling, water survival and rescue.

The competition programs are designed in accordance to inspectors' everyday work, and have simulated the situation and changing conditions in waters and weather, which are of much practical value, explained the judges.

"Fishery is a high-stakes industry, and this competition actually means more than a competition. It is more of a kind of 'competitive training', as we regard the event as an opportunity for competitors to figure out their weakness in practical work, so that they can improve on positions and better safeguard safe and sustainable fishery development," said Xia Liang, a judge of the contest and a professor at the School of Marine Biological Resources and Management at Shanghai Ocean University, one of the event's organizers.

Lan Guangcha, a 39-year-old fishery law enforcement officer from Suzhou, Jiangsu province, got the highest individual score out of all inland teams. His three-man team also topped the inland teams in the competition.

"The competition provided us a good platform to communicate, learn and share experience with our counterparts from across the nation. And the programs, such as the theory and regulation tests, are actually helpful to our practical work," said Lan.

In the ocean team sector, a team from Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region took the first place, and 34-year-old Zhang Shaowen from Weihai, Shandong province, stood at the top.

An ocean team competitor showcases water survival and rescue skills in the rescue program at a national competition on safe fishery production at Shanghai Ocean University on July 30. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]