Nghe An fishermen rush to sea as oil prices drop

High catch, fishermen make profit

At fishing ports in the areaNghe AnIn the early days of August, fishing boats are always bustling in and out. Next to the ships anchored for fishermen to unload seafood to sell to traders, there are groups of fishermen urgently loading raw materials and fuel onto the ships to set out for a new trip. According to the fishermen, the fishing grounds are favorable at this time, so they should take advantage of the opportunity to go instead of anchoring their boats for a long time like before.

These days, fishing ports in Nghe An are always bustling. Photo: Quang An

Fisherman Ho Ket in Quynh Nghia commune (Quynh Luu) and his fellow fishermen were urgently transferring trays of fish from the hold of the NA 9424 TS ship on the afternoon of August 3. He said that his fishing boat had been on the sea for 4 days and nights, catching 11 tons of seafood, most of which were anchovies. Although the value of anchovies was only 13,000 VND/kg, it was not a loss like before, because the price of oil had dropped significantly compared to before, from more than 30,000 VND/liter to more than 24,000 VND/liter.

The plan is that we will only rest for one night, and tomorrow morning we will focus on loading ice, oil, and all the food and provisions onto the ship, and tomorrow afternoon we will complete the export procedures and catch a new trip. Hopefully the government will continue to adjust the oil price down further so that fishermen can make a profit and be more excited.

Fishermen of Ho Ket, Quynh Nghia commune (Quynh Luu).

Quynh Luu fishermen happily unload seafood after a trip at sea. Photo: Quang An

As the tide rises in the afternoon, the number of boats entering increases.Lach Quen fishing portmore. Therefore, at the port, a series of cars come and go to buy and load seafood. Because of the hot weather, after buying seafood, traders cover it with tarpaulins or load it onto cars immediately to avoid the fish losing quality. Next to that, there are ice crushers operating at full capacity. The crushed ice is carried by conveyor belt to the side of the boat and dumped into the ship's hold.

FishermanNguyen Ho Thuy in Tien Thuy commune happily said that his boat caught over 12 tons of seafood on the last trip, and after deducting expenses, each crew member had millions of dong to bring home. After resting for one night, the crew members were present at the fishing port to prepare everything for the next trip.

Traders buy seafood right at the fishing port. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Mr. Nguyen Duc Dong - manager of Lach Quen fishing port (Quynh Luu) said that because the fishing grounds are favorable at this time, oil prices have dropped sharply compared to before, so people are taking advantage of the opportunity to stay at sea and not anchor their boats for long periods like before. In general, this time, most boats caught quite a lot of seafood. However, because it is mainly anchovies, the value is not high, but the income is better than before, because the output is high, while the fuel price has decreased.

“Previously, when oil prices were high, every time a ship returned to the fishing port, the ship owner complained about oil losses and was not interested in staying at sea, making the fishing port less bustling. Since then,oil price"With the State's deep adjustment, fishermen are more confident in each sea trip," Mr. Nguyen Duc Dong shared.

At this time, seafood is mostly anchovies so the value is not high, however, the high catch makes fishermen feel more secure. Photo: Xuan Hoang

At other fishing ports in Hoang Mai town, Dien Chau district... are also busier than before, most of the ships make a profit after each trip.

Mr. Nguyen Ba Ky - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Quynh Lap Commune (Hoang Mai Town) shared: Since July, due to the sharp drop in oil prices, along with favorable fishing grounds, except for fishing boat owners with special conditions who anchor their boats at home, the rest stick to the sea to exploit seafood. Through information gathering, it shows that most boats catch quite a large output, with a revenue of at least 250 million VND/boat/trip, with some boats earning 600 million VND/trip. With oil prices falling compared to before and such a revenue, fishermen are profitable.

“The fishing grounds are favorable, so fishermen in the commune are taking advantage of the sea. Most of the fishing boats in Quynh Lap commune are large-capacity, fishing in the open sea, so the catch is large, in addition to anchovies, which account for the majority, there are also squid, silver pomfret, mackerel, etc., so the value is increased,” said Mr. Nguyen Ba Ky.

Loading seafood onto trucks at Quynh Lap fishing port (Hoang Mai town). Photo: Xuan Hoang

At Lach Van fishing port (Dien Chau), the number of fishing boats returning to port every day is higher than before. Due to the characteristics of Dien Chau fishing boats with small capacity and fishing close to shore, the output is not as large as fishing boats elsewhere, but the price of fuel has decreased, making fishermen feel more secure.

Storm prevention in the East Sea

After each trip, fishermen only rest for one day, then continue preparing ice and fuel... to go out to sea. Photo: Quang An

According to Mr. Tran Xuan Nhue - Head of the Department of Exploitation and Aquatic Resources (Department of Fisheries), after the State adjusted the oil price down sharply from July until now, along with more favorable fishing grounds, fishermen across the province are excited to stay at sea to catch seafood, and there is no longer a situation of boats anchoring for long periods like before.

Therefore, the seafood catch has increased in recent days. This is a positive signal, motivating fishermen to go out to sea. However, fishermen need to monitor the weather at sea to prevent risks this August./.