Binh Thuan fishing industry thrives amid pandemic

The south central province of Binh Thuan, one of the four largest fishing grounds in Vietnam, has achieved many positive achievements amid the pandemic.

The pandemic has affected most industries, but thanks to COVID-19 prevention and control measures, favourable weather, and cooperation among business firms, the fishing industry in Binh Thuan has been able to thrive.

Fishermen in Binh Thuan province are entering the southern fishing season, the main fishing season of the year.

While fishing output is not as high as expected in some coastal provinces and cities, Binh Thuan province is doing quite well, with abundant seafood output.

Recently, boat owner Phung Van Tien, together with his friends, arrived at Phan Thiet fishing port after more than a half month of fishing offshore.

Nearly ten tonnes of fish harvested by Tien’s vessel were immediately bought by consumers.

“Everyone was worried the day we set sail. We were afraid that seafood products would not be sold because of the epidemic. However, after deducting all expenses, each boatman was able to earn nearly 10 million VND,” Tien said.

After handing over the fisheries products to purchasing units, the group of fishermen on Tien’s ship immediately contacted authorities to make medical declarations and report their sailing schedules, then returned to the ship to prepare for a trip in the next few days.

Similarly, Tran Ut from Mui Ne ward in Phan Thiet city said that he has been able to sell dozens of tonnes of anchovies to traders.

“Anchovy is now priced at 9,000 VND per kilo, which is a drop compared to the same period last year, but the difference is not that much. Since anchovies are important for traditional fish sauce and fish powder, large quantities of anchovies have sold,” Ut added.

Since the weather was favourable in the first six months of 2021, fishermen caught 19,000 tonnes of seafood, up 4.65 percent over the same period last year.

Businesses join hands with fishermen

Huynh Quang Huy, director of the Binh Thuan province Fisheries Sub-Department, said that fishing output at the locality is estimated at about 100,000 tonnes, up 20 percent year on year.

According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, fishing, trading and exchanging seafood in the locality are still under control, partly because the province has taken the initiative in epidemic control and prevention while businesses and buying units have joined hands to secure the seafood caught by local fishermen.

Do Van Thanh, director of the Bich Thanh Company in Phan Thiet city, said that the outbreak, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, has affected the consumption of seafood in Binh Thuan province.

“However, we still try our best to buy fisheries products for fishermen, then put it in cold storage for preservation and wait for favourable conditions to sell,” he said.

An owner of a purchasing facility at the La Gi Fishing Port added that fishermen are his long-term customers. When they face difficulties, he has to find a way to support them as much as he can.

“Many businesses here are operating at full capacity to buy fisheries products for locals,” he said.

Truong Quang Hien, chairman of the Phan Thiet Fish Sauce Association, said that anchovies are the main fisheries product exploited in Binh Thuan province during the southern fishing season./.