Fishermen preparing to set sail. Photo: THUY TRANG
Passing through Binh An commune these days, looking down from Cai Be bridge towards the river mouth leading to Tac Cau fishing port, one can easily spot hundreds of fishing boats anchored along both banks after a long period at sea. Inside the port, the atmosphere is bustling with activity. As soon as the boats dock, workers quickly board the decks to unload the seafood. Batches of fish and shrimp are continuously transferred from the ship's hold to the shore, creating a frantic pace in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year).
Having just returned from over three months at sea, Mr. Phan Van Liet, captain of fishing vessel KG 94456 TS from Minh Hoa hamlet, Chau Thanh commune, shared: “Everyone hopes for a bountiful catch on the last fishing trip of the year to have a prosperous Tet holiday. But this year, there are fewer fish and shrimp, and the yield has decreased significantly compared to previous years. The fishermen work hard, but their income is not as high as expected. Many families have to tighten their spending and temporarily postpone their Tet preparations.”
It's not just Mr. Liet's boat; many other boat owners share the same concerns. According to fishermen, marine resources are increasingly depleted, with fewer fish and shrimp, resulting in lower yields per fishing trip. Meanwhile, fuel, supplies, and fishing gear prices remain high, significantly increasing the cost of each trip. Some trips only yield enough to cover a portion of the costs, or even result in no profit.
Despite facing many difficulties, fishermen remain determined to stay at sea and pursue their profession. For them, the sea is not only a means of livelihood but also a tradition passed down through generations. Each trip out of port carries with it faith and hope for a full catch and a more stable life for their families.
In recent days, taking advantage of favorable weather, many boat owners have been actively preparing fishing gear, fuel, ice, and provisions for fishing trips throughout the Tet holiday. Mr. Truong Han Ri, residing in Bai Ngu hamlet, Tho Chau commune, said: “My boat just docked after a week at sea, bringing back over 40 tons of various types of fish. After selling all the seafood, I will continue to refuel and stock up on 2,000 blocks of ice to take the boat out to sea and maintain my purchasing activities throughout Tet.”
Mr. Ri, like many other fishermen, expressed his hope that Vietnam would soon have the European Commission's "yellow card" lifted on its fisheries sector, that the marine environment would be better protected, and that fisheries resources would gradually recover, leading to sustainable development of the fishing industry. The fishermen hoped that the government would continue to provide practical support policies, creating conditions for them to overcome difficult times and confidently venture out to sea. Captain Le Trung Kien, residing in Vinh Thong ward, shared: "Fishermen hope for a smooth and safe last fishing trip of the year, with holds full of shrimp and fish, so they can have a warm Tet holiday and continue to be involved in the profession for the long term."
According to Tran Ngo Minh Toan, Director of the Provincial Fisheries Port Management Board, in order to facilitate fishermen in completing departure procedures in accordance with regulations, during the Tet holiday, the unit assigned officers and staff to be on duty to receive and process documents. At the same time, they regularly monitored and reminded ship owners and captains to strictly comply with regulations against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, such as turning on vessel tracking devices, fishing in designated waters, and keeping complete fishing logs.
To ensure the safety of fishing vessels during the Tet holiday, the Port Management Board, in coordination with the border guard control station, is closely monitoring the number of vessels and fishermen operating at sea; strengthening inspections, arranging and allocating suitable mooring areas, preventing and controlling fires and explosions, and ensuring security and order in the port area.
The year-end fishing trips carry the faith and hope of the people of the coastal region. Amidst the stormy seas, the fishermen of An Giang province persevere in their fishing endeavors, yearning for boats laden with fish and shrimp, so that their lives may be less arduous and their traditional fishing industry may continue to be preserved and developed sustainably.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/chuyen-bien-cuoi-nam-a476830.html
