In the first days of the lunar new year 2025, fishermen across Da Nang are busy preparing necessities and fishing gear to be ready for their first offshore fishing trips of the year.

Fishing boats set sail with the hope of a year of favourable weather, and bumper catches of seafood, thereby creating a stable income. Photo: TRAN TRUC

As recorded at the Tho Quang Fishing Port and Wharf in recent days, many fishermen in the city and neighbouring localities have been busying checking machinery and purchasing fishing gear such as nets, ice, gasoline and other necessities in preparation for their first offshore fishing trips of the year.

The first post-Tet offshore fishing trips are very important for fishermen because this is the lucky start of the new lunar year, so everyone eagerly hopes to return with bumper catches.

Having just completed the procedures to prepare the ship to leave the port to go out to sea, Mr. Do Cong Truong, the owner of fishing boat 740CV DNa 91318TS from Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra District, and his crew members immediately rushed to transport necessities onto the ship.

In 2024, Mr. Truong made more than 15 fishing trips and all achieved high productivity. His boat specialises in fishing, mainly for hairtail, squid, tuna, mackerel, etc.

Before the Tet holiday, he and his crew members maintained the machinery and fishing gear. Although the preparations were completed, the fishermen still carefully checked everything before setting sail.

“Like every year, my first offshore trip usually starts after the 15^th day of the first lunar month. This is the “opening” trip for the fishing season of the year, so we hope to have bumper catches of fish and shrimp, thereby creating high income, and a happy and exciting atmosphere for the crew members. Hopefully everything will go smoothly so that the whole year will be lucky and fruitful” Mr. Truong shared.

Meanwhile, Mr. Le Dung, residing in Xuan Ha Ward, Thanh Khe District, the owner of the 840CV DNa 90098TS fishing boat, caught tuna and mackerel of all kinds at sea before Tet which were purchased by traders at a high price, so the crew on board had a full Tet. Mr. Dung specialises in mixed net fishing, so most of the fish are of high value. In addition, he is the leader of the Solidarity Group for Sea Production in Xuan Ha Ward.

Mr. Dung stated many members of the group have gone out to sea to conduct fishing activities at the beginning of the new lunar year. The remaining members are waiting for a good day to set off.

“Currently, the preparations have been completed, I am waiting for a “good day” to set off. During the fishing process at sea, the boats always coordinate and regularly inform each other about the situation of the fishing grounds. Not only exploiting seafood, creating income for the family, but more importantly, the sea trips will contribute to protecting and maintaining the sovereignty of the nation's sacred sea and islands" Mr. Dung said.

Right after Tet, Mr. Le Van Huong, the owner of the boat DNa 90838TS with a capacity of 400CV in Hoa Cuong Bac Ward, Hai Chau District, contacted his shipmates in the provinces to prepare for the first offshore trip of the lunar year.

Mr. Huong also said that currently, the cost of fuel is relatively stable and each trip requires 1,000-1,200 liters of oil and 15 tonnes of ice. With a cost of about VND 80 million, if fishing is effective, the total income will be VND 130 million for a total of 6 crew members.

“Last year, the weather was stable, so we made nearly 20 trips, each trip lasting 10-15 days. This year, not only me but all fishermen hope for a year of favourable weather and stable fishing grounds for exploitation. Before the trip, we will hold a ceremony to pray for a smooth departure so that the crew on board will have more income, and a year of bountiful harvest from the sea” Mr. Huong said.

As observed by our reporters, the boats preparing to set sail all comply with the installation of equipment to monitor fishing vessel journeys, ensuring the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Mr. Nguyen Lai, Head of the Management Board of the Tho Quang Fishing Port and Wharf, said that at this time, most fishermen are ready to set sail for the first fishing trip of the year.

Taking the advantage of the favourable weather condition, the number of boats setting out to sea has gradually increased since Jan. 6. The Management Board of the Tho Quang Fishing Port and Wharf has strengthened inspection and supervision work as well as actively mobilised fishermen and ship owners to strictly comply with regulations on combating IUU fishing.

For days when many ships are forecast to enter and exit the port, the Management Board increases its forces to support the handling of procedures for ships, and at the same time, requires fishing logistics facilities to fully prepare logistics necessities.

Reporting by TRAN TRUC - Translating by M.DUNG