In order to concretize the national government’s viewpoints and orientations, Da Nang focuses on implementing the goal of developing effective and sustainable fisheries exploitation. In particular, implementing many policies, mechanisms, policies, and support solutions, suitable for investment conditions to develop fisheries infrastructure such as building new fishing vessels, supporting training to convert fishing occupations, applying advanced technology in exploitation, preservation, and the processing of seafood, and equipping modern equipment as well. This helps fishermen have the motivation to head out to sea to develop the economy and protect the sovereignty of the sacred sea and islands of the fatherland.

Border guards present a national flag to a fisherman in Da Nang. Photo: HUYNH VU

According to fisherman Le Huu Thao, 55, Thanh Khe Dong Ward, Thanh Khe District, Da Nang, in 2012, when building a new 450CV boat, he was happy to receive VND 400 million from the State to cover the building cost. Later, he decided to conduct his fishing profession in the open sea and increased the vessel’s engine capacity to 885CV. Thanks to that, the family economy improved as compared to before and helped many crew members gain stable jobs.

“Not only receiving support from Decision No. 48/2010/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister, we also received financial support to cover the cost of building new boats with modern equipment such as solar batteries, journey monitoring devices, 90% hull insurance and 100% crew insurance.

These supportive solutions help save on investment costs for the ship and, more importantly, feel secure going offshore, which is a living milestone to preserve the sovereignty of the sea and islands,” said fisherman Thao.

Similarly, fisherman Dang Van Cu, 60, from Nai Hien Dong Ward, Son Tra District said that the support from the State is a great spiritual sharing so that fishermen feel not alone on their journey to stick to the sea.

In addition, the support helps fishermen gain more confidence in going offshore, protecting long-term marine resources and raising awareness of operating in the eligible places. According to the Head of the Thanh Khe District Economic Department Vo Kim Tu, the district has 113 fishing boats, with a total workforce of 942 people.

In recent years, the district has implemented a policy of supporting offshore fishing to help fishermen feel secure during their fishing trips. In addition, the district has built 21 new fishing boats that were equipped with State-funded solar battery aquaculture models and identification machines.

At the same time, from the support fund of the Agricultural and Forestry Extension Centre, every year, the district has built 2 model tunnels to preserve exploited products, 9 identification machines and 7 solar batteries for fishermen. At the same time, the district supports fishermen in converting traditional fishing models to modern ones in the direction of quality and safety.

Head of the Son Tra District Economic Department Nguyen Thi Kim Minh said that policies to support offshore fishing have contributed greatly to solving difficulties facing fishermen in covering the costs of production and fishing activities. In the coming time, the Department will continue to support, guide and carry out the publicity of laws, so that fishermen can promptly grasp policies and ensure their rights.

According to Director of the Fisheries Sub-Department Luu Quang Khanh, in addition to support policies such as Decision No. 48/2010/QD-TTg, Decree No. 67/2014/ND-CP and Decision No. 118/2007/QD-TTg, the city has promptly issued specific support policies such as building new offshore fishing vessels, offering insurance for crew, the hull and fishing equipment, product preservation and voyage monitoring devices.

To date, the city has 148 newly-built offshore fishing vessels, and 584 ones have been installed with voyage monitoring equipment and first-year subscription fees, 666 supported in purchasing hull insurance and four equipped with machinery and equipment used in preserving products in seafood exploitation.

At the same time, the structure of the city’s vessels is changing in the direction of reducing the number of vessels majoring in shore fishing and increasing the number of fishing vessels operating in offshore waters, thereby contributing to accelerating the implementation of the goal of developing local fisheries.

“In addition, the structure of fishing occupations has also changed, reducing prohibited fishing occupations that destroy aquatic resources (double and single trawls), promoting offshore fishing that are economically efficient and do not cause depletion of aquatic resources. At the same time, the fisheries extension work focuses on implementing mechanisation and applying science and technology to help fishermen improve production efficiency, ensuring supporting 747 long-range communication devices and equip three shore stations to serve the building of a marine communication network," said Mr. Khanh.

Reporting by HUYNH VU - Translating by A.THU