Fishermen are ready to go in search of "bounty from the sea".

(Baohatinh.vn) - Preparing for their first fishing trip of the year, fishermen in Ha Tinh province pray for a safe year of production, calm seas, abundant fishing grounds, and a catch of 45,000 tons of seafood...

Mr. Tran Dinh Cu (in the blue shirt) and his fellow fishermen prepare their fishing gear for new fishing trips.

After the joyful Tet holiday, Mr. Tran Dinh Cu, owner of the fishing vessel HT 90278 TS in Trung Nghia village (Loc Ha commune), and his fellow fishermen mended nets, repaired fishing gear, checked fuel, and started up the machinery… in preparation for their first fishing trip of the year in a few days. The atmosphere on this first day of work was quite cheerful and lively, and their sun-tanned faces shone with confidence in the upcoming voyages.

Mr. Tran Dinh Cu shared: “Our boat has a capacity of 350 horsepower, specializing in offshore fishing with 5-7 workers, each trip lasting 7-10 days. Last year, due to continuous storms, the catch was not as expected. Therefore, this year we hope to be luckier, returning with a full hold of shrimp and fish, and improving our income.”

Fishermen in Xuan Phuong village (Loc Ha commune) check their machinery and clean their boats to get ready to go out to find "bounty from the sea" at the beginning of the year.

Having experienced a maritime accident three years ago, fisherman Tran Van Son from Phu Mau village (Loc Ha commune) always prioritizes safety during the New Year. Son shared: "Because 'life and death are separated by only a thin bamboo frame,' we are quite superstitious. At the beginning of the new year, my family carefully lights incense and performs rituals to worship our ancestors and our boats, praying for safety. Along with that, we also inspect our fishing boats, machinery, and equipment to ensure safety..."

Mr. Tran Phi Long, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Loc Ha commune, said: "There are about 300 boats and thousands of fishermen in the area. With the mindset of 'a good start leads to a good finish,' at the beginning of the new year, the fishermen all wish for successful fishing trips to aim for a catch of 5,100 tons of seafood in 2026. To encourage the fishermen, the local Party committee and government have visited them to offer New Year greetings, inquire about their production situation, and remind them to pay attention to safety."

Fishermen in Yen Diem village (Loc Ha commune) are busily preparing for their upcoming fishing trips.

Fishermen operating in nearshore waters on small boats are also preparing to seek their first catches of the year. Mr. Luong Van Hien from Tan Ninh Chau village (Dan Hai commune) said: “Everything is ready; we just need sunny weather and calm waves to set off. Everyone hopes that every trip will be smooth sailing and that the first catches of the year will bring in 10-15 kg of mantis shrimp, green crabs, grouper, prawns, squid… providing an income of over 1 million VND per person per day.”

Taking advantage of rough seas, fishermen in Dan Hai commune mend their nets to improve their productivity.

Currently, 2,969 fishing vessels (107 operating in offshore areas, 510 in coastal areas, and 2,352 nearshore) belonging to fishermen in Ha Tinh province are all ready to go out to sea. More than 15,000 marine workers are also busily preparing for their first fishing trip of the year, hoping for a safe year of production, favorable weather, and abundant fishing grounds. This will bring back many gifts from the sea to improve their lives, employment, income, and living standards.

To "support" the fishermen, the authorities are also ready to accompany and assist them. Lieutenant Colonel Bui Viet Dung – Deputy Chief of Staff of the Ha Tinh Border Guard Command, said: “From the very first days of spring, we have directed the border posts and stations along the 137 km coastline to actively monitor the area to wish fishermen a Happy New Year, encourage them to stay at sea and strictly comply with the Fisheries Law, and actively prevent IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing. To ensure safety and efficiency in production, we will strengthen patrols and controls, facilitate procedures, and be ready to respond to any incidents at sea.”

Fishermen in Hai Phong 1 residential area (Vung Ang ward) inspect their boats and prepare fishing gear for the first fishing trips of the year.

Mr. Ho Ngoc Dien, an official from the Ha Tinh Fisheries Sub-Department (Department of Agriculture and Environment), said: “Ha Tinh fishermen are enthusiastic and determined to welcome the first fishing trips of the year safely and successfully; especially in localities with many advantages in seafood exploitation such as Cam Trung, Loc Ha, Thien Cam, Dan Hai, Yen Hoa, Thach Lac, Dong Tien… The new confidence and new spirit of the fishermen is the premise and foundation for the whole province to aim for the goal of catching 45,000 tons of seafood this year.”

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/ngu-dan-san-ready-to-find-sea-resources-post306125.html