In the bitter cold of the intensifying cold front, fishermen in the coastal area of Giao Thuy district (Nam Dinh province) still persistently stick to the sea, go out to sea to exploit seafood, and supply goods for the end of the year.
According to Lao Dong Newspaper's reporter, the temperature in the estuary is only about 10 degrees Celsius, but hundreds of boats and fishermen have returned to Giao Hai fishing port with their holds full of seafood. Mr. Mai Van Dau (Giao Long commune, Giao Thuy district) shared: "The weather has been cold for many days, but our boats still go out to sea regularly, continuously catching mantis shrimp, shrimp and fish. The weather is cold, but because it is the end of the year, seafood prices are high, so we have to try to earn income. At this time, the boats mainly catch mantis shrimp (also known as mantis shrimp)".
Although it is hard and miserable, for coastal fishermen, they are very familiar with the job of going to sea even in cold weather. Quickly carrying the boxes of mantis shrimp to shore, Mr. Thanh said: "When going to sea in cold weather, we carefully prepare food and drinks. To keep our bodies warm, we drink warm water and wear raincoats and life jackets. Depending on the weather, we will fish in suitable places."
In Giao Hai commune, most fishermen expect their last trips to sea to bring in good fortune. According to local fishermen, going to sea this season is cold but getting good fortune from the sea makes everyone excited.
Seafood caught during the cold days helps fishermen earn more income, many types of seafood have doubled in price. Usually, after deducting expenses, fishermen earn 500,000 VND to 1 million VND for a trip to sea. Sometimes, when lucky, many boats earn 3-5 million VND/day.
When the ship arrives at Giao Hai fishing port, there will be traders lining up on the shore, each styrofoam box containing fresh mantis shrimp is sorted and sold right at the port. Ms. Bui Thi Bay (a trader in Nam Dinh City) said: "To have fresh seafood to sell every day, I go to Giao Hai fishing port every day to get goods. This cold season, the main product at Giao Hai fishing port is mantis shrimp. I'm used to buying here, so the ship owner just picks up whatever I can find, every day I get about 100kg to export to agents and retailers. Depending on the departure date of the ship and the type of mantis shrimp, the price will be different."
