A breakthrough in the fisheries sector.

(Baonghean) - Implementing the Resolution of the 17th Provincial Party Congress for the 2010-2015 term, Nghe An's fisheries sector has overcome difficulties from the economic downturn and the volatile situation in the sea and islands to achieve the goals set out in the Resolution regarding fishing and aquaculture...

Strongly develop large-capacity fishing vessels.

According to compiled data from the Provincial Fisheries Exploitation and Protection Sub-Department, the total number of registered fishing vessels in the province is 3,968, a decrease of 353 compared to the beginning of the 17th Provincial Party Congress term, in line with the province's fishing vessel development orientation. While the number of small vessels has decreased, the total power of fishing vessels in the province has increased rapidly, currently reaching 443,764 horsepower (compared to 239,236 horsepower at the beginning of the term, an 85% increase). Furthermore, if the average power was 56 horsepower/vessel at the beginning of the term, it has now reached 111.84 horsepower/vessel. For vessels over 90 horsepower, the total power is 384,361 horsepower, with an average power of 306.02 horsepower/vessel (compared to 204.63 horsepower at the beginning of the term).

The total number of workers in the province's fisheries sector is currently 17,489, an increase of 5,057 compared to the beginning of the term. Larger vessels have resulted in higher-value catches, increasing fishermen's income and protecting marine resources. Total seafood production in 2014 reached 109,758 tons, an 82% increase compared to the beginning of the term, with an estimated value of 1,850 billion VND. Besides focusing on developing the fishing industry, local authorities are also paying attention to developing supporting services. For example, in Quynh Luu district, seafood processing villages have been established, such as fish sauce processing in An Hoa commune, dried squid processing in Quynh Long commune, and the production and processing of seine nets in Quynh Long commune, creating part-time jobs for thousands of local workers.

Fisherman Ho Trung Can from Than Ai hamlet, Quynh Phuong ward (Hoang Mai town) prepares his fishing gear to head out to sea.

Dien Ngoc is one of the leading localities in Dien Chau district in terms of fishing, with a rapidly increasing number of large-capacity vessels. Mr. Nguyen Van Dung - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Ngoc commune, said: At the beginning of the term (2010), the total number of boats in the commune was 366 (including 6 boats with 90 HP or more) with a total main engine capacity of 16,500 HP. To date, the entire commune has 405 boats, including 67 boats of 90 HP or more participating in offshore fishing. In 2014, the seafood catch of Dien Ngoc reached 13,200 tons, an increase of 1,700 tons compared to the beginning of the term. The commune identifies the marine economy as the spearhead in local economic development. In the coming time, leveraging its internal resources, Dien Ngoc will shift from trawling to purse seine fishing, linked with protecting maritime sovereignty and islands according to Government Decree 67/CP; The district is building a fleet of offshore fishing vessels to rapidly increase export turnover and various types of fisheries services. In addition, Dien Ngoc is focusing on attracting investment in basic infrastructure, upgrading and dredging estuaries, building embankments to prevent erosion, and reinforcing mooring areas for ships to shelter from storms...

Quynh Luu District has seen strong development in the fishing industry in recent years. With a 19.5 km long coastline, two estuaries (Lach Quen and Lach Thoi), and nine coastal communes including Tien Thuy, Quynh Nghia, Son Hai, Quynh Thuan, Quynh Long, Quynh Tho, Quynh Bang, Quynh Minh, and Quynh Luong, the district has developed a very strong fishing fleet. Currently, the district's fishing fleet has undergone significant changes in both the number and engine capacity, with a restructuring towards a gradual decrease in small-capacity vessels and an increase in large-capacity vessels for more efficient fishing. Mr. Bui Xuan Truc, an official from the Agriculture Department of Quynh Luu District, stated: "Every year, the number of newly built offshore fishing vessels increases." In 2014, 95 new vessels were built, bringing the total number of vessels in the district to 1,272 by the end of 2014. Of these, 662 vessels had a capacity of over 90 horsepower, accounting for 54.71% of the district's total motorized vessels, an increase of 115 vessels compared to 2013. The total engine capacity was 250,020 horsepower, with an average capacity of 208 horsepower per vessel, an increase of 32 horsepower per vessel compared to 2013. The investment in larger vessels with powerful engines has also improved fishing efficiency. In 2014, the output of exploited aquatic products in Quynh Luu reached 43,500 tons, with a total production value of 971.463 billion VND. Currently, the district is assisting fishermen in expediting loan procedures for building new fishing vessels under Decree 67/2014/ND-CP for 30 fishing vessel owners.

The installation of marine equipment in offshore fishing is a new development in the fishing industry. With the modern features of marine equipment, captains can accurately determine the fish stocks in an area and fishing coordinates to decide when to cast their nets. This reduces the number of net hauls per trip, minimizing impacts on marine resources, while increasing efficiency and yield. In addition, the installation of other modern equipment for fishing, such as the installation of gillnet management systems and the construction of cold storage compartments on fishing vessels using PU (Polyurethane) materials, improves the quality of the catch and reduces accidents and risks at sea.

In Quynh Luu district alone, in 2014, 17 ICOM HF 1700 radios and 598 lifebuoys were distributed. Currently, the district has a total of 47 horizontal sonar systems installed for offshore fishing, 1 radar system, 329 long-range communication devices, and 100% of offshore fishing vessels have vertical sonar and walkie-talkies for communication between vessels within the group/team. Cooperative groups at sea have been established and developed, with 100 cooperative groups currently operating in the district. These production teams at sea have helped each other share information about fishing grounds, weather, and production experience; supported each other in handling risks at sea; organized logistics services; marketed products; provided mutual assistance to members' families; and coordinated with relevant agencies to protect national sovereignty at sea.

Aquaculture is booming.

Over the past term, thanks to the attention and investment of the State, aquaculture in the province has developed remarkably in all aspects; the species being farmed have become increasingly diverse, and the area and productivity of aquaculture have continuously increased over the years; the growth rate of aquaculture production in recent years has been quite high (averaging 15% per year during the period 2010 - 2014).

Shrimp harvesting in Quynh Bang (Quynh Luu).

The fisheries sector has also implemented numerous solutions to increase aquaculture productivity per unit area, diversify farming methods and species structure, apply scientific and technological advancements to aquaculture, and minimize natural disasters and diseases. It has directed the establishment of community groups to encourage responsible participation from the people, working together to preserve the farming environment for long-term development. Models applied to aquaculture include VietGAP shrimp farming, overwintering shrimp farming in greenhouses, ecological farming, intercropping, mudless eel farming in cement tanks, and fish farming in lakes and dams. Whiteleg shrimp farming has been developed in 14 communes, and Ben Tre clam farming in 4 communes.

Sharing with us about the breakthroughs in the aquaculture sector during the past term, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hoc - Head of the Nghe An Fisheries Department - said that all targets set by the 17th Provincial Party Congress for aquaculture have been achieved. The aquaculture area increased significantly during the term, from 22,500 hectares in 2010 to 23,610 hectares in 2014; production increased from 37,559 tons to 44,443 tons. In particular, the shrimp farming area increased sharply from 1,700 hectares to 2,360 hectares; shrimp production increased from 3,500 tons (2010) to 6,000 tons (2014). Notably, during the term, the province successfully attracted the Vietnam-Australia Shrimp Seed Group (with a total value of 2 million USD, 100% foreign investment) to invest in Quynh Minh commune (Quynh Luu district). This factory, built on an area of ​​4 hectares, has an expected capacity of 3 million shrimp larvae per year and will have products available in April 2015. Previously, shrimp larvae were a constant source of worry for farmers, as almost 100% of them had to be imported from the South, resulting in a lack of control over the supply, high costs, and difficulties in quality management. Now, if the factory successfully begins production, it will help farmers feel secure about the supply of larvae (the total annual demand for shrimp larvae in the area is approximately 1.5 to 2 billion).

In recent years, the industry has introduced several new species for aquaculture, diversifying the range of species raised. Many species have become self-sufficient, such as crabs, shrimp, and sea bass. Currently, some of the most successful aquaculture models, especially in Quynh Luu district, have applied scientific advancements to the development of aquatic seed production. In 2014, the entire district produced 231 million shrimp larvae, including 130 million whiteleg shrimp and 101 million tiger shrimp; it also produced 3 million crab larvae and 15 million Ben Tre clam larvae, supplying farmers inside and outside the district; and produced and raised approximately 14 million freshwater fish larvae to meet the demand for traditional fish species in the district.

The eel farming movement in the province has developed quite well in recent years. To date, the entire province has more than 65 households engaged in eel farming, covering an area of ​​1,916 square meters. Many eel farmers in some districts such as Do Luong, Yen Thanh, and Hung Nguyen have boldly adopted a new eel farming model (mudless eel farming in tanks lined with tarpaulin). A typical example is the family of Mr. Ho Van Trung, Hamlet 9, Ly Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district), who has 16 tanks, including 8 tanks for raising eel fry and 8 tanks for raising commercial eels. The yield reaches 2.5 - 3 quintals per tank; the annual revenue is 300 - 400 million VND, and after deducting expenses, Mr. Trung's family earns a profit of about 200 - 250 million VND. For example, Mr. Tran Ngoc Duyen, from Hamlet 16, Hung Thang Commune (Hung Nguyen District), has 5 tanks, including 1 water treatment tank and 4 breeding tanks. After 5 months of raising eels, his family harvests an average of 2.5 quintals of eels per tank, generating revenue of 180 million VND. After deducting expenses, he makes a profit of over 90 million VND...

In recent years, leveraging the advantages and potential of water surface area in reservoirs and hydroelectric lakes, along with the attention of relevant departments and agencies, the movement of cage fish farming on rivers, streams, lakes, and dams has developed strongly, mainly concentrated in mountainous and midland districts such as Tuong Duong, Que Phong, and Thanh Chuong… Particularly in the mountainous district of Tuong Duong, the number of cages has increased significantly, from 37 cages in 2013 to 114 cages now, and Que Phong from 125 cages to 150 cages… The total number of cages in the province to date has reached 433 cages, an increase of 111 cages compared to 2013, with an average cage volume of 15m3. People have been gradually adopting new cage farming technologies that are low-cost, easy to care for and manage, along with support from the Provincial People's Committee and local authorities for the construction of new cages; While in the past they raised livestock using bamboo or reeds, now they raise them using nets, which are easier to care for, manage diseases, and are more durable and economically advantageous.

Discussing the development direction of the fisheries sector for the remainder of the term, Mr. Tran Huu Tien - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development - emphasized: The sector will continue to focus on developing offshore fishing fleets while protecting maritime sovereignty, using the Gulf of Tonkin as a traditional fishing ground and the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands as a potential fishing ground; developing large-capacity vessels for high-value economic products, linked with the development of fishing logistics service vessels. Priority will be given to developing advantageous main fishing methods such as purse seine, trawling, gillnet, and longline fishing, linked with the construction of large vessels with powerful engines, and the development of steel vessels and vessels with new hull materials. Simultaneously, efforts will be made to retrain fishermen to reduce pressure on coastal fishing, combined with the establishment of co-management groups linked to the protection of aquatic resources. Emphasis will be placed on increasing aquaculture productivity per unit area, diversifying farming methods and species, applying scientific and technological advancements to aquaculture, and minimizing natural disasters and diseases.

Thu Huyen