Pioneer in exploring Hoang Sa fishing grounds

(Baonghean) - The Hoang Sa fishing ground has long been called the "golden sandbank" by fishermen in the Central region, the fishery of the East Sea. There was a time when our fishermen only needed to go fishing for a few days to fill their holds. Because of the large fish reserves, each year, fishermen in this area fish for 3-4 months, which is equal to the whole year of Nghe An fishermen. With more than 15 years of experience in fishing at sea, Mr. Phan Van Hai in Hop Tien block, Quynh Lap ward (Hoang Mai town) is honored to be the first Nghe An fisherman to be selected to go to the Hoang Sa fishing ground to exploit seafood and participate in protecting the security and sovereignty of the Fatherland's territorial waters.

With the spirit of being a role model, upholding the responsibility of a party member and being the Chairman of the Quynh Lap Fisheries Association, after being mobilized by the State and assigned the task of participating in exploring new fishing grounds and then calling on fishermen to go offshore for exploitation, on the other hand, being encouraged by the leaders of the Provincial Department of Exploitation and Protection of Aquatic Resources, creating favorable conditions to support part of the costs... Mr. Hai hasregistered and ready for the trip. However, the time to prepare for the trip was also the time when the situation in the East Sea "heated up", our fishing boats in the Hoang Sa area were often rammed by strange ships, so there was a bit of concern. However, as the owner of the boat, Mr. Hai encouraged the crew to boldly go find new fishing grounds and received everyone's support. That was February 2014.

Mr. Phan Van Hai and other crew members fix the net in preparation for a new voyage.

Mr. Hai said that from Nghe An sea to Hoang Sa fishing ground, it takes 4 days and 4 nights, costing about 150 million VND/trip. However, contrary to many people's concerns, fishing in Hoang Sa fishing ground is very favorable. Fishing boats of Nghe An fishermen, along with fishermen from neighboring provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Ngai..., fish in the outer circle, so they are very secure. Our fishermen also have the advantage of a large catch here, and are always protected by law enforcement forces. The fishing fleets in the inner circle are more tightly organized, both fishing and proactively responding when bad situations occur. Mr. Hai's fishing boat has made 3 trips in Hoang Sa sea (from February 17 to June 6, 2014), but the fishing efficiency has not been as expected due to inadequate equipment on board and some other limitations. Fishing in Hoang Sa is costly and when fishing is ineffective, even though the fuel cost is compensated, the boat owner still loses money because he has to pay the crew. Mr. Hai thought hard, but thinking about his responsibility as a party member made him more determined.

Currently, Mr. Hai's fishing boat is returning to participate in fishing in the Gulf of Tonkin. However, fishing in the Hoang Sa fishing ground is still a long-term orientation, because the fish reserves here are large and have high value such as tuna, mackerel... Mr. Hai is investing an additional 500 million VND to convert the equipment on the boat. It is planned that next year (from February), the boat will continue to fish in the Hoang Sa fishing ground until June, from July it will return to exploit in the Gulf of Tonkin with a different set of fishing gear...

Hopefully, after Mr. Hai discovered the Hoang Sa fishing grounds, it will be a premise for more and more fishermen in the province to continue investing in going offshore, sticking to new fishing grounds to catch seafood, bringing economic benefits; at the same time, contributing to affirming and protecting the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Article and photos:Ha Phuong