As Tet is around the corner, hundreds of fishing boats are busy docking at the Tho Quang fishing wharf. Fishermen’s year-end trips to the sea achieved high yields, ensuring adequate supplies to the market during this Tet holiday.

Traders are on duty at the port to promptly send seafood to many places for consumption. Photo: THANH NHAN

According to records, the atmosphere at the Tho Quang fishing wharf at this time is quite bustling, with fishermen and traders rushing every time any boat arrives at the wharf.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nhac, residing in Quang Ngai Province, the owner of fishing boat QNg 97079 TS has just arrived ashore after a nearly 20-day sea voyage. On this trip, Mr. Nhac’s ship brought ashore 5 tonnes of flying fish, with an estimated value of VND 208 million. Minus expenses, he and his shipmates earned a profit of about VND 100 million.

“Last time, my ship made 9 sea voyages. This trip was also the last sea trip of the lunar new year. Although this time was not as good as the last two trips, compared to the overall average of the whole year, it is still considered to be relatively highly effective. Accordingly, 6 shipmates with each income of VND 7 million - VND 10 million is enough to celebrate Tet.", Mr. Nhac said.

Struggling to prepare for the Tet holiday trip, Mr. Nguyen Van Ta, residing in Binh Dinh Province, the owner of ship BD 95945 TS with a capacity of 460 CV said that his ship had just docked after a 15-day trip. With squid fishing, the boat has 6 crew members.

The last sea trip lasted more than half a month, Mr. Ta's ship collected 8 quintals of squid, 6 of which were fresh and the remaining two were dried. After deducting all expenses, Mr. Ta made a profit of VND80 million, and his shipmates each earned VND 7 million  - VND8 million. “The trip near Tet was highly effective, so everyone on the vessel was very happy.

After this trip, we will go back in about 3 days. It is expected that on this trip we will celebrate Tet at sea. I and my shipmates hope that the first sailing of the year will be smooth, starting a smooth sailing year. Shipmates have more income and improve their lives," Mr. Ta shared.

Meanwhile, according to small traders, people's demand for seafood consumption during Tet increased by about 20%, causing prices to increase. However, near the Lunar New Year of the Dragon 2024, the market has not had many major fluctuations in prices.

Ms. Ho Thi Thu, a small trader at the Tho Quang seafood wholesale market, said that till date consumption has increased by 10-15% compared to previous months. Taking advantage of the days leading up to Tet, every day she buys large quantities of seafood from ships docking and sells out very quickly.

Every year, she will sell ut until December 28 of the last month of the lunar year 2023, but this year she may sell for 1-2 more days because ships are expected to continue arriving at the fishing wharf.The prices of fish sold by Ms. Thu has increased slightly.

According to statistics from the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf Management Board, from January 1 to January 31, there were 925 ships docking at the fishing wharf.

In particular, the vessels mainly exploit seine, drag and fly nets. As reported at the Tho Quang Seafood Wholesale Market, all kinds of fish to serve Tet are quickly chosen by traders and distributed by distributors to markets for sale prior to Tet. The price of seafood also increased at VND 10,000-15,000 /kg, depending on the type.

According to Mr. Nguyen Lai, Head of Tho Quang Fishing Wharf Management, compared to previous years, this year's weather is quite favourable. Therefore, the seine and dragnet profession is considered by fishermen to be a "good season", especially in the two months leading up to Tet.

This year, fish consumption during Tet has increased by 5-10% from last year, helping to ensure the source of seafood for the market and it is forecast that in the coming days the supply will be even more abundant. At the same time, the market's consumption is stronger than at other times of the year, so prices of all types will increase slightly, but will not significantly.

Reporting by TRAN TRUC - THANH NHAN - Translating by A.THU, T.TUNG