Mullet, like many other fish species, can migrate seasonally in search of better living conditions, such as water temperature, salinity or abundant food sources. Therefore, when the weather changes, it is also the time when mullet move in large numbers, often in schools, to find food or reproduce. When the fish move, they create waves and noise on the water surface, making fishermen feel like they are "running" (depending on the region, it is often called the mullet running season). Mullet live mainly in the pelagic layer near the shore, so you only need to cast the net about 7 - 9 nautical miles from the shore to catch mullet. From July, August to the end of the year is the time when mullet are fat and appear in large numbers. Fresh fish with sparkling scales after being caught are gathered by people to remove the net right on the shore, creating a busier atmosphere than ever.
Around 9-10am, on La Gan beach, there was a group of fishermen, about 5-6 people, sitting on the shore, watching each wave to find the mullet. Only with experience could these fishermen see the mullet "running". Pointing to the moving blue-black sea water in the distance, the men on the shore quickly shouted: "Fish, fish...", then a fisherman quickly grabbed his net and rushed into the sea to throw the net. The net rose high, spreading out over the sea, beautiful to see. About five minutes later, they pulled the net back up, rolled it up to the shore to remove the fish amid loud laughter. The fish jumped up, showing off their plump bellies and shiny scales. One person pulled it up and then took turns with another. “Occasionally, there will be a stream of fish floating on the water to catch bait, revealing their white backs, and you will be able to see them. People who do not work in the sea, few can identify where there are mullet fish,” said Mr. Hau, a fisherman who has fished for mullet for many years in La Gan sea.
Compared to other sea areas, La Gan Strait is not too deep. People who have lived along the coast for a long time believe that the mullet coming ashore is a good sign of the natural marine environment here. Mullet this season is mainly leaf mullet, pointed mullet has delicious meat. Mullet fishermen said that this profession has unstable income, some days yes, some days no, however, in the harvest month, it also brings good income. "Small mullet the size of 2 fingers is sold for 30,000 - 40,000 VND/kg; larger ones cost 80,000 - 100,000 VND/kg. Those who are diligent can earn an average of 300,000 - 400,000 VND per day. During the peak fishing season (August and September of the lunar calendar), there are days when each person earns 700,000 VND to a million VND", said Mr. Ngo Van Tuan - an old fisherman who has been in the profession for more than 30 years.
Mullet is very fatty in season, the fish meat is sweet and fragrant, coastal people often grill mullet on hot coal stoves and eat it with tamarind fish sauce, it goes very well with rice. Mullet has thick scales, when you remove the scales you will see a layer of golden fat, creating a fragrant smell when grilled on the stove that is hard to resist for anyone nearby. Coastal people also eat the scales, for them this is the fattiest part. If you are not used to eating scales, you can remove the scales from the belly up and the entire layer of scales will come off easily.
The coming months will be the peak season for mullet, so along the nearly kilometer-long La Gan beach, it becomes very lively because many groups of people from everywhere call out to each other, inviting each other to cast nets and catch mullet, even children participate. Harvesting mullet not only helps fishermen earn more income, but is also an interesting experience when looking for "sea blessings" in the north wind season. The fishermen here always remind each other that when catching small fish, they should release them back into the sea so that they can grow bigger, and there will be fish to catch next time. Only then will aquatic resources not be depleted and fishermen will have "sea blessings" for a long time.
Source: https://baolamdong.vn/mua-ca-doi-chay-o-bien-la-gan-382921.html
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