The positive decrease in gasoline prices creates motivation for Nghe An fishermen to stay at sea.

Dien Bich commune is the locality with the largest number of offshore fishing boats in the district.Dien Chau. However, in recent times, the continuous peaking of gasoline prices has made many fishermen not "interested" in going to sea, and their boats have had to stay at the port for fear of losses. However, since July 11, when gasoline prices have turned sharply downward, smiles have appeared for fishermen in this coastal commune, and the boats are ready to go out to sea again.

Many boats in the province have returned to sea as gasoline prices have dropped sharply. Photo: Quang An

Fisherman Nguyen Van Do, Dien Bich commune, Dien Chau district, could not hide his joy at returning to his daily work. Mr. Do said: "My boat temporarily stopped going to sea from the end of June to the beginning of July because none of the trips were profitable. The four crew members had almost no income because the money from selling seafood was only enough to cover fuel and food during the trip. When we heard that the price of fuel had dropped by 3,000 VND/liter, we encouraged each other to clean the boat and stick to the sea. Although the latest trip did not yield more fish than before, it still saved about 5 million VND in fuel costs, so we were very happy."

It is known that the entire Dien Bich commune has about 200 boats, of which 60% have a capacity of over 90 CV for offshore fishing, the rest go back and forth during the day. There were times in May and June when more than half of the boats were docked because of record high fuel prices. Mr. Nguyen Van Lien - Vice Chairman of Dien Bich Commune People's Committee said: "Since the time of gasoline price reduction on July 11, boats in the area have basically returned to the sea, clinging to the sea, the number of boats docked is very small. This is a good sign after a long period of stagnation in seafood fishing, some fishermen were forced to change to other jobs".

Fishermen in Dien Chau district actively prepare for the sea trip. Photo: Quang An

According to records, the cheerful, excited, bustling atmosphere at fishing ports has gradually returned in recent days. The decrease in gasoline prices has greatly relieved the fishermen's psychology. Although each trip to sea does not predict how much seafood will be produced, the amount of money spent on raw materials has decreased significantly.

According to the fishermen's calculations, for boats under 90 CV, fishing close to shore, going back and forth in a day consumes about 800 liters of oil, with a price reduction of 3,000 VND/liter, they will save 2 - 3 million VND per trip. For large boats, going for long days, each trip consumes thousands of liters of oil, saving tens of millions of oil is very exciting. This amount of money is divided by boat owners among the crew to compensate for the recent difficult days or cover other expenses.

In addition to the sharp drop in gasoline prices, fishermen are currently enjoying a "double joy" when their seafood is purchased by traders at high prices. Mr. Le The Hieu - Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dien Chau district said: "This is the peak of the tourist season, the demand for seafood is the highest in the year, so when returning from the sea, traders, restaurants and hotels order and collect goods continuously to supply the market. Fishermen have more confidence to stick to the sea, despite the intense heat, boats in the area still go out to sea more regularly than before..."

Not only in Dien Chau but also in other localities such as Quynh Luu, Hoang Mai Town, Cua Lo Town, Nghi Loc... fishermen have also returned to the sea. A representative of the Economic Department of Cua Lo Town said: The whole town currently has nearly 400 boats of all kinds, all of which have gone offshore to catch seafood since the time when gasoline prices dropped. Some boats have returned from 2-3 trips at sea, while small boats and basket boats go regularly during the day to provide fresh seafood for the tourist season. The number of boats staying ashore like before is very small.

Currently, Nghe An has more than 3,400 ships, of which more than 1,000 are large-capacity, fishing offshore. With a workforce of nearly 20,000 marine workers, this is considered one of the key economic sectors in the province. The fact that fishermen are returning to sea is a positive sign, both creating stable income and ensuring seafood supply in the market.

Lach Van Port is crowded with traders every time the boats return to dock. Photo: Quang An

Quang An