(VOVWORLD) - Many fishing vessels from Khanh Hoa province have returned with holds full of tuna after spending the Lunar New Year (Tet) in the Truong Sa fishing grounds. The “sea’s blessings” at the start of the year have made up for the fishermen’s late Tet celebrations and encouraged them to continue their offshore voyages.
 A fishing boat returns from first fishing trip of the year with 60 tuna. (Photo: VOV) |
In the days following Tet, Hon Ro fishing port and the South-Central Seafood Wholesale Market in Nam Nha Trang ward, Khanh Hoa province, get busy early every morning. One vessel after another docks there after a long sea voyage and unloads 40-50 kilograms of tuna onto the pier. A fishing vessel owned by the family of Nguyen Thi Thanh caught 60 tuna worth about 9,500 USD.
Thanh said: “The income will allow my family to purchase additional materials before heading back out later this week. Using GPS equipment, our vessel mainly operates around the Truong Sa areas, fishing in familiar waters.”
 On this trip, each fisherman could earn up to 760 USD. (Photo: VOV) |
Fisherman Ngo Quoc Cuong, who just received his share of earnings from a 22-day trip, is eager to return home.
Cuong said: “Celebrating Tet offshore was still joyful, with Tet food, drinks, and even fireworks just as we have at home. I earned around 700 USD from this voyage. A good catch is a great encouragement to fishermen.”
At Hon Ro fishing port, many vessels are already preparing for a new voyage. Nets are being repaired, ice replenished, and fuel and daily necessities loaded onboard. The sea is their source of livelihood and the place where fishermen place their hopes.
 Fishermen return safely with their boat full of fish. (Photo: VOV) |
According to Nguyen Van Ba, head of the management board of Hon Ro port and the South-Central Seafood Wholesale Market, 70 tuna vessels fished through Tet and are now returning. In the first lunar month, 300 fishing boats are expected to depart for the Truong Sa fishing grounds.
Ba said: "We have strengthened staffing and created favorable conditions for fishermen to unload seafood quickly, while strictly implementing measures against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Preparations are in place to ensure vessels are fully supplied for their early-year voyages."