Exploiting marine resources to develop seafood processing industry

Utilizing marine resources

Thai Thuy is one of two coastal districts of Thai Binh province with 27km of coastline with 2,700 hectares of brackish and saltwater aquaculture; 1,570 hectares of freshwater aquaculture and 465 seafood exploitation vessels with a total capacity of 101,500CV. The total annual aquaculture and seafood exploitation output in the district reaches from 95,000 to 100,000 tons.

Mr. Le Nguyen Hoai - Vice Chairman of Thai Thuy District People's Committee said that the total output achieved in the year of the district is a large source of raw materials for the district to develop the aquatic and seafood processing industry (CBTHS), create jobs, increase income, and develop the economy for coastal communes. Therefore, Thai Thuy district has been focusing on effectively implementing solutions to develop the CBTHS industry in the district.

The fish produced by fishermen at sea are purchased by companies for processing at good prices. Photo: Luong Ha

Born in a coastal area, with the desire to get rich from the sea, Ms. Ta Thi Hanh's family (Diem Dien town, Thai Thuy district, Thai Binh province) started their business from scratch. In 2006, Ms. Hanh opened a seafood processing facility, helping local fishermen consume seafood and creating jobs for 30-40 seasonal workers with an income of 6-8 million VND/person/month.

"Since the establishment was opened, my family's establishment has brought in an average of more than 3 billion VND in revenue each year. In addition, we purchase, process and sell more than 150 tons of jellyfish, 50 tons of shrimp and various types of fish to the market," Ms. Hanh shared.

Mrs. Hanh's jellyfish processing facility. Photo: Ha Vi

Meanwhile, Thuy Hai Seafood Processing Company Limited (An Tan Commune, Thai Thuy District, Thai Binh Province) is taking advantage of purchasing fish raw materials from local fishermen to process fish meal to supply to units using as raw materials for animal feed production.

Mr. Bui Ngoc Nam - Deputy Director of the company said: "On average, my company purchases about 30,000 tons of raw fish from fishermen at sea every year. Therefore, since the company started operating, it has not only provided stable jobs for workers in production and processing at the factory but also purchased and created jobs for thousands of fishermen in Thai Binh province as well as neighboring provinces."

Mobilizing to expand the scale of aquatic and seafood processing production

Also according to Vice Chairman of Thai Thuy District People's Committee Le Nguyen Hoai, developing marine economy is a breakthrough in the socio-economic development of the locality, in which the focus is on aquaculture, exploitation and CBTHS in Thuy Xuan, Thuy Hai communes and Diem Dien town. Recently, Thai Thuy district has been focusing on site clearance, creating land fund for trade and service development in Thai Binh economic zone to attract investors to industrial clusters.

The agricultural, forestry and fishery processing industries are encouraged to attract investment in industrial clusters; enterprises and CBTHS establishments are encouraged to expand production scale, innovate production processes towards ensuring food safety, and apply scientific and technological advances in the processing process. At the same time, encourage and support CBTHS units and establishments to register trademarks for products. Actively participate in fairs and exhibitions inside and outside the province to seek and expand consumption markets.

Producing fishmeal for animal feed production at a company in Thai Thuy district. Photo: Luong Ha — Producing fishmeal for animal feed production at a company in Thai Thuy district (Thai Binh province). Photo: Luong Ha

In addition, Thai Thuy district is interested in implementing solutions to improve productivity and quality of raw materials for CBTHS, such as: investing in construction, completing the infrastructure system and logistics services for fisheries, improving human resources to ensure good service for the development needs of the exploitation industry, monitoring processes and tracing the origin of exploited aquatic products.

Accordingly, gradually develop a fleet of logistics services, purchasing, preserving and processing products at sea to save time and reduce costs, improve the quality of raw materials. Research and apply, transfer new technology and techniques in exploitation and preservation on fishing vessels, thereby increasing value, providing quality raw materials for processing and export.

Stable output helps fishermen feel secure at sea. Photo: Luong Ha

"Currently, the whole district has 5 CBTHS products that have been evaluated, ranked and recognized as OCOP with 3 - 4 stars. These products have created jobs for over 3,000 workers. Each year, 2.5 - 3 million liters of fish sauce; 2,000 - 2,500 tons of fermented fish sauce; 3 - 3.5 tons of frozen fish and 200 - 300 tons of various types of dried seafood are processed.

Therefore, it is necessary to promote folk brands, especially branded products such as fish sauce and Diem Dien fish sauce, dried fish and frozen products in Thuy Xuan, Thuy Hai through mass media and exhibition fairs. Focus on building and upgrading OCOP products for CBTHS products..." - Vice Chairman of Thai Thuy District People's Committee informed.

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