Nghe An discusses solutions to overcome difficulties for fishermen.

On the morning of June 30th, the Provincial People's Committee held a meeting to discuss solutions to improve efficiency and overcome difficulties and obstacles in seafood exploitation. Comrade Hoang Nghia Hieu - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee - chaired the meeting.

Also attending the meeting were representatives from the following departments and agencies: Agriculture and Rural Development, Finance, Planning and Investment, the Provincial Border Guard Command, the Provincial Police, the State Bank of Vietnam branch in Nghe An; and leaders from the districts and towns of Quynh Luu, Dien Chau, Nghi Loc, Cua Lo, Hoang Mai, and coastal communes.

Overview of the meeting. Photo: Xuan Hoang

According to a report from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, as of June 20, 2022, the province had 3,422 vessels (including 1,170 vessels with a maximum length of 15m or more), of which 1,621 were gillnet fishing vessels, 589 were seine net fishing vessels, 704 were purse seine and trawl net fishing vessels, and 348 were other fishing vessels, with 17,014 workers directly employed on board.

Prior to 2021, oil prices remained stable at low levels, resulting in efficient fishing practices, stable yields, and average incomes of 7-8 million VND per person per month, contributing to socio-economic development and stabilizing the lives of fishing communities.

From the early months of 2022 until now,gasoline pricesPrices have been continuously increasing, with oil prices rising by approximately 60% compared to December 31, 2021, leading to increases in other services; the average cost per fishing trip (including diesel fuel, ice, crew salaries, food, fishing gear) has increased by 40-60 million VND compared to 2021.

Mr. Tran Xuan Hoc, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, reported on the current difficulties faced by fishermen in seafood exploitation. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Besides,fishing groundsThe fishing industry is shrinking; resources are severely declining; the Covid-19 pandemic continues to be complex, affecting the distribution channels of seafood products; the prices of harvested seafood products are not increasing; labor shortages are frequent, leading to a decrease in average worker income to 1-2 million VND/person/month; resulting in about 30-40% of fishing vessels being idle.

Mr. Nguyen Van Uoc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Tien Thuy commune (Quynh Luu district), proposed several issues related to the exploitation of marine resources by fishermen at the meeting. Photo: Xuan Hoang

At the meeting, on behalf of the fishermen, leaders from several localities proposed several points: the State needs to have a policy to support fuel prices for fishermen during fishing; the State needs to have a solution regarding policies for purchasing boat insurance; the province needs to have a plan to overcome difficulties for boats built under Decree 67/CP, and the State Bank of Vietnam needs to direct commercial banks to have a plan to extend loan repayment periods for fishermen who built boats under Decree 67/CP.

The relevant authorities are intensifying inspections and taking decisive action against trawling vessels operating outside designated areas, which negatively impacts marine resources. However, there is still a problem of private traders manipulating prices when boats return to port; therefore, the province needs to attract large enterprises to purchase seafood in large quantities...

The sharp increase in fuel prices since the beginning of the year has affected the income of fishermen. Photo: Xuan Hoang

After listening to suggestions from localities and departments, the comradeHoang Nghia HieuConclusion: Historically, the State has implemented policies to support fishermen in seafood harvesting. However, since the beginning of 2022, the high fuel prices have affected fishermen's incomes. Furthermore, there are still some shortcomings at fishing ports, illegal fishing continues to occur, and the rate of inefficient operation of 67/CP vessels is increasing, putting pressure on vessel owners...

Therefore, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the authorities at all levels to continue disseminating legal information to fishermen to ensure strict compliance with the 2017 Fisheries Law and IUU recommendations. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development should take the lead in working with commercial banks and ship owners to classify and provide specific solutions for vessels under Decree 67/CP. A roadmap should be developed to adjust the fishing fleet for rational operation at sea and to create a strategy for aquaculture development. Some fishing ports lack shelters; this needs to be considered soon for investment.

The State Bank of the province is coordinating with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and commercial banks to find a suitable solution for vessel 67/CP.

Regarding the proposed support for fishermen by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for owners of fishing vessels with a maximum length of 6 meters or more, possessing valid fishing vessel registration certificates and fishing licenses, with a support rate of 20,000 VND/HP and a total estimated support budget of over 13 billion VND, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will continue to coordinate with the Department of Finance to increase the support level for fishermen in a more reasonable manner; accordingly, it may include support for port fees, 100% support for the subscription fee of vessel tracking equipment, etc.

For issues that fall outside the province's jurisdiction, we request that relevant authorities and departments continue to submit written requests to the central government for attention and resolution.