In recent days, boats full of fish have docked at Da Nang’s Tho Quang Fishing Port. All fishermen and their families are hoping for a successful and prosperous year at sea.

Fishermen's joy at bumper catches of fish

According to the Management Board of the Tho Quang Fishing Port and Wharf, the fishing port welcomes a daily average of 20-30 boats.

Mr. Le Van Thien, born in 1975, the owner of fishing vessel DNa-90888, said after a long offshore fishing trip at the beginning of the lunar year, fishermen have encountered many high-value seafood streams, bringing them a good income. In addition, the Border Guard has also disseminated regulations on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and maintaining maritime communication connections.

“I feel very secure every time I go out to sea because I am always accompanied by soldiers. I am so proud to contribute my efforts with the border guard force to protecting the sovereignty of Viet Nam's sea and islands", he added.

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 boats full of fish and shrimp. Many fishermen have invested in more modern equipment such as GPS and scanners to exploit fishing grounds more effectively. At the same time, they support each other to handle problems at sea.

Recently, the Border Guard Command of the Da Nang Port in Thuan Phuoc Ward, Hai Chau District, has held a get-together for more than 150 fishermen in the locality. At the event, the fishermen have been informed and disseminated about knowledge and issues on maritime safety, and the need to prepare in advance to ensure the safety of people and boats at sea. Included have been the contents related to preventing IUU fishing.

Fishermen in Son Tra District received national flags and life jackets

Captain Mai Thanh Tai, Political Commissar of the Border Guard Station of the Song Han Port under the Border Guard of Da Nang Port pointed out some violations facing local fishermen such as removing the journey monitoring device on the fishing vessel without the supervision of the supplier or installer; not writing the fishing vessel registration number as prescribed; the fishing vessel technical safety certificate being expired; and not purchasing insurance for crew members working on the fishing vessel.

Therefore, the unit continues to coordinate with local authorities and functional forces to promote propaganda and education for officials and fishermen on IUU fishing regulations when operating at sea, he emphasised.

Captain Mai Thanh Tai said that in coordination with the locality, 116 gifts, totaling VND 116 million, were presented to fishermen, aimed at encouraging them to continue working at sea, and keeping resolute and persistent in fighting to firmly protect the national sovereignty over sea and islands. Each gift consisted of VND 500,000 in cash, a round buoy and a buoy-tying rope.

According to Captain Mai Thanh Tai, in recent times, fishermen have taken the initiative to improve exploitation and preservation technology on ships, enhance the skills of crew members, and link up with production teams at sea to shorten the time of sea trips. Thanks to that, exploitation and fishing have been more effective.

Mr. Nguyen Lai, Head of the Tho Quang Fishing Port and Wharf Management Board, affirmed that the unit always supports fishermen to dock and depart smoothly, and at the same time arranges enough forces to handle procedures for ships to leave the port as quickly as possible.

Reporting by TRUNG HUU - Translating by M.DUNG, T.TUNG