The competent authority shall draw up and implement the distant water fisheries development plan.
The drawing up of the plan referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be taken into account the fisheries production, livelihood of fishermen, and marine ecology so as to develop the system of sustainable operation of Taiwan distant water fisheries.

For any distant water fisheries operator who intends to conduct exploratory fishing to develop new fishing gear(s), fishing method(s) or fishing ground(s), such operator shall submit an exploratory fishing plan and apply to the competent authority for permission.
The competent authority may request the distant water fisheries operator referred to in the preceding paragraph to conduct the exploratory fishing with the designated research institute.
Regulations on the qualification of the operator, terms and conditions, contents of the plan on exploratory fishing, conditions for permission, period, conditions for revocation, management referred to in paragraph 1 and other requirements shall be prescribed by the competent authority.

The competent authority may assist private sectors to conduct the following matters:
(1) Negotiations related to distant water fisheries or conclusion of agreement(s) with other countries, international fisheries organizations, or foreign organizations or institutes related to fisheries;
(2) Exchange of international information, technology and human resource related to distant water fisheries;
(3) Standardization of international technology, joint researches and cooperation on technology related to distant water fisheries;
(4) Holding international academic meetings or exhibitions related to distant water fisheries;
(5) Researches on overseas markets for fisheries products, or the dissemination of information related to distant water fisheries;
(6) Training of native or foreign crew members, officers or observers;
(7) Other international cooperation matters related to the distant water fisheries.

To encourage distant water fisheries operators to introduce and implement new technology and new technique related to conserving marine ecosystem environment or sustainable operation of distant water fisheries, the competent authority may give appropriate finical aid depending on the finical situations of the government.

To promote the development of researches on science and technology related to distant water fisheries, the competent authority may conduct the following matters:
(1) International cooperation on researches and assessment on marine fisheries resources;
(2) Exploitation of new fishing grounds;
(3) Researches on marine fisheries biodiversity.
(4) Researches and evaluation on sustainable operation of distant water fisheries.