The Government’s support policies have helped developoffshore fishing, ease exploitation pressure on inshore waters andcreate more jobs, thus improving fishermen’s livelihoods, said Pham NgocTuan – Deputy Director of the Aquatic Resources Exploitation andProtection Department under the Directorate of Fisheries.
Policy incentives have also encouraged fishermen in Ba Ria-Vung Tau,Kien Giang and Ca Mau to use advanced preservation techniques to reducepost-fishing losses and ensure product quality, he added.
Fourteen of the 28 coastal provinces and cities across Vietnam havebuilt communication stations on the mainland and equipped fishing boatswith communication systems.
They have installed7,000 single-sideband equipment pieces on vessels to update workers onweather patterns. Meanwhile, 3,000 fishing boats have also beensupported with satellite tracking devices under MOVIMAR, a cooperationproject with France, the forum heard.
Participantsalso highlighted the cage trap developed by the Institute for MarineScience and Fishing Technology of Nha Trang University. The invention,transferred to fishermen in Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri,Quang Ngai and Khanh Hoa provinces, is said to be able to catch moreseafood and is environmentally friendly.
However,offshore fishing in Vietnam still faces numerous difficulties, such asthe low mechanisation level, said Deputy Head of the Kien GiangUniversity Duong Minh Chuan.
He continued to saythat fishermen work based on their experiences and are not willing orable to apply science-technology advances. Meanwhile, their seafoodquality is deemed low due to old-fashioned preservation methods,especially keeping products in ice or salt.
Crewmembers have not received appropriate training to operate large andmodern vessels, he noted, adding the underdeveloped fishery logisticsservices.
At the forum, Deputy Minister ofAgriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam said the ministry hasdevised solutions to existing problems such as asking the Government foraid in procuring high frequency radio devices, continuing to supportthe building of high-capacity ships, and promoting technologyapplication in fishing and preservation activities.-VNA