Part-time fishing and tourism in Cu Lao Cham Island

Cu Lao Cham people both exploit seafood and serve tourism. Photo: QUOC HAI

Developing local specialties

Over the past years, Ms. Cao Thi Phuong’s family in Group 1, Bai Lang Village, Tan Hiep Commune has boldly borrowed capital, purchased machinery and equipment to process seafood. Gradually, the family’s products have been consumed strongly, especially “Cao Phuong dried squid”. The facility has created regular jobs for 4 workers with a salary of 3 million VND/person/month.

In addition to going to sea with his family to catch seafood, buying at the wharf when fishing boats return, and contracting with 25 other boat owners to supply fresh products, the family also maintains Gia Thanh homestay for accommodation.

With the price of squid ranging from 650,000 VND - 1.2 million VND/kg depending on the type of squid and size, the facility sells an average of 10kg of dried squid per day, bringing in more than 500 million VND in revenue each year. In addition to processing dried squid, the facility also processes fish cakes, braised squid, dried barracuda and other seafood dishes to increase revenue.

Ms. Cao Thi Phuong (right cover) introduces the product "Cao Phuong one-sun-dried squid". Photo: QUOC HAI

Not only focusing on quality, design, and ensuring food hygiene and safety, Ms. Cao Thi Phuong also attended courses on applying digital transformation in product development, promotion and trade of OCOP products... Cao Phuong's one-sun-dried squid products also participate in many fairs in and outside the province.

“With the help and support of the local government, by 2021 my dried squid product was recognized by the Provincial People's Committee as a 3-star OCOP product. The product is currently available at many stores on the island as well as supermarkets and stores in the provinces of Quang Nam, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City…” - Ms. Cao Thi Phuong shared.

Part-time job

Not only Ms. Cao Thi Phuong's family, in recent years, many households in Tan Hiep island commune have not only worked in seafood exploitation but also boldly invested in production and business, especially in the fields of trade, tourism and services.

In 2024, Cu Lao Cham will welcome more than 269 thousand visitors. Photo: QUOC HAI

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole commune had 43 households operating homestay businesses, 3 companies operating in the tourism - service sector and dozens of households trading, processing products... serving tourism on the island.

Mr. Nguyen Tho - a resident of Bai Huong village said: "Bai Huong people do tourism in the southern season, and go to the beach in the winter. My family both works on the beach and has a 4-room homestay. When the tourist season is over, we switch to working on the beach. I see that the economy here is stable."

In fact, Cu Lao Cham tourism has developed strongly in recent years, but the marine economy is still maintained by the people.

Ms. Pham Thi My Huong - Chairwoman of Tan Hiep Commune People's Committee said that thanks to the transformation of production models, diversification of occupations, especially in the field of fisheries exploitation and tourism services, the income of people on the island has significantly increased.

Since 2015, Tan Hiep island commune has had no more poor households, with average income per capita in 2024 reaching 67.2 million VND, an increase of more than 9 million VND compared to 2023. Tan Hiep commune was recognized by the Provincial People's Committee as meeting new rural standards in 2018 and advanced rural standards in 2021.

Ms. Pham Thi My Huong said: "Currently, fishermen continue to stick to the sea, exploiting seafood in accordance with the permitted occupations in the Cu Lao Cham Marine Reserve, so their income and basic life are guaranteed.

The commune also prioritizes the development of sustainable community-based tourism; is implementing promotion, promoting and focusing on infrastructure investment, resolving limitations in tourism development.

In 2024, the total number of visitors to Cu Lao Cham will be more than 269 thousand, an increase of more than 24.7 thousand compared to 2023; there will be 4.5 thousand overnight guests, of which more than 2.6 thousand are international visitors.

Meanwhile, the marine economy continues to play an important role in the local economic structure. The total output of seafood exploitation in 2024 is estimated at more than 827 tons, of which high-value seafood is estimated at 350 tons, contributing to the total income of Tan Hiep commune in 2024 of more than 125.8 billion VND.

“For many years, Tan Hiep island commune has escaped the situation of waiting for the city to support rice and necessities during the long stormy season. Currently, the locality is focusing resources on stimulating tourism and orienting the development of the marine economy so that people can have multiple jobs and develop sustainably,” said Mr. Nguyen The Hung, Vice Chairman of Hoi An City People’s Committee.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/kiem-nghe-thuy-san-va-du-lich-o-dao-cu-lao-cham-3149299.html