In recent days, nearly 70 fishermen in Bao Ninh commune have complained that they could not submit documents to receive fuel costs, according to Decision 48 of the Prime Minister on a number of policies to encourage and support exploitation, aquaculture and seafood exploitation services in offshore areas.
Lost connection to trip monitoring
Mr. Nguyen The Huy (42 years old, in My Canh village, Bao Ninh commune) is struggling because he cannot submit documents to receive fuel expenses.
Mr. Huy said that his ship, number QB 91357-TS, will depart for offshore fishing in early April 2024.
“On April 15, while in Vietnamese waters, our ship lost connection to the voyage monitoring device. At that time, we had to use the communication device to send the voyage back to the mainland, but sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t,” said Mr. Huy.
On April 23, the ship docked at the port. Mr. Huy went to the Quang Binh Province Fisheries Branch to submit an application to receive 75 million VND in fuel support according to Decision 48, but the application was returned due to the loss of connection to monitor the journey for more than 6 hours.
“We understand that the loss of connection to the journey monitoring system is not the fishermen’s fault. This is a network operator problem,” Huy informed.
According to Mr. Huy, not being able to submit documents to receive fuel costs directly affects the boat owner. He had to borrow money to share the above 75 million VND with his fellow boatmen.
Similar to Mr. Huy, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tien (39 years old, My Canh village) also fell into the situation of not being able to submit documents to receive fuel costs. Mr. Huy's ship, registration number QB 91302TS, 477CV, left port to exploit the offshore area on April 11, and on April 15, lost connection to the journey monitoring device.
“The fuel cost of 75 million for the trip is a lifeline for the people, helping fishermen continue to stay at sea. We hope that the government, the Fisheries Branch, and the network operators in Quang Binh province will work together to help the fishermen,” said Mr. Tien.
Proposed solutions for fishermen to go offshore
According to documents provided by the people, the meeting of some fishermen in Bao Ninh commune and the Quang Binh Network Business Center clearly stated that the loss of connection occurred from 11:00 p.m. on April 15, 2024, due to a problem with the Thuraya 3 satellite (This satellite was contracted by the network operator with Thuraya Company - a foreign partner).
The households requested the network operator to be responsible and give their opinions to the Provincial People's Committee to resolve and support according to Decision 48 of the Prime Minister.
Mr. Dao Xuan Vinh - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Bao Ninh commune said that the locality has 495 fishing vessels. Of which, 187 offshore fishing vessels are supported under Decision 48. The incident of losing connection to the journey monitoring device on April 15 affected 96 fishing vessels in the area. Of which, 67 fishing vessels are supported with fuel under Decision 48.
“Each offshore fishing boat receives fuel costs from the government for four trips a year. Depending on the length of the boat, the amount of support ranges from 75-100 million VND,” said Mr. Vinh.
Mr. Vinh informed that the Bao Ninh Commune Farmers' Association and fishermen have worked directly with the network operator and the Aquatic Branch, but so far there have been no results.
Mr. Le Ngoc Linh - Director of Quang Binh Fisheries Branch said that on April 15, the province had more than 700 fishing boats affected by the loss of connection to route monitoring. These boats were not eligible for fuel cost support because they lost connection to route monitoring for more than 6 hours according to regulations.
"We have proposed the above incident to the Provincial People's Committee, the province has sent a document to the network operator requesting a solution from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, but so far there has been no response from the ministry," said Mr. Linh.
