Nghe An fishermen have a bumper fishing season

(Baonghean) - Recently, many fishing boats of Nghe An fishermen such as Quynh Luu, Hoang Mai,... have continuously docked in the port in the joy of a good seafood fishing season. In the first 8 months of 2017, the total seafood output of the province was estimated at 88,208 tons, with a total value of VND 2,249,740 billion. This is a good sign for fishermen determined to go offshore and stick to the sea.

Good news from Hoang Sa and Truong Sa

Quynh Nghia is a coastal locality of Quynh Luu district with seafood exploitation as its key economic activity. In the early days of September, 44 large-capacity fishing boats of Quynh Nghia fishermen hurriedly docked at the port. Each boat had its hold full of silver fish.

Mr. Bui Van Tam - one of the owners of boat 67 of Quynh Nghia commune said that Quynh Nghia fishermen mainly go offshore to exploit fishing grounds further away such as Hoang Sa, Truong Sa, Bach Long Vi, Bac Bo Gulf... Therefore, the output is often higher. Since the beginning of the year, fishermen have mainly caught big fish, squid, silver pomfret... The seafood caught is purchased by traders right at the wharf, then classified and transferred to cold storages and markets. People with capital continue to prepare fishing gear, gasoline, ice to go offshore for a new trip.

Buying fish at Lach Quen fishing port (Quynh Luu). Photo: VH

Not only the vessels with capacity of over 700 CV but also the fleet of nearly 150 vessels with smaller capacity of Quynh Nghia fishermen also had a good fishing season with many types of seafood with high export value. According to estimates, in the first 7 months of 2017, the whole commune has exploited more than 7,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 60 billion VND, nearly double compared to the same period last year. In other coastal communes such as Son Hai, Quynh Long, Tien Thuy..., fishermen are also very excited because of an effective fishing season.

In Hoang Mai town, the output of aquatic products in August reached 4,376 tons, the accumulated output in 8 months reached nearly 30,000 tons, reaching 80.39% of the year's plan, up nearly 15% compared to last year. In particular, the output is mainly concentrated in Quynh Phuong ward and Quynh Lap commune.

In addition to traditional products such as anchovies, spotted sardines, herring, red snapper, alum sardines, silver pomfret, various types of squid, crabs, and mantis shrimps, this year, the mackerel trawling of fleet 67 in Quynh Phuong ward achieved high output, bringing in large revenues. Specialty products such as crabs, shrimps, mantis shrimps, groupers, squid, and snails... are kept alive by the ships after exploitation, supplied to export establishments abroad, and sold to restaurant and hotel systems at high prices.

In Quynh Lap commune, the fishing fleet that goes to exploit the seas far from Hoang Sa and Truong Sa also has many changes, with income increasing compared to last year. Particularly, Mr. Phan Van Hai's fishing boat in Quynh Lap commune has nets that bring in an income of 120 million VND.

At present, Hoang Mai fishermen are entering the anchovy exploitation, after 5-7 days of exploitation, the output is from 10-15 tons, with an average selling price at the wharf of 10,000 VND/kg. This is considered the main business season of Hoang Mai fishermen. From the anchovy exploitation output, the processing, steaming, drying and exporting of anchovies are always busy at processing facilities, creating jobs for thousands of female workers in coastal localities.

In Dien Chau, although not the province's key seafood fishing center, the output in the first 8 months of this year reached 32,700 tons - the highest ever. The average income of fishermen reached 6 million VND/month, the income of ship owners reached from 500 million VND to more than 1 billion VND. These days, nearly 1,500 fishing boats are taking advantage of increasing trips because the southern fish season is in full swing. With the current successful exploitation momentum, Dien Chau fishermen strive to achieve an output of 35,000 tons for the whole year and complete the construction of 50 new offshore vessels.

Helping fishermen go offshore

According to the Department of Exploitation and Protection of Aquatic Resources, the output of seafood exploitation in the first 8 months of 2017 is estimated at 88,208 tons of various types of seafood, an increase of more than 10% over the same period in 2016. The total value is estimated at 2,249,740 billion VND.

The iron-hulled fishing boat of fisherman Nguyen Van Phuong in Hong Phong block (Hoang Mai town) caught a lot of mackerel. Photo: VH

In general, in the first 8 months of 2017, purse seine, line, trawl, and dragnet fishing... have all been effective, especially purse seine fishing. The main fishing objects of this fleet are pelagic fish with high economic value such as: spotted fish, silver pomfret, needlefish... The purse seine fleet has high and stable output and revenue, the average output of each vessel is 15 - 20 tons/trip. The cost for each sea trip is from 65 - 90 million VND; On average, each worker gets 8 - 10 million VND/month.

A typical example is the fishing boat with license plate NA - 90802 - TS owned by Mr. Nguyen Van Minh residing in Quynh Long commune, Quynh Luu district. The boat has 17 workers, the average monthly revenue is 650 - 700 million VND; in June 2017 alone it reached 1 billion VND. The average income of each worker is 12 - 15 million VND/month; the total income of a worker in the first 8 months of 2017 is 110 - 115 million VND/person.

Mr. Nguyen Chi Luong - Head of the Fisheries Sub-Department said: This year, the plan is to achieve an output of 120,000 tons. Currently, we encourage people to go offshore with many support policies: long-range communication devices for offshore fishing vessels (26 sets) with a total amount of 728 million VND; 20 fish preservation tanks with PU shells (each model supports 35 million VND)...

Most of the ships and boats are fully equipped with technical equipment to serve communication, determine the location and volume of fish schools, and preserve products such as radar, satellite positioning, ICOM communication equipment, fish finders, cold storage tanks using PU materials, etc.

Prepare ice to go out to sea. Photo: TH

The modernization of exploitation, processing and aquaculture has contributed to increasing the total production value of the fisheries sector. In particular, after nearly 3 years of implementing Decree 67 NĐ/CP of the Government on supporting the construction of large-capacity ships, it has contributed to increasing income, creating confidence and motivation for fishermen to go offshore.

Mr. Dang Ngoc Binh - Vice Chairman of Quynh Luu District People's Committee said: "Up to now, Quynh Luu district has 35 ships in operation and has been operating effectively, on average each trip, ship 67 catches from 20 - 30 tons of seafood worth hundreds of millions of VND. In the first 7 months of this year alone, fishermen in Quynh Luu district have caught nearly 43,400 tons, equal to 61% of the yearly plan, an increase of nearly 20% over the same period. In order to encourage fishermen to develop the economy, the district has also had many support policies, helping fishermen feel secure to stick to the sea to develop the economy."

By August 31, 2017, Nghe An had 75 vessels under Decree 67 of the Government launched and completed procedures to participate in fishing activities (of which trawling: 14 vessels; purse seine: 31 vessels; seine: 24 vessels; logistics: 06 vessels). Most of the vessels participating in fishing are highly effective.

“With a strong offshore fishing fleet and many practical support policies as present, the 120,000-ton output this year will certainly be exceeded,” said the leader of the Fisheries Department.

PV Group