Striving to exceed the planned seafood catch targets.

According to the Provincial Fisheries Department, in 2023, the province set a target of exploiting over 124,050 tons of various seafood. However, thanks to favorable weather, relatively stable fuel prices, and the support of all levels of government, the provincial fisheries sector achieved an exploitation output of 131,588 tons, an increase of 3% compared to 2022, exceeding the plan by 6.1%.

Thanks to favorable fishing conditions from mid-March to August, with large schools of tuna, mackerel, and anchovies appearing for extended periods in the waters from Ninh Thuan to Phu Quy (Binh Thuan), Con Son (Vung Tau), and Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), fishing vessels in the province have achieved considerable yields of various high-value seafood, motivating fishermen to expand their fishing activities. Fisherman Nguyen Trung Dung, from Dong Hai ward (Phan Rang - Thap Cham city), who operates a gillnet fishing vessel with a capacity of over 900 horsepower, said: "This year, the weather has been relatively favorable, and the timely information and forecasts from the Provincial Fisheries Department have helped us proactively prepare our fishing equipment, especially in distant waters, effectively." Some months the boats make two trips to sea, sometimes only one. During the southern fishing season, when they hit a good school of fish, they can catch over ten tons, or even 6-9 tons, mainly tuna and mackerel, bringing in an income of 170-220 million VND.

Reportedly, to date, 100% of the province's offshore fishing vessels have been granted fishing licenses; the rate of fishing vessels equipped with vessel tracking devices has reached 99.7% (including 100% of fishing vessels 24m or longer); the rate of fishing vessels granted food safety certificates has reached 99.6%; and 100% of fishing vessel data has been updated into the national fisheries database (VNFishbase). Assessments show that the inspection and control of fishing vessels, in accordance with the recommendations of the European Commission (EC), have made significant progress, with most offshore fishing vessels strictly complying with reporting and submitting fishing logbooks. Currently, the province has no fishing vessels violating foreign waters. Regarding certificates of origin for seafood raw materials, the province has not received any shipments requiring certification.

Purchasing seafood at Dong Hai Fishing Port.

According to Mr. Dang Kim Cuong, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the province, the estimated catch in 2023 reached 131,588 tons, an increase of 3% compared to 2022, exceeding the plan by 6.1%. This is a commendable result, reflecting the efforts of the provincial fisheries sector in adjusting the fishing structure and improving the fishing capacity of fishermen's vessels. The current fishing vessel capacity is 2,293 vessels (6m or longer), an increase of 26 vessels compared to 2022. This shows that the province's fishing fleet is increasingly being upgraded and modernized, meeting the needs of fishing in distant seas. The management and control of fishing activities have been implemented effectively. Through inspections of 3,407 fishing vessels at fishing ports, all were found to comply with regulations, with no violations detected. This is a positive sign, demonstrating that the awareness of Ninh Thuan fishermen regarding compliance with fisheries laws is improving.

In 2024, the province set a target of exploiting 127,150 tons of various seafood. To achieve this plan, the province will continue to encourage fishermen to build new, modify, and upgrade fishing vessels and invest in modern technology and equipment; continue to implement policies supporting fishermen in offshore fishing, and expand the model of cooperative fishing groups and teams to support each other during the fishing process. At the same time, the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with relevant units and localities, will continue to implement urgent tasks and solutions to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; guide fishermen to sign commitments to comply with regulations in fishing activities according to the Fisheries Law; and coordinate with provinces and cities in the southern region and all levels to promote information and propaganda on combating IUU fishing and not violating foreign waters. Proactively forecast fishing ground information so that fishermen are aware and can plan the movement of fishing vessels for rational and efficient exploitation. Along with that, strengthen the dissemination of state laws and regulations on the exploitation and protection of marine resources in each sea area.

Mr. Tuan

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