• Dried snakehead fish is a popular dish during the Tet holiday.
  • Harvesting snakehead fish for Tet (Vietnamese New Year)
  • Breeding snakehead fish fry saves costs.
  • Rising fish prices lead to high profits for snakehead fish farmers.

The group of union members specializing in harvesting snakehead fish in Tran Van Thoi Commune gathered early to ensure they could harvest as scheduled.

Most members of the group own snakehead fish ponds, while a few are from other professions. The snakehead fish harvesting season for Tet (Lunar New Year) begins in October of the lunar calendar and lasts until Tet. Representing the group, Mr. Le Van Lam (Hamlet 4, Tran Van Thoi Commune) enthusiastically said: “Besides requiring experience, the priority for the Trade Union group is trustworthiness with both homeowners and traders. We select fish according to the homeowner's specifications (number of fish per kilogram). We prepare and catch the fish on time as instructed by the traders. On average, we work for 1-2 households a day, completing the job in about 5-6 hours. At the end of the snakehead fish season, each member earns 20-30 million VND, allowing for a more prosperous Tet.”

Harvesting snakehead fish requires experience to avoid losses and ensure benefits for both the homeowner and the traders.

As one of the long-time snakehead fish farmers in this area, Mr. Nguyen Hung Nam, from Hamlet 2, Tran Van Thoi Commune, has experienced many ups and downs depending on fish prices, but he remains committed to the profession. Starting with one pond, his family saved up and expanded to four ponds for raising snakehead fish today.

Mr. Nam said: “Previously, people raising snakehead fish helped each other out, sometimes up to ten households. As we get older, we can't help anymore, and some households are single-person, so for the past four years, there's been a group specializing in harvesting snakehead fish for hire, which is very convenient. This year's snakehead fish harvest yielded about 20 tons per pond, and they pay 1 million VND per person per ton. They handle everything from pumping water and pulling nets to loading, sorting, weighing, and delivering to traders. We just observe and take notes, so it's very easy. The group members work quickly, meticulously, and professionally, so we feel reassured.”

Thanks to their careful and professional work, the team has earned the trust and confidence of local snakehead fish farmers.

Since the establishment of the Trade Union group for hired snakehead fish harvesting, many snakehead fish farmers in the Tran Van Thoi freshwater area have used this service. Farmers and traders can agree on and proactively manage harvesting times, minimizing fish losses and ensuring accurate weighing. The formation of the fish harvesting group creates jobs for local laborers during their free time while also benefiting fish farmers.

After harvesting, the team also sorts the fish according to customer requirements.

This year's snakehead fish harvest has seen prices nearly double compared to the same period last year. In the freshwater area of ​​Tran Van Thoi Commune during the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), the peak season for snakehead fish harvesting is bustling with the sounds of water pumps and lively laughter from ponds that have yielded bountiful harvests and fetched good prices.

Thao Mo

Source: https://baocamau.vn/them-thu-nhap-mua-giap-tet-a126255.html