Despite having been hit hard by fuel price hike over the past time, fishermen in Da Nang have still made efforts to head out to sea in a bid to catch seafood and protect Viet Nam's sovereignty over its sea and islands.

Despite petrol price hike, Da Nang fishermen have still tried to head out to sea and stick to the sea. IN PHOTO: Fishing boats leaving the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf and Port to catch seafood. Photo: VAN HOANG

Following the latest adjustment by the ministries of Industry and Trade, and Finance on May 23 afternoon, the retail price of gasoline prices increased to more than VND30,000/litre, whilst that of DO 0.05s-II oil dropped by VND1,100/litre, to VND25,550/litre but remained at a high level.

As recorded at the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf and Port in Da Nang’s Son Tra District in recent days, many fishermen have been busy preparing for fuel, food, and other necessities for their multi-day offshore fishing trips at sea.

On the evening of May 25, Mr. Nguyen Van Son, who is the owner of fishing boat DNa 91169 TS and is residing in Hoa Minh Ward, Lien Chieu District, along with his friends, were seen making preparations for their upcoming 15-day-offshore fishing trip. According Mr. Son, this is his 7^th offshore fishing journey this year.

In order to prepare for his forthcoming trip, he is in need of at least 3,000 litres of oil, totalling about VND75 million.

“Despite recent hikes in fuel prices, we have still struggled to head out to sea. We are also happy at recent slight decrease in the price of oil. Hopefully, the price of gasoline will continue to decrease in the next adjustment so that fishermen can confidently head out to sea" said Nguyen Van Son.

Meanwhile, fisherman Tran Anh Minh from Quang Ngai Province said that he has just returned from a long offshore fishing trip which was his opening trip after 2-month hiatus from fishing. However, he added the seafood output was not much and the selling prices were not high, making his fishing journey unprofitable. He plans to conduct one more trip with his friends in the next few days.

According to Mr. Minh, the biggest worry of fishermen today is the cost of fuel and the price of seafood.

If the prices of gasoline and oil continue to escalate, it will be even more difficult for fishermen to make profits or even make a loss after every fishing boat.

Deputy Director of the Management Board of the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf Nguyen Lai emphasised that although the price of oil has decreased, but it is still very high, double that of the same period last year. Currently, there are a few boats returning to fishing activities.

Despite petrol price hike, Da Nang fishermen have still tried to head out to sea and stick to the sea. IN PHOTO: Fishermen are bringing seafood to the Son Tra District-located Tho Quang seafood wholesale market. Photo: VAN HOANG

According to recent statistics released by the Management Board, from May 15 - 24, 674 fishing boats docked at, and 594 ones left, the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf for the Hoang Sa waters. The output of exploited seafood through the whaft was 2,273 tonnes.

These figures are lower than those recorded before the rise in gasoline and oil prices.

The main reason is due to the continuous rise in gasoline and oil prices to all-time highs, causing many fishing boats to stop going out to sea since the longer they sail the more losses they incur.

Besides, seafood consumption has not increased, and the export market has not been fully recovered, mainly domestic consumption.

The decrease in the output and price of seafood, combined with the rise in gasoline and oil prices have affected the psychology of fishermen, leading to a limited number of boats sailing to sea.

“The price of gasoline and oil is constantly fluctuating, causing many people to have to pay an additional VND50-100 million for each trip. Not to mention other expenses such as food, water and wages for crew members increase due to the hike in gas prices. Although the price of oil has decreased by VND1,000/litre, it is still high compared to before, so it is difficult for fishermen to continue to head out to sea" said Mr. Nguyen Lai.

According to the Da Nang Fisheries Association, the price of gasoline and oil accounts for 40-50% of the total cost for each sea trip.

Lower oil prices help fishermen save on fuel costs. However, the price of oil is still dropping slightly, making it difficult for fishermen. Besides, the fishing ground is limited, the catches are getting less and less, and the income after each sea trip is not much, which makes it more difficult to find seafarers.

However, many fishermen still try to calculate the appropriate cost for each trip to go out to sea, catch seafood, and protect the country’s sovereignty over its sea and islands. It is also for the livelihood of thousands of people who have been attached to the seafaring profession for generations.

Reporting by VAN HOANG, GIAO THUY - Translating by M.DUNG