Cua Sot Fish Port in Loc Ha District, Ha Tinh Province has remained quiet after the Lunar New Year holiday. Many fishermen haven't prepared for fishing trips due to continuous increases in fuel prices.
Many fishermen haven't prepared for fishing trips due to continuous increases in fuel prices.
A fisherman, Nguyen Van Hieu, is cleaning his boat after returning from a long trip. Hieu said that he and four crew members set off right after the Tet holiday and returned with a big catch. However, their earnings were not much after paying the petrol costs.
“I'm going to turn to short trips to reduce fuel costs," the fisherman said. "Our lives have become even more difficult as seafood prices are falling."
Another fisherman, Nguyen Thanh Chung, said that he had just sold his catch and earned VND 7 million (USD 304), but he had to pay VND5 million for fuel and food costs.
"I and four other crew members only earned VND 200,000 (USD 8.70) a day after the trip," Chung said. "Many fishermen are leaving their boats and finding other work."
In Thanh Hoa Province, Duong Van Le had four fishing boats but he has not made any trips after the Lunar New Year.
"I’ll have to pay an additional VND 70 million (USD 3,043) for a 12-17-day fishing trip due to rising fuel costs," Le said. "With falling seafood prices, I will only end up making a loss."
Director of Hoa Loc Fish Port Management Board, Le Van Thang, said that there were more than 200 boats at the port but few were operating.
"Before the recent petrol price hike, there were always at least half of the boats out fishing. But now most of the boats are staying anchored," he said.
Chairman of Thach Kim Communal People's Committee, Tran Dinh Hung, said that there were over 100 high-capacity fishing boats in the commune but only half were operating.
"Many boat owners are complaining about losses," the official said. "Fishing boat crew members are now only paid between VND 50,000-100,000 (USD 2.10 - 4.20) per day so most of them have turned to other jobs."