Binh Thuan fishermen anticipating a bountiful southern fishing season

High expectations for the southern fishing season

During the final days of May, the fishing ports of Phu Hai, Con Cha (Phan Thiet city), and Phan Ri Cua (Tuy Phong district, Binh Thuan province) experienced a slowdown in activity due to the impact of a tropical depression. However, following the observation of stable weather conditions for safe navigation, local fishermen seized the opportunity to transport provisions such as food, supplies, fuel, and ice; and resume their offshore fishing activities for the southern fishing season.

According to local fishermen, the southern fishing season spans from April to September of the lunar calendar. This is the main fishing season of the year for coastal fishermen in Binh Thuan province. Notably, the local fishing community is anticipating a bountiful harvest this year.

Phan Van Chi, a fisherman from Quarter 2, Phu Hai ward, Phan Thiet city, while transporting provisions onto his vessel after over a week ashore, revealed that his vehicle specializes in purse seine fishing. Due to the lack of fish in local fishing grounds since the beginning of 2024, his vessel only made several trips to sea. Each sea trip typically lasts between two and three days, earning Chi approximately 30 million VND in total. His crew members receive a monthly share ranging from 5 to 7 million VND, lower than last year due to the relatively high fuel costs, averaging over 100 million VND per month for each trip.

According to him, the main fishing season, which lasts until the seventh lunar month, boasts favorable weather conditions and abundant fish stocks including mackerel scad, Indian mackerel, yellowstripe scad, herring, among others. Consequently, these factors will allow local fishermen to generate additional profits.

Nguyen Phat Huy, a fisherman from Quarter 5, Phu Hai ward, noted that local fishermen saw limited fishing yield in the previous month despite their extended trips to sea. More local fishing vessels are setting sail as June arrives, with expectations of substantial yields and stable selling prices.

Strict monitoring of fishing vessels

According to Binh Thuan province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the province harvested nearly 87,500 tons of seafood in the first five months of the year, reaching 36.6% of the annual plan, and achieving an increase of 1.7% compared to the corresponding period in 2023.

With the aim of maintaining effective seafood harvesting activities, the province's fisheries sector has encouraged offshore vessel owners to install post-harvest preservation systems using Polyurethane (PU) foam and line vessel holds with stainless steel to reduce losses; thereby increasing the selling prices of harvested seafood products.

In addition, the local Sub-Department of Fisheries and Agricultural Extension Center have actively promoted the adoption of scientific advancements among vessel owners within the province. These technologies include LED lights, side-scan sonar devices, hydraulic winches, and long-range communication equipment to enhance fishing capabilities. Furthermore, fishermen have been advised to adopt team-based fishing models to foster cooperation at sea. On the other hand, the province will enhance fishery support services to reduce costs and increase labor efficiency.

Binh Thuan province is currently managing 132 cooperative fishing groups consisting of over 1,300 vessels, more than 6,000 crew members, and 5 fishery unions. There are also 32 logistics service vessels operating as businesses and 17 as cooperatives.

In addition to encouraging fishermen to set sail for the southern fishing season, Binh Thuan is focusing on implementing comprehensive measures in accordance with the directives of the central government and the recommendations of the European Commission (EC) regarding anti-IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) fishing.

During a recent meeting with the delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nguyen Van Chien, Deputy Director of Binh Thuan province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, reported that local governments and relevant agencies are actively implementing measures to prevent fishing vessels from infringing on foreign waters. These efforts involve a multifaceted approach, combining information dissemination, mobilization, and mandatory commitments from fishermen.

On the other hand, the province regularly compiles statistics and lists to support the special monitoring of high-risk fishing vessels. The province also deploys officials, soldiers, and party members within the area to supervise and prevent these vessels from infringing on foreign waters.

Additionally, the Fishing Vessel Monitoring Center utilizes a 24/7 duty system to remind vessel owners to maintain vessel monitoring system connection during operations at sea. The center also issues warnings for fishing vessels crossing maritime boundaries, and requests them to promptly return to Vietnamese waters. Violators are subject to strict penalties, with public reviews held within the community.

With the exception of an incident involving a local fishing vessel seized by Malaysia in early 2023, resulting in a total fine of 900 million VND, Binh Thuan province has not reported new violations of fishing vessels infringing on foreign waters.

During a recent meeting with Binh Thuan province, the delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requested the province to continue monitoring its fishing fleet and addressing the disconnection of vessel monitoring systems, particularly during the southern fishing season when the risk of violations in foreign waters is higher.