Vietnam catch increases of up to seven times
Michael Mackey reports that catch increases of up to seven times have been reported by Vietnam's fishing vessels since the introduction of three different types of nets with some financial help from local authorities late last year.
The three are speciality trawling for pomfret, longline fishing and combination trawling said Ngo Thi Kim Cuong of the Da Nang's Agro-Forestry and Aquatic Extension Centre told Vietnam News.
“Each of these three methods is suitable for vessels of varying capacity which means different nets,” Mr Cuong explained.
Longline fishing – a long mainline carrying baited hooks attached on "snoods" – is usually for large-capacity sea-going vessels and is often used to support traditional trawling.
"The financial aid I received was used to buy bait and have specific type of snoods made. The result was higher efficiency," said fisherman Le Van Xin who was provided with US$2,900.
Another technique is special trawling to catch pomfret reportedly abundant along the coast and realising about VND250,000-280,000 (US$14) per kilogramme when exported.
"The key is a fishing net suitable for the (pomfret)," says Mr Cuong. "Each section is 26m by 70m with a mesh of 10.5cm."
Combination trawling has only been given limited tests so far as its cost is high. “Although the initial investment is heavy, in the long run, it will be cost effective due to low fuel and maintenance costs and the harvesting of high-quality fish which does not need too many people to work," Le Van Nhan who invested over US$30,000 in it told Vietnam News.
