Pho Quang Ward (Duc Pho Town) has over 400 fishing vessels, of which more than 250 are long-distance vessels specializing in offshore fishing. Compared to other localities in the province, the number of fishing vessels in Pho Quang Ward is smaller in scale. However, this is a locality with relatively effective and developing marine fishing activities.
 |
| Fishing boats from Duc Pho town venture out to sea to fish. |
For many years, the Pho Quang Purse Seine Fishing Solidarity Group has been a shining example of solidarity and mutual support for the development of coastal fishermen. The group has 12 vessels specializing in purse seine fishing and gillnet fishing. After each fishing trip, each vessel contributes an average of 200,000 VND to the fund, with higher contributions possible during bountiful and profitable trips. Thanks to this, after nearly 10 years of establishment, the group's fund has grown significantly, at times reaching hundreds of millions of VND. This fund is used by the group to support members in need, both for funerals and charitable purposes, as well as for the entire fishing community; or to provide capital for members to purchase fishing gear and repair their boats during difficult times.
The Pho Quang purse seine fishing solidarity group has established a rule that, during fishing operations, if any of the 12 boats in the group encounter a problem, the group will assign another boat to tow the distressed vessel ashore. “We will determine which boat is closest to the distressed vessel and that boat will be responsible for towing it ashore. The group will allocate funds to cover the costs of towing the distressed vessel. In addition, the catch of the remaining 10 boats during the time the other two boats are ashore will be added up and divided equally among the 12 boats. This method has helped us become more united, and the distressed boats can overcome difficulties quickly without losing capital after the fishing trip,” shared fisherman Ngo Thanh Phong, head of the Pho Quang purse seine fishing solidarity group.
Besides supporting its own members, the Pho Quang Purse Seine Fishing Solidarity Group also assists other fishermen in the fishing village whenever they face difficulties or hardships. Fisherman Nguyen Van Lam, from Pho Quang ward, said, "Although I am not a member of the group, in 2023, seeing that I was in difficulty, the group lent me 30 million VND to buy more fishing gear. For my family at that time, this money was very meaningful, helping me overcome immediate difficulties, enabling me to go out to sea, and increase my income."
The province has over 5,000 registered fishing vessels participating in marine fisheries, of which 3,051 are 15 meters or longer. To date, more than 300 production solidarity groups have been formed in the province, with approximately 2,000 fishing vessels participating. These groups not only support each other in fishing but also actively participate in activities against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The development of these production solidarity groups creates a solid foundation for marine fisheries and contributes to protecting the sacred sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands.
 |
| Fishermen go through the necessary procedures at the Sa Ky Border Guard Station ( Quang Ngai City) before heading out to sea. |
According to Do Quoc Dung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Chau commune (Binh Son district), the maritime solidarity groups in Binh Chau are considered "living landmarks" contributing to the protection of the nation's maritime sovereignty. A highlight of these groups is their high effectiveness in disseminating information and mobilizing fishermen to comply with the law and engage in legal fishing. These maritime production solidarity groups also organize production efficiently, reducing costs for fishing vessels and contributing to rescue operations whenever fishing vessels or fishermen encounter difficulties at sea.
According to Ta Ngoc Thi, Deputy Head of the Fisheries and Marine Affairs Department of the province, thanks to the effective role of solidarity groups for marine fishing, the productivity and output of seafood catches have increased, raising fishermen's income and creating a positive effect in complying with regulations against IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing. In the coming time, the Fisheries and Marine Affairs Department of the province will continue to coordinate with localities to expand the number of solidarity groups for production at sea. At the same time, it will coordinate with border guards and local authorities to strengthen propaganda and organize ship owners and captains to sign commitments to comply with regulations in fisheries exploitation.
Text and photos: HONG HOA
Source: https://baoquangngai.vn/kinh-te/bien-kinh-te-bien/202504/ngu-dan-doan-ket-tuong-tro-nhau-4251697/
