VietNamNet Bridge – Fishermen in the central region have seen bumper catches and big profits during Tet (the Lunar New Year).

Fishermen in Quang Binh Province’s Bo Trach District return with a good catch after Tet. – VNA/VNS Photo Vo Dung

In Khanh Hoa Province, many boats that fished offshore during Tet have returned filled with fish.

Dao Phuoc Hung, who docked at the Hon Ro Fishing Port in Nha Trang City on Monday (February 19), said he caught 10 tonnes of fish, mostly yellow tuna and mackerel, during a 12-day trip to Truong Sa (Spratly Islands).

Every man on the boat got an income of VND10 million (US$440), he said.

Fishes like tuna and mackerel fetch high prices during Tet, according to the Hon Ro Fishing Port Management Board.

Traders buy striped tuna at a price of VND140,000 – 150,000 a kilogramme and mackerel at VND300,000 – 320,000.

On Monday many fishing boats in Nha Trang returned to fish off-shore after Tet.

Phan Thanh Tong of Nha Trang said he decided to begin his fishing trip on the auspicious fourth day of the new year.

“We will fish for about 20 days on this trip.”

In Quang Binh Province, fishermen who went on a one-day trip after Tet have also had good catches because of the favourable weather.  

Ho Van Sau of Duc Trach Commune in Bo Trach District caught 70 kilogrammes of herring five nautical miles off the shore between 3am and 8am on Sunday.

He earned a profit of nearly VND4 million ($170) from the trip.

“I am glad the first fishing trip after Tet saw a good catch.”

Fresh herring is in great demand during Tet that traders were willing to pay VND50,000 – 100,000 per kilogramme this year, 20-30 per cent higher than on normal days, local fishermen said.  

In Quang Tri Province, nearly 100 boats that fished around Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands during Tet returned with good catches.

They said they caught between 400 kilogrammes and one tonne of mostly mackerel and earned profits of VND100-300 million from a trip lasting just a few days.

Elsewhere, fishermen who fished near shore in Vinh Thai Commune in Quang Tri’s Vinh Linh District got bumper catches of cuttlefish after going fishing on the second day of the new year.

Ngo The Thanh, chairman of the Vinh Thai Commune People’s Committee, said some resumed fishing on Tet though most began the day after.

This year most boats got good catches during their first trip, earning VND1-3 million per night, he said. 

Source: VNS