The United Nations says December's Indian Ocean tsunami caused around $520 million in damage to fishing industries in seven of the worst hit countries.

The U.N.'s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) said the tsunami destroyed or damaged more than 111,000 fishing vessels in the region. It said the loss was significant in a region where fishing provides a vital source of food.

The FAO's estimate includes damage to fishing industries in Indonesia, Maldives, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

The agency says it has sent experts to help rebuild fishing industry infrastructure lost in the disaster and is developing strategies for long-term recovery in the region.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AFP.