Looking out to sea

(Baonghean) -Recently, despite the complicated security situation at sea, fishermen in Nghe An still show their determination to stick to the sea to make a living, thereby contributing to affirming the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland's sea and islands.

Fishermen of Tien Thuy commune (Quynh Luu) prepare to go to sea to protect the sovereignty of the Fatherland's sea and islands.

Throughout the ages, the sea has always been a part of the flesh and blood, an inseparable part of the beloved Vietnamese Fatherland. During the war, many Nghe An fishermen still steadfastly stuck to the sea, quickly fishing, firmly holding guns, contributing to providing food for the army and militia to defeat the invading American invaders. In peacetime, still fishing, they unite together to build new large ships, establish cooperatives to go far out to sea. In production activities, the sea has contributed significantly to improving the lives of the people. And in return, the children of the sea are the "living sovereignty markers" who day and night guard that sacred and inviolable sovereignty. In the face of China's brazen act of illegally placing the HD 981 drilling rig on Vietnam's continental shelf and exclusive economic zone, fishermen expressed their indignation but still steadfastly stuck to the sea, enthusiastically working and producing, affirming the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

In localities with many fishing boats operating offshore such as Quynh Lap, Quynh Phuong (Hoang Mai Town), Quynh Long, Quynh Nghia, Son Hai (Quynh Luu), Dien Bich, Dien Ngoc (Dien Chau), fishermen's activities are still normal, people are united and determined to stick to the sea. Fisherman To Duy Linh, Minh Son hamlet (Tien Thuy) said that he and most fishermen in Quynh Luu are very upset about China's illegal placement of the Haiyang-981 drilling rig along with many escort ships with modern weapons and escort aircraft in Vietnam's sovereign waters in the past few days. This is not only an act of arrogance, violating Vietnam's national sovereignty, contrary to international law; at the same time, chasing away and using large ships to ram Vietnamese fishing boats that are fishing in the traditional fishing grounds of Hoang Sa for many generations of Vietnamese fishermen. Mr. Linh affirmed: We exploit our fishing grounds, there is nothing to be afraid of. Moreover, when we go out to sea to fish, we always go in groups to unite and support each other. In particular, after its launch, the Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance force is always present at fishing grounds, coordinating with other Vietnamese forces to help and protect fishermen, so people can feel secure at sea.

In the middle of a scorching hot noon at Lach Quen fishing port, Mr. Truong Van Tinh (Minh Son hamlet, Tien Thuy commune), owner of the NA 94888TS ship with a capacity of 570 CV, and many other fishermen are hurriedly preparing the necessary tools and supplies to put on board to start a new sea trip. Mr. Tinh said that when he heard that China illegally placed the Haiyang-981 drilling rig in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, he and hundreds of other fishermen in the commune were outraged. And the practical action to affirm the sovereignty of the sea and islands of him and the fishermen in the commune is to continue to stick to the sea.

Although he had just returned from sea, many of his ships quickly prepared fuel and food to go out to sea to catch seafood, contributing to protecting sovereignty. Mr. Tinh confided: "In the past few days, when we heard the news that the situation was so tense, we fishermen also felt our blood boil." Although our ships have a tradition of fishing in the Gulf of Tonkin, which is very far from the Hoang Sa sea area where China is illegally placing its drilling rig, for fishermen, the sea is home everywhere. Having been at sea for more than 5 years, my recent trips to sea always brought me a very special feeling. I went to sea with the mindset of being there for my people, for the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland. When the country needs it, we will contribute together with other forces to protect national sovereignty," Mr. Tinh confided.

The fleet prepares to set sail.

Not only indignant at China's insolent actions of illegally placing the drilling rig and banning fishing, Mr. Phan Van Hai, Hop Tien hamlet, Quynh Lap commune (Hoang Mai town) is eager to set sail with fishermen from many other provinces and cities to head straight to Hoang Sa. Originally a child of a fishing village, after finishing high school, Mr. Hai did not register for university entrance exams but was determined to follow a career in the sea. Because for him, the sea has been a close friend since childhood, a desire to conquer when his father let him go out to sea. Now, with a 640 CV boat, Mr. Hai is the first person in the province to register to exploit the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa fishing grounds. These are two new fishing grounds and have only heard about them from friends in other provinces, but for him, they are a burning desire and dream. Mr. Hai said: This is a large fishing ground, abundant in shrimp and fish, and especially many species of fish with high value. But above all, fishing in this fishing ground is contributing to protecting the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland. “No matter how aggressive and arrogant China is, we are not afraid because it is our sea, our fish, and we have the right to exploit it. We fishermen consider the sea as our mother and father, and no human can live far away from their parents,” Hai confided.

In addition, based on the effectiveness of offshore fishing, many fishermen in the province have boldly invested in upgrading capacity and building new ships with large capacity, equipped with many modern machines for fishing such as long-distance Icom machines, walkie-talkies, horizontal detectors... At this time, one of the driving forces contributing to bringing powerful fleets in localities to firmly go to sea to both exploit effectively and ensure safety, it is necessary for fishing groups to always work together during operations. Currently, the whole province has established 224 fishing cooperatives. The cooperatives at sea are all closely linked and responsible for supporting each other in production or when there are incidents.

In addition, the establishment of maritime militia squads and platoons in Quynh Luu, Dien Chau, Nghi Loc districts and Cua Lo town has contributed to encouraging local fishermen to firmly stick to the sea, exploit aquatic products, and strengthen the strength to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland in the current new situation. Mr. Nguyen Van Ke, Chairman of the Tien Thuy Commune Fisheries Association (Quynh Luu) said that in recent days, fishermen in the commune have still gone to sea as usual because it is the southern fishing season, which is considered the "profitable" season for fishermen. In particular, dozens of offshore fishing vessels have been more persistent and united while going to sea in recent weeks. Moreover, partly because of anger at China's arrogant actions, fishermen in the commune are even more determined to stick to the sea.

The open sea has never been peaceful. But the brave hearts, the determined will of the fishermen and the red national flag on the ships have said it all about their bravery and belief. "If the Fatherland today is seen from the sea/ There is a part of its flesh and blood in Hoang Sa... The thousand-year-old national soul refuses to be subdued/ The shape of the ship still points out to sea...".

Pham Bang