Establishing seafood purchasing points for fishermen in Quang Binh

Dozens of tons of seafood from offshore fishing boats that have just reached shore have been purchased by seafood processing enterprises.

In order to promptly share the difficulties with fishermen after the mass fish deaths in the North Central Coast, the Ministry of Industry and Trade coordinated with the People's Committee of Quang Binh province to set up a hotline of the Ministry's Office and a point for purchasing offshore seafood from fishermen in Quang Binh province.

After nearly half a month of not being able to go to sea due to the impact of the mass fish deaths in the North Central Coast, the fishing logistics service ship QB-98145 of fisherman Hoang Nom, residing in Quang Van commune, Ba Don town, Quang Binh province, has gone to sea again. Having just arrived at Song Gianh fishing port this morning (May 1), 21 tons of fish that his ship had bought from many ships at sea were purchased by Phuoc Sang Trading Company Limited, Thuan Loi Company in coordination with Coop Mart Quang Binh Supermarket. The joy was clearly shown on the faces of the fishermen because the fish and shrimp they caught had been consumed.

Mr. Hoang Nom, owner of fishing boat QB - 98145, said that after selling out this trip of fish, he will continue to go out to sea: "If before, there was no news of dead fish, they would buy them at night, sell them, freeze them this morning and leave immediately. Now that the State is sponsoring companies to buy fish, I am very happy. I hope the State will support higher prices so that we can have a profit to pay the workers and pay for fuel and ice."

Ms. Hoang Thi Thuan, owner of Thuan Loi seafood processing and purchasing agency at Song Gianh fishing port, said that today, the authorities came to quarantine and confirm that the fish were safe for food hygiene and safety, and her agency proactively purchased seafood to share the difficulties with fishermen: “Today is the first day of buying. Because there were a few people in the province who came to confirm that this ship was far from shore, quarantined and gave me a certificate, I dared to buy the goods. Now the companies are still buying and selling normally.”

To promptly support and resolve difficulties in seafood consumption, the Ministry of Industry and Trade coordinated with the People's Committee of Quang Binh province to establish a hotline with public phone numbers. Thereby, receiving information and supporting fishermen in purchasing and consuming seafood.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dat, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Quang Binh province, a member of the hotline information processing team of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the People's Committee of Quang Binh province, said: "The task of the hotline is to receive all feedback related to the purchase and transportation of seafood by fishermen in Quang Binh province. If there is feedback from the people, we will advise the agencies to handle it. We, together with other forces, closely monitor and strictly handle acts of taking advantage of this situation to raise prices excessively, or withhold goods from fishermen."

Quang Binh province also organizes the confirmation of origin and product safety certification for offshore seafood; at the same time, encourages all people, organizations, restaurants and hotels to consume offshore seafood normally./.

According to VOV