The breakwater was devastated by the storm, fishing boats did not dare to enter or exit the estuary.

The waterway in and out of Tam Quan fishing port has long been difficult for fishing boats due to silting. Now the breakwater has been devastated by storm No. 13, doubling the danger.

The breakwater at the entrance to Tam Quan fishing port (Hoai Nhon Bac ward, Gia Lai ) was solidly built but could not withstand the terrible destruction of storm 13. After the storm, the breakwater body of more than 800m long was exposed with many broken and seriously eroded sections; large boulders at the foot of the breakwater and concrete pillars used to anchor ships were blown out nearly 2m, losing the ability to block waves, posing a danger to large fishing boats entering and leaving Tam Quan fishing port.

The breakwater at Tam Quan estuary (Hoai Nhon Bac ward, Gia Lai) was completely destroyed by storm No. 13. Photo: V.D.T.

After each fishing trip, most of the offshore fishing boats of fishermen from Hoai Nhon Bac, Hoai Nhon Dong, Tam Quan, and Hoai Nhon wards enter Tam Quan fishing port to sell their products. For a long time, Tam Quan seaport has been a difficult place for fishing boats due to silting. When the weather is rough and the sea is rough, fishing boats laden with products have to struggle to get through the seaport to safely enter the fishing port. According to many fishermen, the channel from the seaport to Tam Quan fishing port has been silted up for many years, making it difficult for fishing boats to enter and exit the fishing port when the weather is unfavorable.

Fisherman Tran Van Hau, owner of fishing boat BD 98252 TS (885 CV) in Hoai Nhon ward recalled: “In 2019, my fishing boat ran aground at Tam Quan estuary, but the damage was not as severe as another fishing boat of local fishermen on the way to sea for a new fishing trip. As soon as it reached Tam Quan estuary, it encountered big waves that caused the boat to lose control. The boat was thrown into the rocky embankment by the waves, the boat broke apart, and all fishing gear and food for the trip were swept away by the waves. Fortunately, the 5 crew members on the boat were rescued in time by a local fishing boat.”

Close-up of a section of the breakwater at Tam Quan estuary that broke after storm No. 13. Photo: V.D.T.

Scientists have identified climate change as the cause of the silting of Tam Quan estuary. Many large fishing vessels return to shore after a fishing trip with their holds full of products. To enter Tam Quan estuary, they have to hire other fishing vessels to go ahead to scout the way and tow the vessel, at a cost of 500,000 VND - 700,000 VND/trip, which not only costs more but also makes them worried about their safety.

Even many fishing boats have been fully fueled with ice, food, and provisions to prepare for a new fishing trip, but when the water is low, the weather is strong, the waves are big, and the sand is deposited, they have to postpone their trip, for fear that when passing through Tam Quan estuary, the waves will hit the embankment and cause the boat to break. Now, when the breakwater is broken by storm No. 13, the fishermen's worries when sending fishing boats to and from Tam Quan estuary are doubled.

Local fishermen are worried because the Tam Quan estuary has been silted up and the embankment is now damaged, making it difficult for fishing boats to enter and exit Tam Quan fishing port. Photo: V.D.T.

According to Mr. Tran The Nguyen, Vice Chairman of Hoai Nhon Bac Ward People's Committee, currently, on average, about 50 ships of 15m or more leave Tam Quan fishing port every day to go fishing. This coming December, when the main tuna fishing season begins, the number of large ships leaving Tam Quan fishing port will increase to about 1,300 ships. Currently, the breakwater at the fishing port has been severely damaged by storm No. 13, plus about 120,000 cubic meters of sand are filling up the estuary, which will create great pressure for fishing vessels during the process of moving out to sea and after returning to shore.

“The local authorities promptly reported to the Provincial People's Committee for direction and guidance on overcoming the consequences of storm No. 13 on the breakwater of Tam Quan estuary to create conditions for fishermen's fishing boats to safely enter and exit the estuary,” said Mr. Tran The Nguyen.

Mr. Dang Van Dan, Director of Tam Quan Fishing Port, said that during the fishing season, most fishing boats going out to sea hire tugboats to safely pass through the estuary, but when the fishing boats return with full holds of products and encounter silting at the estuary, they will definitely turn back and go to fishing ports in Quang Ngai, Quy Nhon, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa and other southern provinces to sell their products.

“Recently, Hoai Nhon Bac Ward has proposed to the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee to consider and declare an emergency situation regarding natural disasters in the breakwater area of ​​the Tam Quan fishing port and the road along the Hoai Nhon Bac coast. At the same time, the province is requested to support about 50 billion VND to repair the damage to the breakwater to create favorable conditions for ships to enter and exit the port, contributing to the local economic development,” said Mr. Tran The Nguyen, Vice Chairman of the Hoai Nhon Bac Ward People's Committee.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/ke-chan-song-bi-bao-danh-tan-hoang-tau-ca-khong-dam-ra-vao-cua-bien-d784538.html