Diligently mending fishing nets.

The people of Gành Hào coastal area don't remember exactly when the net-mending trade originated, only that it has existed for a very long time, closely associated with the seafaring profession of countless generations of their ancestors. Amidst declining catches and rising input costs, those who mend nets remain persistent and diligent, meticulously weaving each mesh, securely tying each buoy and lead weight... so that fishermen can confidently venture out to sea, hoping for bountiful catches of fish and shrimp.

• net mending
• The craft of weaving and mending fishing nets.
• Stabilizing income through the women's net-mending group model.
• The fishing net mending cooperative provides a stable income for women in coastal areas.

Quietly pursuing the profession.

After each fishing trip, when the boats dock, in addition to refurbishing the fishing equipment and repairing fishing gear, boat owners also need net menders to prepare for the next trip. Therefore, net mending has become a livelihood for many people in coastal areas.

To practice their trade, they form groups of 3-5 people. Whenever a boat returns, they quickly arrive at the boat owner's call to get to work. The work of net menders usually starts from 7 am to 4 pm, with only a 30-minute lunch break. Depending on the condition of the net, the worker will perform tasks such as: repairing the net edges, patching the net, attaching buoys, etc. Wages are calculated daily, with each person earning an average of about 250,000 VND per day.

Once skilled fishermen, but no longer able to work long hours on the boat, Nguyen Van Tuan (from Ganh Hao commune) and a few others formed a group to repair and mend fishing nets for other boats to make a living. Tuan explained: “Previously, we were all fishermen. We learned net mending from fellow fishermen so we could quickly repair torn nets at sea. This quick skill, learned in our spare time, has now become a source of income since we no longer have the strength to work long hours on the boat. Having been fishermen ourselves, we all understand the hardships at sea, so we always strive to make strong, technically sound nets to help fishermen fish effectively.”

Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan diligently mends fishing nets for hire for fishing boats.

Some people take up net mending as a means of livelihood, while others do it to save on expenses for their fishing trips. Mr. Nguyen Hoan Em (Hamlet 2, Ganh Hao Commune) shared: “The net mending profession depends heavily on the ups and downs of the fishing industry, so everyone hopes for calm seas so that fishermen can have a stable life. Although they don't directly go out to sea, those who mend nets on shore still diligently contribute to making torn nets whole again, helping boats return to port with full holds of fish and shrimp.”

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Characteristics of a coastal region

Many net menders say that while the trade is easy to learn, to become a skilled worker, trusted and regularly called upon by boat owners, one must have keen eyesight, meticulousness, and dexterity in each stitch. There are no formal training schools for this profession; it's mainly a matter of those who know teaching those who don't, and practice makes perfect.

"It may look simple, but mending fishing nets is not easy at all. You have to know how to spot the tears to calculate which mesh to cut, and which direction to mend from so that the net is straight and fish get caught. Once you're skilled, the process becomes very quick, helping to repair torn nets, making them strong and durable, so that fishermen can go out to sea with peace of mind," said Mr. Nguyen Van Vu (Ganh Hao commune).

According to many people who mend and repair fishing nets, the most important step is the initial joining and assembling to ensure the net has the right amount of slack, stretch, and softness. This makes it difficult for fish to struggle and escape once caught. In addition, making floats and lead weights is also crucial, determining the buoyancy, sinking ability, and tension of the net when lowered into the sea. The net rings must be uniform and aligned in the same direction to prevent entanglement when pulled up.

A successful fishing trip depends on many factors such as: abundant marine resources, the skill and experience of the captain in judging fish schools... In addition, sturdy nets, properly manufactured, also contribute significantly to the effectiveness of the catch.

The bountiful catches of fish and shrimp are not only thanks to the efforts of the fishermen, but also to the silent contributions of those who mend the nets.

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For generations, the image of groups of fishermen meticulously mending fishing nets has become a distinctive feature of this coastal region. This work not only provides stable employment and income for hundreds of local laborers but also plays a crucial role in the fisheries logistics chain . Along with developing the fishing fleet and building port infrastructure, investing in and developing logistics industries is essential for the synchronized and modern development of the marine exploitation sector, thereby boosting the local economy and creating more jobs for people in coastal areas.

Nguyen Linh

Source: https://baocamau.vn/can-man-nghe-va-luoi-a127821.html