Restructuring of fishing fleet

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Aiming at sustainable and high-economic-value seafood exploitation, in recent years, Thanh Hoa province has been gradually restructuring its seafood exploitation fleet. In particular, the province has directed localities to focus on reducing the number of fishing vessels operating in coastal areas, increasing the number of fishing vessels operating in offshore and offshore areas, especially encouraging fishermen to build large-capacity vessels to gradually conquer large fishing grounds, ensuring the provisions of the law.

Ships anchored at Lach Bang Port, Hai Binh Ward.

According to statistics from the Department of Agriculture and Environment, by mid-August 2025, the whole province had 6,552 fishing vessels, of which 3,512 rafts and vehicles were less than 6m long; 1,169 vessels were 6-12m long; 808 vessels were 12-15m long; only 1,063 fishing vessels were 15m or longer.... The large number of small vessels operating inshore (over 70%) has made management and supervision very difficult. Most of the small vessels are equipped with outdated and rudimentary equipment, fishing gear does not meet regulations, overexploitation has depleted aquatic resources, seriously affecting the natural ecosystem.

To develop sustainable fisheries, from 2021 to now, Thanh Hoa province has supported 24 fishing vessel owners who do not meet safety conditions to register, re-register and carry out the dissolution, with an amount of 1.99 billion VND. At the same time, 876 fishing vessels were supported to install voyage monitoring equipment, with a total cost of 8.75 billion VND; 4.504 billion VND to support 1,626 fishing vessels with subscription fees for voyage monitoring equipment services; 35 offshore fishing vessels were supported to upgrade and renew seafood storage tanks, with a total cost of 4.8 billion VND... The above support policies have contributed to consolidating and perfecting the offshore fishing fleet, to ensure that this fleet is safe, fully equipped, improves exploitation productivity, preserves products well, increases economic efficiency, and contributes to protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

As one of the fishermen in Sam Son ward with decades of experience in the sea, Mr. Nguyen Van Son, owner of ship TH-92491, clearly understands that he must change traditional fishing methods and boldly invest in equipment to meet the conditions for long offshore trips to bring high economic efficiency.

"In the past, fishermen went to sea based on experience, but in recent years, going offshore has been done with modern machinery, especially fish finders and equipment such as long-range machines, hydraulic winches, LED lighting systems, fish storage tanks... The investment not only brings clear economic efficiency but also protects and aims for a sustainable fishing industry with high economic value," said Mr. Son.

In fact, restructuring the fleet appropriately is necessary if we want to develop the seafood exploitation industry sustainably. Decision No. 208/QD-TTg dated March 10, 2023 of the Prime Minister approving the Project on converting a number of seafood exploitation occupations that affect resources and the ecological environment, also sets a target of converting about 2,000 fishing vessels operating in coastal and offshore waters that are currently exploiting seafood by 2025. According to Decision No. 1037/QD-BNN dated April 11, 2024 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the announcement and adjustment of the quota of offshore fishing licenses for provinces and centrally run cities, Thanh Hoa province was assigned 1,114 offshore quota vessels. With the determination to build a sustainable fishing industry, Thanh Hoa province has actively restructured its fleet by increasing the number of large-capacity vessels and gradually reducing the number of vessels operating in offshore and coastal areas. At the same time, through the implementation of support programs and policies from the Central and the province, the province's offshore fishing fleet has been gradually modernized and its structure has been reasonably transformed.

According to the agricultural sector's estimate, with support for the conversion and dismantling of fishing vessels, the number of fishing vessels in the province by the end of 2025 is estimated to reach 6,200, a decrease of 883 compared to 2020; of which, vessels with a length of 15m or more are 1,114, a decrease of 169 compared to 2020, reaching 100% of the assigned plan. Along with that, the aquatic product output in 2025 is estimated to reach 216,000 tons, an increase of 12% compared to 2020; of which, offshore fishing output is 88,000 tons, an increase of 1,788 tons compared to 2020.

The initial effectiveness of the task of restructuring the fishing fleet has created a clear change with the development of the fisheries industry. However, the restructuring needs a methodical roadmap to avoid affecting the livelihoods of fishermen. Therefore, all levels, sectors and specialized agencies need to focus on reviewing the needs of fishermen. At the same time, build a new roadmap and policies so that inefficient fishing vessels have the conditions and motivation to change jobs.

Article and photos: Le Hoa

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/tai-co-cau-doi-tau-khai-thac-hai-san-259088.htm