Developing pelagic fishing can help to relieve national food security pressure, expand ocean fishing space and protect national maritime interests. In 2015, there were 2 512 pelagic fishing vessels in China with a total power of 2,160,000 kilowatts, accounting for less than 0.3% of the total number of fishing vessels and closed to 10% of the total power. Based on the general amount, total power and fishing type of pelagic vessels for tuna, squid, saury and Antarctic krill etc., this paper describes the current situation of pelagic vessels in terms of their energy consumption, age, basic fishing gear material, fish detection and attraction equipment, fishing equipment and mode, automation and stability of deck facilities, etc., and points out that the performance index of the present fishing equipment standardization system is rather low and lack of guiding and constraining functions. Based on the problems identified, strategies are proposed to promote pelagic fishing vessels development, including, upgrading and reforming fishing vessels, increasing the automation and information level of key equipment, constructing formation mechanism for new standards of fishing vessels and equipment, and realizing the whole life-cycle standardization.