It is the fishermen who decide the fishing efficiency.

(Baonghean.vn) - To continue to stick to the sea and get rich from the sea, the important solution is that fishermen need to pay attention to building a consumption market. Fishermen themselves are the most important people in the story of increasing the consumption capacity as well as the value of products.

» Nghe An fishermen: 'If I don't go to sea for a day, I feel anxious'

» Nghe An fishermen hit it big in new fishing season

After the environmental incident in the central coastal region, there was a period of time when fishing and seafood exploitation activities were seriously affected, especially in coastal areas of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri provinces... In Nghe An, although not located in the polluted area, it was still affected to some extent; total exploitation output did not decrease, but the value of products after exploitation decreased significantly. That is the truth.

However, immediately after that, the Central Government, ministries, branches and localities implemented many remedial measures, strictly monitored the marine environment; publicized monitoring data on the media and issued recommendations to fishermen and consumers. In addition, they promoted propaganda, mobilization, and confirmed the origin of seafood exploited in safe sea areas...

Fish sauce and shrimp paste producers in Song Ngoc parish (Quynh Ngoc commune) purchase raw materials at Lach Quen wharf. Photo: Nhu Thuy

Specifically, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development directed the fisheries control force to support and coordinate with the People's Committees of the four provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien - Hue to increase patrols and mobilize fishermen not to use bottom-fishing in the sea area 20 nautical miles from shore, until there is an official conclusion from the Ministry of Health that some indicators for bottom-fishing are safe.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment urges Formosa Ha Tinh Company to complete the proposed schedule of overcoming violations; assess environmental impacts, and take measures to prevent underground discharge pipes into the sea in accordance with the law. The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, and the People's Committees of 4 provinces monitor the quality of the marine environment and food safety for seafood exploited in 4 central provinces. Currently, the payment of compensation and support for damages to people affected by the environmental incident is also being urgently completed...

Nghe An also regularly organizes marine environmental monitoring sessions. In 2016 alone, 43 marine environmental monitoring sessions were conducted in Cua Lo, Cua Hoi... and the results showed that the parameters were within the allowable limits. These activities are aimed at helping fishermen feel secure in their fishing; helping consumers feel secure in using marine products in safe areas, specifically the traditional fishing grounds where Nghe An fishermen often participate in fishing.

Thanks to the drastic and responsible actions of the entire political system and the majority of the people, consumers have had the right awareness and feel secure in using seafood products. The evidence is that from the beginning of November 2016 until now, the seafood consumption market has been stable. Even the selling price increased dramatically before, during and after Tet and is currently still at a high level (abalone fish 50,000 VND/kg, spotted fish 17,000 VND/kg...). Thanks to that, the first fishing trips of the year, although not the main fishing season (southern fish season), fishermen still won big in both output and value, income, and people's lives have improved a lot.

Mr. Ta Xuan Bay - a fisherman in Tien Thuy commune (Quynh Luu) who "hit the jackpot" on his first fishing trip of the year happily said: "In early February, we went out to sea for only 4 days and caught 15 tons of fish, mainly black-spotted fish; with a selling price of 22,000 VND/kg, after deducting expenses, each person earned more than 10 million VND. I don't know about other places, but here, we only had difficulties for a short time, then returned to normal operations. Everyone is happy and excited because the seafood fishing season is good and the price is good. We will continue to go out to sea, because this is the source of income for our families and also the responsibility of fishermen in protecting the fishing grounds, protecting the sovereignty of our homeland's sea and islands."

The fishing boat with registration number NA 96989 TS of Mr. Ta Xuan Bay is a fishing boat built with capital borrowed from Decree 67 of the Government. Photo: Duc Anh

Currently, fishing activities have returned to normal. With the support of the State, fishermen continue to build more large ships, large engines; modern functions, fishing nets and gear. Fishermen in Quynh Luu, Dien Chau, Nghi Loc districts, Cua Lo town, Hoang Mai town still stick to the sea day and night, going offshore. The sea is safe, fishermen's catch has increased sharply, prices are stable and higher than before.

Therefore, to continue to stick to the sea and get rich from the sea, the important solution is that fishermen need to pay attention to building a consumer market, creating a chain of links, a product chain from producers, fishermen to consumers; together with the competent authorities certifying the origin of seafood. People need to have a common awareness, stabilize the production and processing situation, improve product quality, to protect their own immediate and long-term interests. Fishermen themselves are the most important people in the story of improving the consumption capacity as well as the value of products.

These protests and baseless demands only waste people’s time and affect their fishing, production, and business activities, their families, and their communities. It is even possible that people themselves are being exploited to create instability in social order and security, affecting the investment environment and the country’s socio-economic development.

The Party, the State, ministries, branches, and authorities at all levels have been involved in the fight and clarification of issues related to the Formosa incident in accordance with Vietnamese law. At the same time, the enterprise itself has committed to taking responsibility for remedying and handling the incident. Recently, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and scientists have inspected, evaluated, and reported that FHS has corrected 52/53 violations.

The sea always welcomes and does not disappoint the hard-working fishermen who work hard to bring material and spiritual life to their families, and peace to their villages and society. The sea waits for fishermen, the mainland waits for the benefits and resources from the sea.

PV Group