Tuna and mackerel are priced well
In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year, when many people are still sound asleep, Tho Quang fishing port (Son Tra ward, Da Nang city) has been lit up, bustling with engine sounds, and calls for each other in the early morning mist. The buying and selling atmosphere takes place bustlingly from late evening to early morning, signaling a bumper and busiest sea season of the year.
From 7 pm, each fishing boat lined up to dock after many days of going to sea. On the deck, fresh fish had just been transferred to the wharf amidst the joyful laughter of fishermen.
Mr. Huynh Thach, owner of a steel-hulled fishing vessel 822CV from Quang Ngai, said that his last sea trip of the year mainly caught tuna and mackerel.
Tuna is currently sold at about 100,000 VND/kg, mackerel is 130,000 VND/kg. The closer to Tet, the higher the price. Normally, tuna is only about 50,000 - 70,000 VND/kg," Mr. Thach said.
According to Mr. Thach, the time near Tet is the most anticipated time of the year for fishermen because seafood consumption is strong and selling prices are much higher than usual. There are large tuna, weighing about 10kg, sold for nearly 1 million VND each.
Mr. Thach said that working until about the 26th of the lunar month is for the ship to rest for Tet because then the purchase volume gradually decreases. Selling at a good price this time, everyone is excited.
In the cargo handling area, traders and small traders from markets and restaurants gathered crowdedly. People sorting fish, people weighing goods, people bargaining, all took place urgently but rhythmically.
Mr. Le Van Dung (Son Tra ward, Da Nang city) said that these days, most ships returning to the port have large fish output.
Thu fish is currently priced from 250,000 - 270,000 VND/kg. There are many goods, so we have to work continuously until around December 27-28 of the lunar calendar before Tet holiday," Mr. Dung said.
Trading activities at the port usually start from about 6 pm the previous day and last until 5-6 am the next morning, depending on the time the ship docks and the needs of the buyer.
To promptly supply the Tet market, many traders stay up all night waiting for goods, then quickly transport them to traditional markets, supermarkets and restaurants in the city.
Sticking to the sea to make ends meet
Not only bustling with buying and selling, the days leading up to Tet at Tho Quang fishing port are also the time to close the long-day livelihood journey at sea for fishermen. After many months of drifting, the ships take advantage of the last sea trip of the year to have more income to cover living expenses and prepare for Tet.
Mr. Nguyen Van Da, a crew member from Quang Ngai, said that he followed the ship from January and only returned home when the last sea trip of the year ended.
According to Mr. Da, this year the output is quite good, seafood prices increased near Tet, so the income of crew members has also improved. After deducting expenses, each person is divided several hundred million VND.
Going to sea all year, away from family, just hoping for a good harvest at the end of the year, good prices to have money to take care of my wife and children. Having money to repair the house, buy furniture, and take care of children's education is already happy," Mr. Da shared.
Not only is it a trading place, the fishing port in the days leading up to Tet also carries a bustling, busy but hopeful atmosphere. Favorable year-end sea trips, high seafood prices help fishermen have more income, cover expenses and prepare for a more fulfilling Tet.
Amidst the yellow lights shining down on the water and the salty smell of the sea, the pace of life in the fishing port is still bustling until dawn. When trucks full of seafood leave the wharf and spread everywhere, a new day begins again, carrying the expectation of a warm and prosperous spring for the coastal people.
Images recorded at Tho Quang fishing port:
