Going offshore, maintaining fishing grounds

In response to China's unilateral announcement of a fishing ban at sea from 12:00 on May 1, 2024 to 12:00 on August 16, 2024 in the sea area from 120 00' North latitude to 260 30' latitude, including the Gulf of Tonkin, along with fishermen across the country, since the beginning of May, Quang Tri fishermen have continued to go out to sea to exploit seafood normally.

Fishermen unload seafood at Cua Viet fishing port after a long fishing trip at traditional fishing grounds - Photo: LA

Steadfastly reaching out to sea

Cua Viet fishing port has been bustling with fishermen's boats coming in and out to sell seafood, refuel, ice, and necessities to prepare for the next long trip. Mixed in with the fishermen's stories is the fact that every year China unilaterally announces a fishing ban at sea, including areas under Vietnam's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.

While rushing with his crew to load more ice to prepare for a long sea trip, fisherman Truong Thanh Dinh in Gio Viet commune, Gio Linh district, captain of the QT 99001TS fishing boat, 16.75 m long, 430 CV capacity, said that the fishing grounds of Hoang Sa, Truong Sa or the Gulf of Tonkin are all traditional fishing grounds for generations of Quang Tri fishermen. This time is also the main fishing season for the South, the main fishing season for fishermen with tuna, mackerel... so his fishing boats in particular and those in the province in general are all going offshore to catch seafood and contribute to protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

“China’s ban on the sea is their business, we are not afraid of that unreasonable ban. Wherever the territorial waters of the Fatherland are, our fishermen will fish. Each ship and each fisherman present in the traditional fishing grounds under Vietnam’s sovereignty are milestones contributing to firmly protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland,” Mr. Hop shared.

Not far away, while tying the national flag tightly to the roof of the ship, Mr. Luong Van Hop in Cua Viet town, Gio Linh district, captain of fishing boat number QT 99722TS, nearly 22 m long, with a capacity of more than 900 CV, said that China's fishing ban notice for fishermen in Quang Tri in particular and the whole country in general is worthless.

He and his fellow fishermen still go out to sea to catch seafood as usual in their traditional fishing grounds. “This time, my fishing boat is still operating in the Hoang Sa fishing grounds. For generations, Quang Tri fishermen have been fishing there, so there is no reason to leave the sea now. In addition to the fishing boats in the team, there are also ships of the Vietnamese maritime law enforcement force that always stand side by side with the fishermen to support them in case of any unexpected events,” said Mr. Dinh.

Talking to us via the ICOM long-range communication device, fisherman Bui Khanh Quoc in Cua Viet town, captain of the fishing boat QT 93679TS, 17.6 m long, 725 CV capacity, said that his fishing boat is currently operating in the Bach Long Vi fishing ground. When asked about China's fishing ban announcement, Mr. Quoc said that every year, around this time, China announces a ban on the sea, but his fishing boat still goes out to sea to fish.

“Offshore fishing boats today are fully equipped with journey monitoring systems and GPS devices, which clearly show which sea areas belong to Vietnam’s sovereignty, so we fishermen are not afraid of China’s unreasonable sea ban,” said Mr. Quoc.

Accompanying fishermen

Gio Viet Commune People's Committee Chairman Le Anh Hung said that the commune currently has 128 mechanical fishing vessels and fishing logistics services, including 40 fishing vessels with a length of 15 m or more fishing offshore with a total capacity of 20,460 CV. In response to China's announcement of a temporary suspension of fishing, the locality promptly notified fishermen participating in fishing at sea and affirmed that this announcement is invalid. Encourage fishermen to stay at sea and produce normally within Vietnam's waters; instruct fishermen to fish in groups, teams, and groups when going to work to support each other at sea.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Huu Vinh, the province currently has more than 190 offshore fishing vessels operating in the Hoang Sa, Truong Sa and Bac Bo Gulf fishing grounds. In addition, there are hundreds of fishing vessels from other provinces fishing in these fishing grounds that regularly dock at fishing ports in the province to sell seafood and refuel and resupply.

Mr. Vinh said that in response to China's unilateral announcement of a temporary suspension of fishing at sea to impose regulations on fishing holidays in the East Sea, so that fishermen can rest assured to stay at sea to produce and ensure safety during their activities at sea, the Provincial People's Committee has issued a document requesting departments, branches, sectors and People's Committees of coastal districts to urgently notify fishermen participating in fishing activities at sea, and at the same time affirming that China's unilateral suspension of fishing in the sea area with the above-mentioned scope has violated Vietnam's sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the East Sea and is invalid.

Strengthen the monitoring of fishing activities of fishing vessels in the sea through the fishing vessel monitoring system, and take measures to warn fishing vessels when necessary. Assign the Provincial Border Guard Command to direct coastal border stations to strictly manage the entry and exit of fishing vessels operating during this time.

The People's Committees of coastal districts organize dissemination and guidance for fishermen about the sovereignty of Vietnam's seas so that fishermen can feel secure in participating in seafood exploitation; encourage fishermen to stay at sea to produce normally within Vietnam's seas and instruct fishermen to fish in groups, teams, and groups when going to produce to support each other at sea; "Currently, fishing boats of fishermen inside and outside the province are still going out to sea to catch seafood normally," said Mr. Vinh.

Le An

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/vuon-khoi-bam-bien-giu-vung-ngu-truong-187363.htm