Nghe An discusses solutions to remove difficulties for fishermen

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

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

Overview of the meeting. Photo: Xuan Hoang

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

Before 2021, oil prices were stable at a low level, so the exploitation was effective, the output was stable, and the average income was 7-8 million VND/person/month, contributing to socio-economic development and stabilizing the lives of the fishing community.

From the first months of 2022 until now,gasoline pricescontinuously increased, of which oil increased by about 60% compared to December 31, 2021, causing other services to increase as well; the average cost per sea trip including (diesel, ice, crew salaries, food, provisions, fishing gear) 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 of fishermen in seafood exploitation. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Besides,fishing groundsare narrowed; resources are seriously declining; the Covid-19 epidemic continues to develop complicatedly, the distribution channels of aquatic products are affected; the price of exploited aquatic products does not increase; labor shortages often occur, so the average income of workers has decreased to 1-2 million VND/person/month; leading to about 30-40% of fishing boats being stranded.

Mr. Nguyen Van Uoc - Chairman of Tien Thuy Commune People's Committee (Quynh Luu) proposed some contents related to seafood exploitation by fishermen at the meeting. Photo: Xuan Hoang

At the meeting, on behalf of fishermen, leaders of some localities proposed a number of contents: The State needs to have a policy to support oil prices for fishermen during fishing; request the State to have a solution on the policy of purchasing boat insurance; request the province to have a plan to remove difficulties for boats built under Decree 67/CP, at the same time the State Bank directs commercial banks to have a plan to extend debt for fishermen building boats 67/CP.

Specialized agencies have stepped up inspections and resolutely dealt with fishing vessels using trawling and fishing in the wrong areas, affecting marine aquatic resources. There is still a situation of traders forcing down prices when boats return to port, so the province needs to attract large enterprises to purchase seafood in large quantities...

The high fuel prices since the beginning of the year have affected the income of fishermen. Photo: Xuan Hoang

After listening to suggestions from localities and departments, comradeHoang Nghia HieuConclusion: Up to now, the State has had policies to support fishermen in catching seafood, however, since the beginning of 2022, the high fuel price has affected the income of fishermen. In addition, there are still some problems at fishing ports, illegal fishing still occurs; the rate of inefficient 67/CP ships is increasing, putting pressure on ship owners...

Therefore, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and authorities at all levels to continue to propagate the law to fishermen to strictly implement the 2017 Fisheries Law and the recommendations of IUU. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development shall preside over working with commercial banks and ship owners to classify and have specific solutions for ship 67/CP. Develop a roadmap to adjust the fishing fleet to operate reasonably at sea and have a strategy for aquaculture development. Some fishing ports do not have roofs, which need to be considered soon for investment direction.

The State Bank of the province coordinates with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and commercial banks to have a reasonable solution for ship 67/CP.

Regarding the support for fishermen as proposed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for fishing vessel owners with a maximum length of 6 meters or more, with a fishing vessel registration certificate and a valid fishing license according to regulations, with a support level of 20,000 VND/CV, the total estimated support cost is more than 13 billion VND, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development continues to coordinate with the Department of Finance to increase the support level for fishermen in a more reasonable way; accordingly, it is possible to support port fees, support 100% of the subscription fee for voyage monitoring equipment...

For issues that are not under the province's authority, it is recommended that authorities at all levels and sectors continue to have documents requesting the Central Government to pay attention and handle them.