The weather in Ninh Thuan in the days leading up to Tet is rough, with big waves and strong winds, forcing boats to stay ashore to dry in the sun. Seafood is therefore becoming scarce, and prices during Tet will increase even more.
Fishermen are "afraid" to go offshore because of complicated weather conditions and many potential risks - Photo: AN ANH
In previous years, the Tet atmosphere at fishing ports in Ninh Thuan was bustling, but this year it is quiet. Hundreds of fishing boats are stranded on shore due to rough seas.
Ninh Thuan fishermen worry about losing Tet
Fisherman Vo Hong Ly, owner of fishing boat NT90834TS, is worried about missing Tet because he has not been able to go to sea for the past 2 months - Photo: AN ANH
On January 17, at Dong Hai fishing port in Phan Rang - Thap Cham city (Ninh Thuan), the trading scene was quite deserted and quiet. Below the port, hundreds of boats were lined up on the shore because they could not go out to sea.
Fisherman Vo Hong Ly, owner of fishing boat NT90834, in Dong Hai ward (Phan Rang - Thap Cham city), said that for more than 2 months now, there have been continuous big waves and strong winds, so fishermen are very "afraid" to go out to sea. Currently, his family's 714CV fishing boat, which specializes in offshore fishing, has been on shore for 2 months.
According to Mr. Ly, usually November 18 to 19 (lunar calendar) is a favorable time for fishing boats to go out to sea to earn income for Tet. But this year the weather has been unpredictable so fishermen have no time to react.
"The weather this year is so complicated. I've been waiting for more than 2 months now without being able to go on a single trip. I'm sure I won't be able to enjoy Tet this year because I have no income," fisherman Ly said with a sigh.
The number of ships not going to sea is packed at the fishing port - Photo: AN ANH
Fisherman Nguyen Hoa, owner of fishing boat NT91186 in Dong Hai ward (Phan Rang - Thap Cham city), said that even though they do not go to sea, to keep their crew members, fishing boat owners like him have to advance workers from 500,000 to 1 million VND to prepare for Tet.
"If fishermen don't go to sea, their income will decrease significantly. For more than two months now, we have only been looking at the sea and not daring to go out to sea," said Mr. Hoa.
According to the Ninh Thuan Fisheries Department, the province currently has 2,453 fishing boats of 6m or more. Of these, in Dong Hai fishing village (Phan Rang - Thap Cham city), there are more than 560 boats, mainly large fishing boats specializing in offshore fishing.
Mr. Pham Luu Hien, head of the Dong Hai Fishing Port Management Board, said that out of a total of 560 fishing vessels, nearly 90% of them are currently docked.
"The reason is that it is the winter season and the cold air is increasing, causing big waves and strong winds, making the sea rough for a long time. Not being able to go to sea is causing many difficulties for fishermen as Tet is approaching," said Mr. Hien.
Seafood is scarce, prices increase by 30 - 50%
Seafood prices are expected to continue to increase due to scarce supply, while Tet demand increases sharply - Photo: AN ANH
Many traders said that because the boats did not go out to sea, the fishing output had decreased significantly. Trading activities at the port were also quieter than usual. Seafood was mainly frozen goods sold by warehouse owners to serve the market.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Trinh, a trader at Dong Hai fishing port, said that seafood is scarce while demand increases dramatically near Tet, so it becomes scarce, so prices have also increased somewhat.
Currently, the selling prices of fish, shrimp and squid have increased by 30 - 50%. Striped tuna is 40,000 - 80,000 VND/kg, swordfish is 70,000 - 120,000 VND/kg. Squid is 120,000 - 250,000 VND/kg, cuttlefish is 130,000 - 260,000 VND/kg, shrimp is 250,000 - 350,000 VND/kg, crab is 150,000 - 330,000 VND/kg depending on the type.
"The price is so high but there is no product to sell. It is expected that the closer to Tet At Ty, the higher the demand will be. Hopefully in the coming days the weather will be favorable so that fishermen can have a happy Tet," said Ms. Trinh.
Seafood prices are expected to continue to increase due to scarce supply, while Tet demand increases sharply - Photo: AN ANH
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tau-ca-dong-loat-nam-bo-vi-gio-lon-ngu-dan-ninh-thuan-lo-mat-tet-20250117162639487.htm
Comment (0)