Gasoline prices increase, fishermen do not dare to go to sea for fear of loss

After many adjustments, gasoline prices are now at their highest level in the past 8 years. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Quynh Luu is the district with the largest number of boats in the province with nearly 1,200, of which about 700 are for offshore fishing. Since Tet,offshore fleetFishermen in the communes of Quynh Nghia, Quynh Long, Tien Thuy, Son Hai... still cannot set sail at the beginning of the year due to unfavorable weather, partly due to high gasoline prices.

Fisherman Ho Van Dai in Tien Thuy commune (Quynh Luu) said that like every year, around the 4th day of Tet, many fishing boats set sail to start the year with a rich source of seafood. However, at this time, it is already the 17th day of the first lunar month, but all fishing boats are still on shore, partly due to the weather, and partly due to the continuous increase in gasoline prices, so fishermen are worried that "the income is not enough to cover expenses".

After Tet, many fishing boats of Quynh Luu fishermen have not been able to go to sea, partly due to unfavorable weather and partly due to the high price of gasoline. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Ho Van Dai said: “My ship has a capacity of 400 CV, each 7-9 day trip requires pumping about 60 million VND in fuel, along with thousands of ice cubes; with the current oil price of nearly 20,000 VND/liter, each ship will have to increase its operating costs by 15-17 million VND on the next trip.”

In recent times,seafood exploitation in Quynh LuuThere have been positive changes, with fishing output increasing compared to before. However, due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, seafood exports to other countries have been limited, affecting fishermen's income. Meanwhile, the continuous increase in gasoline prices has caused fishing costs to increase.

The high price of gasoline has also affected fishing logistics services, increased the cost of sea trips, and reduced fishermen's income. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Vu Ngoc Chat - Chairman of Quynh Long Commune Fisheries Association said: The whole commune has 130 offshore fishing vessels, of which 50 are effective purse seine vessels. Each year, the total fishing output of the whole commune reaches 30,000 tons, accounting for 43% of the total fishing output of the whole district. After Tet until now, all the ships have not been able to go to sea due to the influence of the cold air; many ships lack labor to go to sea; especially the increase in gasoline prices has affected the fishing process of fishermen.

"To help fishermen feel secure in fishing at sea, local authorities have focused on encouraging fishermen to refurbish their boats and prepare for offshore trips when the weather is favorable.

In addition, encourage vehicle owners to register for offshore exploitation according to Decision 48 of the Prime Minister. Ships with engine capacity of 700 CV or more will be supported with 100 million VND for fuel; ships with capacity of 400 CV to under 700 CV will be supported with 75 million VND.

In addition, the Fisheries Association also works directly with vessel owners to arrange and assign labor resources on surplus vessels to vessels lacking labor to ensure sufficient manpower and good conditions for seafood exploitation.

-Mr. Vu Ngoc Chat - Chairman of Quynh Long Commune Fisheries Association (Quynh Luu) -

The entire Nghi Thuy ward (Cua Lo town) has 110 seafood exploitation vessels. However, since after Tet until now, most of the boats are still "staying ashore" due to the complicated developments of the Covid 19 epidemic, many crew members are F0, F1, and partly due to the high price of gasoline, the cost of each trip to sea has increased to millions, making it difficult to balance revenue and expenditure.

Due to the outbreak of the disease, seafood prices have decreased, consumption is more difficult than before while gasoline prices have continuously increased, making it difficult for fishermen. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Nguyen Tien Loi, Chairman of Nghi Thuy Ward Farmers' Association said: "Gasoline prices increasecontinuously, so people's going to sea has encountered many difficulties. While the epidemic is complicated, seafood prices have decreased compared to before, the consumption market is also more limited, so fishermen's income has decreased sharply, now that gasoline is high, it is even more difficult.

Specializing in fishing near shore with a basket boat, before Tet, Mr. Hoang Dao (Nghi Thuy ward, Cua Lo town) went out to sea almost every day to catch fish, crabs, or squid to sell to traders, earning 400,000-500,000 VND. But since Tet, partly because of unfavorable weather and partly because of rising oil prices, he has only gone out to sea to catch seafood every few days.

Many fishermen who fish near shore no longer go out to sea regularly for fear of losing money. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Hoang Hoa Dao said: “Each trip costs about 5 liters of diesel, which is nearly 100,000 VND, not to mention other expenses, which can be up to 200,000 VND. Therefore, we no longer dare to sail every day, but only go out once every few days, mainly to serve family meals.”

The sharp increase in gasoline prices combined with the impact of the epidemic has had a significant impact on people's lives and production and business activities. As a result, a series of other services and goods are also increasing in price, causing many people to fear that inflation will occur.

On the afternoon of February 11, the Ministry of Industry and Trade - Ministry of Finance adjusted gasoline prices upward. This is the third consecutive upward adjustment since the beginning of the year due to the impact of world oil prices. Accordingly, the price of E5 RON92 gasoline increased by VND980/liter, from VND23,590/liter to VND24,570/liter; the price of RON95 gasoline increased by VND960/liter, from VND24,360/liter to VND25,320/liter. Prices of oil products also increased. Kerosene is VND18,750/liter, up VND960/liter; diesel is VND19,860/liter, up VND960; mazut is VND17,650/kg, up VND660.

Thanh Phuc