"Hunting" for sea bass at Hon Da Bac

(CMO) In Hon Da Bac, Khanh Binh Tay commune, Tran Van Thoi district, there are about 5 households engaged in the profession of casting nets to catch sea bass at sea. Most fishermen cast their nets around the islet (shallow area) on days when the sea is rough.

The sea bass fishing season begins in March and lasts until June according to the lunar calendar. This is the season of the South wind, when the sea is windy, and it is also when sea bass are most active in areas near the shore.

Around early afternoon, fishermen will take the opportunity to check their nets, mainly to inspect them and prevent them from getting tangled.

Mr. Huynh Viet Hung (Ba Hung), 61 years old, from Kinh Hon Bac hamlet, Khanh Binh Tay commune, is one of the fishermen who has been involved in the sea bass fishing profession for 20 years. Mr. Ba Hung said: "During the monsoon season, we go fishing with hooks, and after the season, we go net fishing... And when the south wind comes, we start sea bass fishing. This profession is quite safe because the mesh size is about 18 cm, so we mainly catch large fish, averaging 4.5 kg/fish or more. Besides sea bass, some other large fish also get caught in the nets."

During this season, fishermen check their sea bass nets around 2 AM, which is the beginning of the low tide, so the fish will be most active in the shallow areas where the fishermen have already set up their nets.

Starting early in the morning, some fishermen take their nets out to sea to cast them. Depending on the tide, they will check their nets at different times. Most fishermen check their nets around 2 AM during this season, continuing until dawn, and then take their catch to sell at the early morning market.

Mr. Ba Hung has about 350 meters of nets (divided into 7 sections) spread next to the island. "I check the nets, making sure to time it right at the beginning of high tide and the beginning of low tide, because this is when sea bass hunt a lot. Especially on days when the sea is rougher, we catch more fish," he shared.

Mr. Ba Hung (on the left) is delighted after harvesting a large sea bass.

Besides sea bass, fishermen can also catch other types of fish such as barramundi, shark, and scad, all of large size. Sea bass are sold to wholesalers at various prices depending on the size; fish weighing 5 kg/each are priced at around 60,000 VND/kg, while those weighing 7 kg or more are priced at around 75,000 VND/kg. Mr. Phan Van Dung (Kinh Hon Bac hamlet, Khanh Binh Tay commune), a fish trader, said: "There are very few people who fish for sea bass here because of the high danger when there are strong waves and winds. They stick with the profession because of their passion. Each day, some fishermen catch 2-3 fish, and when they are lucky, they catch more. This profession also helps fishermen increase their income to prepare fishing gear for upcoming trips."

Performed by Nhat Minh

Source: https://baocamau.vn/-san-ca-chem-o-hon-da-bac-a1818.html