Fishermen in the eastern coastal area of Ho Chi Minh City have a bumper harvest of herring

In recent days, fishermen in the eastern area of Ho Chi Minh City are entering the herring fishing season. Every day, basket boat trips bringing fish-laden nets ashore create a bustling and exciting atmosphere in the Long Hai area.

From more than 3 am, fishermen went to sea, choosing areas to cast nets to catch schools of fish about 6-9km from the shore. Then, turning around at the fastest speed to reach the shore with bright smiles on their faces because they were caught at sea.

The vehicles were quickly brought to the sandy beach, the tarpaulins spread out began to catch a large amount of herring clinging to the nets pulled out by fishermen from basket boats.

After that, herring is washed clean of sand and then resold to traders at prices from 10,000 - 20,000 VND/kg, depending on the quality or output caught during the day. There are also traders who hire people to wash fish after buying back from fishermen, which also creates an income of about 100,000 to 250,000 VND per session for some coastal people.

Mr. Minh Tuan (a fisherman in Long Hai) said that this year, herring has higher output than last year. "On days when the sea is calm and there is a fishing trip, 400-500 kg of fish can be caught, even double in some days. Too much fish must be supported by other basket boats to bring it ashore," Mr. Tuan said.

Not only Long Hai, some other localities such as Phuoc Hai, Vung Tau... also have many fishermen who have a bumper harvest of herring. However, some fishermen said that herring fishing also has many difficulties, when fuel costs and expenses for sea trips are higher than before, and seafood prices do not fluctuate much. Not to mention the loss-making sea trips when output is not high.

Therefore, returning sea trips full of fish in nets bring special joy to fishermen. This helps fishermen have more expenses and motivation to continue sticking to the sea," a fisherman named Tung said.