Exploiting potential, rising to master the ocean

(Baonghean.vn) - 55 years ago, President Ho Chi Minh visited fishermen on Tuan Chau Island, Quang Ninh Province and Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong City. Here, he advised: "Our silver sea is owned by our people...". From that day until now, implementing his teachings, generations of cadres, party members, army, people, workers and seafood workers across the country in general, Nghe An in particular, have strived tirelessly to truly be the owners of the sea, in all fields: maintaining sovereignty, territorial integrity, exploiting the potential of the sea, enriching their families and the country. In 1995, the Prime Minister decided to take April 1 every year as Vietnam Fisheries Traditional Day.

Nghe An has 82 km of coastline, which is a favorable condition for developing the marine economy. For generations, the sea has been a place to feed many generations of people, contributing significantly to the development of the province's economy. The history of Nghe An's fishing industry is the history of the people's fishing industry, inheriting the achievements of many generations of predecessors. Today, many generations of fishermen are contributing their efforts, sweat and even blood to create material wealth for society, contributing to protecting the territory of our beloved Fatherland.

Nowadays, in the process of innovation, the marine economy in general and fisheries in particular are playing an important role in the economy. As part of the marine economic development strategy, fisheries in Nghe An have made remarkable progress in recent years, making an important contribution to the provincial economy. Promoting strengths, proactively implementing action programs to implement Resolution No. 17 of the Provincial Party Committee, on the action program to implement the Resolution of the 4th Conference of the Party Central Committee, 10th tenure on Vietnam's Marine Strategy to 2020. Nghe An's fisheries have had a rapid and stable growth rate. In 2013, the total output of the province reached 127,000 tons, equal to 119.8% compared to 2011.

Fishermen in Quynh Long commune (Quynh Luu) exploit seafood offshore in the Gulf of Tonkin. Photo: Dinh Sam

In 2013, the aquaculture area was 23,440 hectares. The aquaculture output reached 42,125 tons, equal to 107.24% compared to 2011. With a system of shrimp farms, nurseries, and a system of level 1 and level 2 fish farms, and 1 aquatic breeding center, 300 million tiger prawns, 10 million crabs, 500 million fish fry and many new aquatic breeds have been produced... with good quality and reasonable prices. The movement of raising white-leg shrimp, raising rice-field fish on dams, and raising mollusks is developing strongly in the communes of the coastal areas, bringing high income, attracting many workers, investors and converting to intensive, high-yield and sustainable aquaculture.

The management and development of fishing exploitation, registration of fishing vessels and protection of aquatic resources are focused on. The total number of registered fishing vessels in the province is 4,022, with a total capacity of 369,453 CV, of which 1,085 vessels have a capacity of 90 CV or more, developing exploitation capacity in the right direction. The output of exploited seafood reached 85,000 tons, equal to 127% compared to 2011. Inspecting and evaluating the capacity of new ship building and repair facilities, 2,278 ships were inspected. Coordinate with districts and forces, propagate against the use of electric shock, explosives to destroy aquatic resources, build a model of career conversion and co-management in fisheries. Organize the release of seeds to regenerate aquatic resources on rivers, large lakes and at sea.

The private seafood processing system through the programs has been trained in vocational skills, accessed to knowledge of craft village management, ensured and managed quality, and produced value-added products. Seafood processing for export reached 26,165 tons, with a production value of 393.6 billion VND. Fish sauce processing reached over 19.2 million liters. Enterprises have focused on investing in technical equipment, registering trademarks, ensuring the quality and food safety of seafood, and minimizing costs to maintain high-income production for workers in the context of rising bank interest rates and prices of materials and gasoline.

In recent times, the industry has applied scientific and technical advances to aquaculture production, creating new momentum to promote production development. In aquaculture exploitation, concentrated aquaculture areas in Quynh Luu, Dien Chau, Nghi Loc have been continuously invested in and improved. To overcome shortcomings in management, the Agriculture and Rural Development sector has coordinated with local authorities and relevant agencies to guide, assist and advise production units through the following forms: organizing short-term training courses, visiting and studying advanced models, and training. Hundreds of motorboat captains of all types and hundreds of grassroots fisheries extension officers have been trained, providing guidance and training for thousands of households to change their jobs and get rich from fishing. Disease prevention and quarantine work has been invested in and upgraded to operate smoothly and orderly. Quarantine stations and a center for analyzing aquatic diseases with modern equipment have effectively served to prevent diseases, making people feel secure to invest in aquatic production.

Investment in infrastructure and logistics services for fisheries is increasingly receiving due attention. Fishing ports and storm shelters are being invested in, upgraded and put into operation more and more effectively. This is the center for exchanging fishing products and services of the province, where boats are anchored, to create conditions for exploitation and investment in infrastructure for processing and services in the port to develop. Ice factories, processing and preservation factories are being invested in and built with road, electricity and water systems to really stimulate the development of production and services for fisheries, changing the mindset and appearance of rural coastal areas.

In 2014, Nghe An Fisheries Industry strives to achieve and exceed the set targets. Total aquatic product output is 137,000 tons, of which seafood exploitation output is 89,000 tons; aquaculture output is 44,000 tons; inland aquatic product exploitation output is 4,000 tons; production of over 19 million liters of fish sauce. Striving to achieve 27,000 tons of processed seafood products for export, reaching an export turnover of 23 million USD. To achieve that result, the industry will increase the application of high technology to increase productivity on the aquaculture area of ​​21,000 hectares. Produce 1,000 million shrimp seeds, produce and supply enough quality fish fry in the right season. Along with that is investing in upgrading the fleet of ships over 90 CV to 1,220, with modern maritime equipment, meeting the requirements of effective offshore exploitation, mobilizing resources to build new ships with a capacity of over 90 CV. Taking advantage of project programs and other resources to promote vocational training, techniques, management, and minimizing the impact of climate change to promote fisheries potential.

To achieve the plan, it requires great dynamic efforts from managers, authorities at all levels, and people; taking advantage of all support, exploiting advantages and potentials to overcome all difficulties and challenges, determined to continue developing Nghe An's fisheries, commensurate with the province's potential and the heroic tradition of those working in fisheries.

Tran Huu Tien(Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development)