Story of fisherman Nguyen Ngoc Canh

QTO - With his love for the sea, responsibility for the sovereignty of his homeland's sea and islands, and his efforts and creativity in production, fisherman Nguyen Ngoc Canh (born in 1975), Tan My residential group, Bac Gianh ward, has achieved many successes in developing the marine economy. He was voted as a typical farmer of the country and received the title of Outstanding Vietnamese Farmer. Fisherman Nguyen Ngoc Canh is also one of 38 typical advanced individuals with outstanding achievements in the patriotic emulation movements of the province in the period of 2020-2025, honored at the 1st Patriotic Emulation Congress of Quang Tri province.

Determined to go offshore and stick to the sea to get rich

Born and raised in the sea, Nguyen Ngoc Canh has been immersed in the waves since his childhood. Growing up, he began to conquer the sea by going on fishing trips with his father. And his love, passion and attachment to the sea also grew through his trips out to sea.

Growing up in a poor area, working in the traditional village profession, Nguyen Ngoc Canh understands the hardships of coastal residents. Therefore, he always nurtured the determination to overcome difficulties to get rich from the sea. In 2003, after accumulating some capital after many years of going to sea with his fellow sailors, he discussed with his family to borrow more money from the bank to buy a fishing boat with a capacity of 420 horsepower, operating in the traditional fishing and shooting profession. With that boat, Nguyen Ngoc Canh and his fellow sailors had many trips to the sea to exploit seafood but the efficiency was not high due to lack of capital to invest in modern fishing equipment.

The joy of Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Canh and his family when receiving the Third Class Labor Medal - Photo: HN

“Thinking and pondering to open a new business, I thought that I had to break out, to escape from the traditional fishing method to change my life. Thinking, determined, then doing, in 2011, I built another fishing boat with a capacity of 430 horsepower. This boat is fully equipped with equipment and fishing gear, such as: long-range communication device, locator, fish finder...

The total investment capital for the ship is 1.9 billion VND. Since having 2 fishing boats, my seafood fishing activities have grown stronger and stronger, creating regular jobs for 22 workers with an increasing catch. By 2015, the State had a policy to support fishermen in building ships according to Decree 67 of the Government , my family built another wooden ship with a capacity of 829CV, with a total investment capital of 17 billion VND. With a large capacity ship, I have recruited more workers to participate in offshore fishing, the time of each sea trip is longer and the income is also much higher", said fisherman Nguyen Ngoc Canh.

With the determination to develop the economy and get rich from the sea, over the past 20 years, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Canh has built 3 new fishing boats with modern equipment, total capacity of 1,680CV, total investment capital of over 20 billion VND. The average annual catch is about 500 tons, earning from 13-14 billion VND. Creating jobs for 35 workers, with a stable income of about 15 million VND/month.

Always accompany and share experiences with fishermen

In addition to developing production, fisherman Nguyen Ngoc Canh also proactively shares experiences and provides technical support to local fishing vessels. Many households have been guided and assisted by him and have gradually risen up to create a stable life. He is also the one who initiated the establishment of a solidarity group for production at sea to help each other in fishing, exploiting seafood and searching and rescuing victims when incidents occur.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Canh said: "To go out to sea to fish effectively, each fisherman must be proficient in the profession, accumulate experience in seafood exploitation such as understanding the cycle of tides and wind directions. Depending on the season, which direction the fish move, we must stick to that fishing ground to catch them. Therefore, through the solidarity group for production at sea, I have approached and instructed my colleagues about the experiences I have accumulated."

With his efforts and endeavors in the process of labor and production, fisherman Nguyen Ngoc Canh has achieved the title of excellent farmer and businessman at the provincial and central levels for many consecutive years, and has been awarded a certificate of merit by the Prime Minister. In 2023, Nguyen Ngoc Canh was honored as one of the 100 outstanding farmers in the country, voted as an "Outstanding Vietnamese Farmer" and received a certificate of merit from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Union . Notably, in 2021, fisherman Nguyen Ngoc Canh was honored to receive the Third Class Labor Medal from the President.

“With the spirit of solidarity and support for everyone in labor and production, every year, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Canh's family has helped dozens of local households with capital to invest in purchasing and repairing boats and fishing gear. Through the solidarity group for production at sea, Mr. Canh also supports other boat owners with materials, equipment and techniques to go out to sea together, both developing production, improving family economy and contributing to protecting the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland”. Mr. Tran Van Quan, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the ward, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Bac Gianh ward shared.

Not only is he a dynamic fisherman, daring to think and act to become a progressive model in developing the marine economy, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Canh is also an active person in rescue work at sea. Over the past 20 years, Mr. Canh and his crew have towed and rescued 15 ships that were in distress due to mechanical failure and other incidents while fishing at sea.

“By being honored as one of 38 typical advanced individuals with outstanding achievements in the patriotic emulation movements in the period of 2020-2025 of Quang Tri province, fisherman Nguyen Ngoc Canh has created a widespread influence in the community. Bac Gianh Ward has also launched a patriotic emulation movement. In practice, the movement has become an important driving force to promote people of all walks of life to enthusiastically compete in labor production, contributing to the successful implementation of the local socio-economic development goals,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Tinh, Chairman of Bac Gianh Ward People's Committee.

Le Hoai Nam

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202510/chuyen-ve-ngu-dan-nguyen-ngoc-canh-2371ffd/