Phan Thanh An owns an offshore fishing vessel from Quang Tri's Vinh Linh District. Previously, it made 5 to 6 monthly trips, each requiring 15 to 16 crew members. But, since the start of the year, a labour crunch has kept the boat mainly docked.
Many other Gio Linh District fishing boats face the same plight. From Trung Giang Commune, Ho Van Hoan borrowed nearly VND20 billion (USD789,000) from banks to build a fishing vessel.
"The crew shortage has kept my vessel inactive most of the time," Hoan said. "We're burdened with heavy debt, and without going to sea, we can't repay it."
Offshore and nearshore fishing operations demand large crews, and many vessels are now struggling due to the worker shortage.
Ho Xuan Thuy, Vice Chairman of Gio Hai Commune, said the local fishing workforce declines when fishermen head overseas for jobs or move to southern provinces.
"Fishing income in the area is unstable and low, leading to a shrinking workforce," Thuy said. "We're working to raise awareness and propose appropriate policies to retain local fishermen."
Quang Tri has around 2,500 fishing vessels, but only about 100 boats measuring 12 to 15 metres have enough crew.
According to Quang Tri authorities, the province needs around 6,000 people to sustain offshore fishing operations, but the current workforce falls far short. This has also affected the supply of raw materials for the seafood processing industry, triggering a chain reaction that affects the entire coastal economy.
In the coming years, the Quang Tri agricultural sector will work closely with coastal localities. It will concentrate on developing vocational training programmes for fishermen and promoting the application of scientific and technological advancements to the sector.
