Resiliently clinging to the sea, preserving fishing grounds

Facing many difficulties from the market and challenges in the East Sea, Dak Lak fishermen are still resilient to overcome the waves and go out to sea. The fishermen’s trips not only bring the dream of having enough for their families but also demonstrate the determination to preserve and protect the sovereignty of the country’s seas at the forefront.

Dak Lak has a coastline of more than 189 km, with many estuaries favorable for fishing. For generations, the sea has been a place to make a living, nurturing many generations of fishermen in coastal villages. Ocean tuna fishing fleets operate almost year-round, only taking the opportunity to bring their boats to shore for a couple of months to repair, then continue to go out to sea.

Fisherman Tran Minh Hoang in Tuy Hoa ward confided: Seafarers consider the sea as their home, and persevere in sticking to the sea. But each year, the sea only generously bestows blessings for a few months, from January to March, when almost all boats return to shore with full holds. During the remaining months, the crew must extend their trip, sometimes up to 2 moons (nearly 2 months) to have enough catch to bring the boat ashore.

Meanwhile, for many months now, the price of tuna has been continuously falling, currently only 98,000 VND/kg. At this price, each fishing boat returning will only cover its losses (all kinds of costs for engine oil, ice, food, etc.). Mr. Nguyen Dinh, a fisherman in Tuy An Dong commune, calculated: For fishing boats with a capacity of 400CV or more, the cost for each trip is about 150 million VND, while this season each returning boat usually only catches about 2 tons of fish. In other words, the income is only enough to cover losses and share a little with fellow fishermen.

In addition, during this season, tropical depressions often suddenly form and move quickly at sea, posing many risks to boats operating far from shore. Every time they go out to sea, fishermen are always worried, because just a strong whirlwind can make the journey dangerous. According to Mr. Vo Chi Thong, chief engineer of a fishing boat in Tuy Hoa ward, the sea is very unpredictable this season, just a moment of calm and then the wind rises. Therefore, people often move their boats closer to the DK1 fishing platform, so that if they encounter a sudden storm, they will have a place to take shelter.

After a month at sea, the fishermen's boats returned to shore, bringing with them many aquatic resources from the ocean.

Despite the difficulties, for generations, Dak Lak fishermen have persisted in going to sea. In a conversation with us, fisherman Tran Minh Hoang confided: “The sea not only provides fish and shrimp, but is also the flesh and blood of our homeland. Wherever our boat goes, the red flag with yellow star flies. We go to sea to feed our children, but also to affirm that this fishing ground belongs to Vietnam.”

Dak Lak currently has 2,990 fishing vessels registered on the National Fisheries Database System. The whole province is maintaining 119 production teams at sea with a total of 926 vessels/7,942 regular workers. Since the beginning of the year, the total output of exploited aquatic products is estimated at 58,629 tons, equal to 107.1% of the same period in 2024; of which, the output of exploited marine products reached 56,381 tons, equal to 103.9% of the same period.

Indeed, for Dak Lak fishermen, staying at sea is not just a means of livelihood, but has become a way of life. The catches of tuna are a testament to the tenacious and resilient labor of those who struggle day and night against the waves, contributing to enriching their homeland. In the strategy of developing the marine economy and protecting sovereignty , fishermen are likened to mobile "landmarks" in the middle of the ocean. Each trip to the sea is not only for fishing, but also affirms the presence of Vietnamese people on the Vietnamese sea. More importantly, each fisherman, each fishing vessel is also a "silent warrior" contributing to protecting the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland.

Mr. Nguyen Cu, Chairman of the Tuy An Dong Commune Fisheries Union, said: Every year, from May onwards, Vietnamese fishing boats entering the 12th parallel to the 21st and 22nd parallels will be threatened by foreign ships, while these are Vietnam's fishing grounds. However, the will of fishermen to stick to the sea has never wavered. Everyone unites to form production teams at sea, supporting each other when facing risks and contributing to increasing fishing efficiency. It is this solidarity that helps fishermen stand firm against storms and all challenges, creating community strength at sea.

From the white-capped waves to the full catch of fish, the fishermen’s journey to the sea is a journey of faith, determination and love for their homeland. They have been guarding their beloved sea and islands day and night, so that every inch of their homeland’s sea will forever belong to the Vietnamese people.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/kinh-te/202509/kien-cuong-bam-bien-gin-giu-ngu-truong-a621102/