Follow the crab hunter

(Baonghean.vn) -Follow the children and women of Xuan Bang, Tu Vien, Ke Tram villages in Thanh Luong commune, Thanh Chuong district to catch crabs in the plains.

After about three hours of soaking in the water, some good "hunters" can catch 9-10kg of golden crabs. At the current price, crab hunters can earn between 500,000 VND and 1 million VND, because the price of crabs ranges from 80,000-100,000 VND/kg. This is a good source of income for people, but there are also hidden worries.

Catching field crabs in Phu Lao lagoon, hamlet 13, Thanh Luong commune. Photo: Dien Nguyen

Periodically, when the summer-autumn rice harvest is over, it is also the time when the rains and floods come, causing many difficulties for the people of the Central region. However, for the children in the low-lying areas of Thanh Chuong such as Thanh Luong, Thanh Khai, Thanh Yen, Thanh Ha, Vo Liet,... when the rain comes, there are many joys, including catching mud crabs.

A sledge is a multi-purpose fishing tool usually made of bamboo or rattan. Nowadays, sledges are often made of seasonal steel nets. A sledge can catch fish, shrimp, crabs, snails... thanks to the pushing power of the person. People who push fast and strong often get more shrimp and fish; people who push slowly mainly get crabs and snails.

In recent years, traders from urban areas have bought field crabs at very high prices. Therefore, during the rainy season, crabs have become the main source of income for many families with many children in lowland areas. Most students in lowland areas like to take a day off from school during the rainy season to go fishing and catch field crabs.

Each group usually has 2 to 3 children taking turns. Photo: Dien Nguyen

Nguyen Trong Son, a 13-year-old boy from Tu Vien village, said: "Going to the village of Cua is a lot of fun. Each Cua usually has 2 to 3 people taking turns, so we don't feel tired, we just feel hungry. We divide the money from selling crabs to save for books or give to our parents."

As soon as the crabs are scooped up, someone comes to buy them. Usually, the kids don't sell them on the spot. Selling them on the spot often results in a forced price, so the catchers usually take them home to buy them at Rao Gang market, Con market, etc. the next morning for traders to take them to Vinh.

Catching crabs during the rainy season is an activity that has been going on for a long time in low-lying areas. It helps people improve their meals and increase their income. However, the catching process also has many potential risks such as the risk of drowning, electric shock, etc. Because the catchers are usually children and women. Deep water fishing areas have a high risk of drowning.

Children soak in silver water for a long time. Photo: Dien Nguyen

After about three hours of soaking in the rice field water, some good "hunters" can catch 9-10kg of golden crabs. At the current price, "crab hunters" can earn between 500,000 VND and 1 million VND, because the price of crabs fluctuates between 80,000-100,000 VND/kg.

In addition, there are some low-lying rice fields where power lines are close to the water surface. The risk of electrocution and death is very high. Therefore, in low-lying areas, local authorities need to raise awareness to ensure people's safety.

Nguyen Dien

(Thanh Chuong District Party Committee)