Quynh Luu fishermen hit the jackpot with whales for export

After only 5-7 days at sea, many fishing boats of fishermen in Quynh Long and Son Hai communes (Quynh Luu) docked with a yield of 30-50 tons of whale fish. Photo: Hong Dien

The whale fishing season of Quynh Luu district fishermen starts from May to September of the lunar calendar. Currently, it is only the beginning of the season but at this time the whale source is relatively abundant, combined with favorable weather, calm seas, so the fishing and exploitation output is high.

Mr. Tran Van Nhat - owner of fishing boat NA 9995 TS with a capacity of 800 CV in hamlet 6, Son Hai commune said: In 6 days, he and 20 workers went offshore to exploit the fishing grounds in the Gulf of Tonkin and continuously pulled in large catches of fish, the boat quickly filled the hold with more than 50 tons of various types of fish. Of which, about 40 tons were whale fish, the rest were spotted fish. For whale fish, traders purchased at the port at a price of 35,000 VND/kg, with revenue reaching more than 1 billion VND.

Whales are classified and sold to traders right at the port; currently priced at 35,000 VND/kg. Photo: Hong Dien

Fisherman Bui Van Trung in Quynh Long commune happily shared: Although this fishing trip only lasted 7 days, his boat caught 35 tons of whale fish, mackerel...

Purse nets are one of the main and effective fishing tools of Quynh Long fishermen. After exploring the fish source, Mr. Trung moves the boat closer and quickly judges the speed, direction of the fish school, and the wind and waves. Then, he quickly drops the net and closes the net to cover the discovered school of fish. This time, the weather was favorable, catching many fish, so each crew member earned about 20 million VND/trip.

Whale meat is white, delicious, has high nutritional value and is very popular in the market. Photo: Hong Dien

Ms. Pham Thi Nhung - a trader in Tien Thuy commune said that she and other traders bought fish right at the port, at a price of 35,000 - 40,000 VND/kg. After that, the fish were immediately transported to refrigerated trucks for consumption in many provinces and cities and exported to China. This trip had a shorter fishing time for the ships, so costs were reduced and profits were higher.

Whales are transported by traders onto refrigerated trucks for consumption in many provinces and cities and for export to China. Photo: Hong Dien

According to information from coastal localities in Quynh Luu district, on the evening of July 10 and morning of July 11, dozens of fishing boats will dock and are expected to achieve a relatively high catch output./.