Nghe An: Wading through mangrove forests to 'chisel' oysters to earn hundreds of dollars a day
(Baonghean.vn) - When the tide on the Mo River recedes to near the bottom, people in coastal communes of Quynh Luu district bring tools into the mangrove forest to "chisel" oysters. This work requires diligence and hard work, but they can earn hundreds of thousands of dong per session.
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| People living along the Quynh Luu coast wade through the river to "chisel" oysters in the mangrove forest. Photo: Viet Hung |
This season, people who raise oysters on rivers flowing into the sea are in the harvest season. For those who specialize in "chiseling" oysters in the mangrove forests, this is the main business opportunity.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lieu, in Quynh Yen commune (Quynh Luu) said that every month there are usually about 15 days of low water. When the water is low, oysters are found in abundance on rocks and in mangrove forests. People only need to bring a sharp iron hammer to "chisel" out the oyster's intestines.
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| Only when the water in the rivers leading to the estuary recedes can people find oysters. Photo: Viet Hung |
“The guts of oysters that are carved are smaller than those raised in rafts on the river. Therefore, farmers have to be meticulous and carefully remove them to get them. This type of natural oyster is more nutritious and has a higher selling price. If I carve oysters until late afternoon, I can earn about 2 kg of guts, earning more than 250,000 VND,” said Ms. Lieu.
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| Compared to milk oysters, natural oysters are 3 times smaller but have high nutritional content. Photo: Viet Hung |
According to records, along the Mo River through Quynh Minh and An Hoa communes, there are dozens of people who specialize in "chiseling" oysters. Due to the nature of this type of oyster, which often lives as a parasite and clings to obstacles, it is easy to find in river areas, mangrove forests, and reefs at sea.
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| Oysters carved from mangrove forests, living naturally, are sold for 120,000 VND/kg. Photo: Viet Hung |
Ms. Pham Thi Ly in An Hoa commune said that the job of "chiseling" oysters along the mangrove coast can be done all year round, but the most is still from January to June of the lunar calendar. This is the time when oysters grow with the largest intestines and are also easier to find because the tide is lower. On a good day, we can get 5-6 kg of oysters, with the current price of 120,000 VND/kg, we can earn more than 700,000 VND in a day," Ms. Ly said.
