In the final days of the 12th lunar month, vessels raced back to Sa Can Fish Port to anchor, each carrying about 40 to 45 crew members. The boats are fitted with bamboo drying racks so fishermen can dry squid at sea.
Each year, a squid-jigging boat typically makes three trips, mainly fishing in waters around the Spratly Islands. Each voyage lasts two to three months. This year, however, fishermen made four trips as squid prices climbed sharply.
The catch is largely reef squid, a squid species found in the highly saline waters of the Spratlys. The squid is known for its strong salty taste and slightly bitter flavour when dried, and is mainly exported to China for processing and seasoning into dried foods.
“In previous years we usually returned to shore to rest and prepare for Tet by late in the 11th lunar month,” fisherman Huynh Quang Anh said. “This year squid prices reached VND 250,000 to VND 300,000 per kilogram, so everyone tried to squeeze in one more trip.”
As boats docked, traders were already waiting to buy the squid. Prices this year are about VND 100,000 per kilogram higher than in previous years. The final trip of the year lasted around one month, with each fisherman bringing in about 200 to 300 kilograms of dried squid.
Pham Van Huong, who has spent 20 years in the trade, said he caught about 250 kilograms on the final trip, earning nearly VND 70 million. After expenses and the boat owner’s share, he took home around VND 40 million.
After selling his squid, Huong hurried to lower his basket boat into the water and dismantle the drying racks for repairs. “After the last trip of the year, we have to fix the basket boats and the bamboo racks so we’re ready for the new season after Tet,” he said.
The squid-jigging vessels are large, measuring 24 to 26 metres in length, and are equipped with dozens of bamboo racks designed for drying squid at sea. The racks are studded with protruding nails, allowing squid to be hung. While fishing, the racks are tied with ropes and extended along both sides of the boat to increase drying space.
In addition to the drying racks, each boat carries dozens of basket boats used for squid fishing. Each fisherman has one, meaning a single vessel carries around 40 to 45 basket boats. The baskets are woven from bamboo or made from composite materials.
Nguyen Tien Phao, deputy head of the economic division in Binh Son Commune, said the commune has more than 100 squid-jigging boats. The industry provides jobs for thousands of fishermen, with relatively high incomes.
“The fleet has now returned to shore so fishermen can celebrate Tet,” Phao said. “From around the 10th to the 16th day of the first lunar month, the squid-jigging boats will head back out to sea.”
