While they are at sea working, fishermen need to keep in contact with aquatic resources development and protection bureaus, border guard stations, naval and sea police forces so they can receive timely assistance if needed, said Chairman of the Vietnam Fisheries Association Nguyen Viet Thang.

Fishing boats anchor at Xom Bong wharf in the coastal city of Nha Trang, in the central province of Khanh Hoa (photo: TT)

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What is the point of view of the Vietnam Fisheries Association about China’s ban on Vietnamese fishermen catching fish in waters belonging to Vietnam?

The Vietnam Fisheries Association sent a document to the government about China’s ban on fishermen catching fish in the northern fishing ground, which belongs to Vietnam.

We also asked the government to protest this ban and make a stronger statement so fishermen would feel secure. The association has also instructed local branches to assist fishermen in catching fish in the Vietnamese sea area to ensure their incomes and to stress Vietnam’s sovereignty.

The association has asked local governments to group fishermen together so they can help each other in catching. During the catching process, fishermen need to keep in contact with aquatic resources development and protection bureaus, border guard stations, the naval and sea police forces to receive timely assistance.

Relevant agencies are maintaining their protection of Vietnamese ships in Vietnamese waters so fishermen can keep their minds at rest.

Do you have statistics about losses to Vietnamese fishermen caused by China’s ban?

Some fishermen were afraid of the ban so they didn’t go to sea, resulting in some losses. However, we don’t have statistics about the losses yet.

The Vietnam Fisheries Association told local branches to encourage fishermen to continue their job because this is the harvest time in the northern fishing ground. The association has continued asking the government to maintain its oil subsidy for off-shore fishing activities.

Is the northern fishing ground very important for Vietnam’s fishing industry?

This is a traditional and very significant fishing ground for fishermen in the central region of Vietnam. The two major products from this area are cuttlefish and ocean tuna. Tuna output from this fishing ground accounts for 60-70 percent of the country’s total output.

This is not the first time China has released such a ban, is it?

Several years ago, China released such a ban but Vietnamese fishermen still did their job. At the same time, Vietnam protested China’s violation of Vietnamese sovereignty.

VietNamNet/NLD