Facing the open sea

(Baonghean)Recently, despite the complex security situation at sea, fishermen in Nghe An province have demonstrated their determination to continue fishing for their livelihood, thereby contributing to affirming the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland's sea and islands.

Fishermen in Tien Thuy commune (Quynh Luu district) prepare to set sail to protect the sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands.

Throughout history, the sea has always been an integral part of our beloved Vietnam. During the war, many fishermen from Nghe An province remained steadfast, skillfully using their nets and weapons to provide food for the soldiers and militia fighting against the American invaders. In peacetime, they continued their fishing profession, uniting to build new, larger boats and forming cooperatives to venture further out to sea. In production, the sea has made a significant contribution to improving the lives of the people. In return, these children of the sea are the "living markers of sovereignty," guarding that sacred and inviolable sovereignty day and night. Faced with China's blatant and illegal placement of the HD 981 oil rig on Vietnam's continental shelf and exclusive economic zone, the fishermen expressed their outrage but remained steadfast, diligently working and producing, affirming the sacred sovereignty of the nation's sea and islands.

In localities with a large number of fishing boats operating offshore, such as Quynh Lap, Quynh Phuong (Hoang Mai town), Quynh Long, Quynh Nghia, Son Hai (Quynh Luu), Dien Bich, Dien Ngoc (Dien Chau), the fishermen's activities remain normal, and they are united and determined to stay at sea. Fisherman To Duy Linh, from Minh Son hamlet (Tien Thuy), said that he, like most fishermen in Quynh Luu, is very upset about China's illegal placement of the Haiyang-981 oil rig along with many escort ships with modern weapons and escort aircraft in the waters under Vietnam's sovereignty for many days. This is not only an arrogant act violating Vietnam's national sovereignty and international law, but also involves driving away and using large ships to ram into Vietnamese fishing boats that are engaged in fishing in the traditional Hoang Sa fishing grounds that have been used by Vietnamese fishermen for generations. Linh affirmed: "It's our fishing ground, so we'll fish there; there's nothing to be afraid of." Furthermore, nowadays, when our fishermen go out to sea to fish, they always go in groups to show solidarity and support each other. Especially since its launch, the Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance Force has always been present in fishing grounds, coordinating with other Vietnamese forces to assist and protect fishermen, so our people feel secure in continuing their work at sea.

At midday, under the scorching sun at Lach Quen fishing port, Mr. Truong Van Tinh (Minh Son hamlet, Tien Thuy commune), owner of the NA 94888TS fishing vessel with a 570 HP engine, along with many other fishermen, were busily preparing the necessary tools and supplies to load onto the boat for a new fishing trip. Mr. Tinh said that upon hearing the news that China had illegally placed the Haiyang-981 oil rig in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, he and hundreds of other fishermen in the commune were outraged. And the practical action to affirm Vietnam's sovereignty over its maritime territory is to continue fishing at sea.

Although they had just returned from sea, many of his boats quickly prepared fuel and food to head out to sea to fish, contributing to the protection of national sovereignty. Mr. Tinh confided: "These past few days, hearing about the tense situation out there from the shore, we fishermen have felt our blood boiling. Although our boats traditionally fish in the Gulf of Tonkin, far from the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands where China is illegally placing its oil rig, for fishermen, the sea is always home. I've been at sea for over five years, but these recent trips have always given me a very special feeling. I go to sea with the mindset of serving my people and the sacred sovereignty of my country. When the country needs us, we will contribute alongside other forces to resolutely protect national sovereignty," Mr. Tinh shared.

The fleets are preparing to set sail.

Not only is he outraged by China's blatant actions of illegally placing an oil rig and imposing a fishing ban, Phan Van Hai, from Hop Tien hamlet, Quynh Lap commune (Hoang Mai town), is also eager to set sail with fishermen from many other provinces and cities to the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands. Born into a fishing village, after finishing high school, Hai did not register for university but instead decided to pursue a career in fishing. For him, the sea has been a close friend since childhood, a burning desire to conquer, especially during his father's trips to help him out. Now, with his 640 HP boat, Hai is the first person in the province to register to fish in the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa (Spratly) fishing grounds. These are two new fishing grounds that he has only heard about from friends in other provinces, but for him, they represent a burning aspiration and dream. Hai said: "These are vast fishing grounds, abundant with shrimp and fish, and especially many species of high-value fish." But most importantly, fishing in these waters means contributing to the protection of the sacred sovereignty of our nation's seas and islands. "No matter how aggressive and arrogant China is, we are not afraid because it is our sea, our fish, and we have the right to exploit them. We fishermen see the sea as our mother and father, and who can live far from their parents?" Hai shared.

Furthermore, stemming from the effectiveness of offshore fishing, many fishermen in the province have boldly invested in upgrading and building new, larger vessels, equipping them with modern machinery for fishing such as long-range Icom radios, walkie-talkies, and sonar. At this time, one of the driving forces contributing to the strong fishing fleets in localities, enabling them to confidently go out to sea for both high-efficiency and safe fishing, is the essential requirement for fishermen's groups to always work together. Currently, the province has established 224 fishing cooperatives. These cooperatives at sea are closely connected and responsible for supporting each other in production or in case of incidents.

Furthermore, the establishment of marine militia squads and platoons in the districts of Quynh Luu, Dien Chau, Nghi Loc, and Cua Lo town contributes to motivating local fishermen to steadfastly stay at sea and exploit marine resources, while strengthening the protection of the country's maritime sovereignty and islands in the current new situation. Mr. Nguyen Van Ke, Chairman of the Fishery Association of Tien Thuy commune (Quynh Luu), said that in recent days, fishermen in the commune have continued to go to sea as usual because it is the southern fishing season, which is considered a prosperous season for fishermen. In particular, dozens of offshore fishing vessels have remained persistent and united in their efforts to stay at sea throughout the past few weeks. Moreover, partly due to their indignation at China's arrogant actions, the fishermen in the commune are even more determined to stay at sea.

The open sea has never been peaceful. But the unwavering spirit and resolute will of the fishermen, and the vibrant red national flag on their ships, speak volumes about their courage and faith. "If the homeland today is viewed from the sea, there is a part of our flesh and blood in Hoang Sa... The spirit of the nation, for a thousand years, refuses to be subdued, and the ships' silhouettes continue to sail out to sea..."

Pham Bang