This trip was one of the urgent actions taken to share the difficulties faced by the fishermen, help them recover from the damage caused by the typhoon, and rebuild their lives. At the same time, the activities underscored the importance of maintaining fishing operations amid the growing challenges posed by the weather and economic conditions.
Typhoon No. 3, commonly referred to as typhoon Yagi, made landfall in the coastal provinces of Central Vietnam in early September 2024, causing widespread and serious damage to fishermen. Among the most affected areas were Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces, where many fishing vessels were severely damaged, with some even sinking completely. In addition to the material losses, the typhoon also claimed the lives of several fishermen, leaving many families in mourning and financial hardship.
In Quynh Long Commune, Quynh Luu District, Nghe An Province, one of the fishermen who suffered the greatest loss was Mr. Tran Van Chinh, owner of the fishing boat NA 99977 TS. His boat, which had been newly built under Decree 67 with a total value of up to 10 billion VND, was completely destroyed after catching fire and sinking during typhoon Yagi. Mr. Chinh recounted that the incident occurred in the early morning of September 9, while his vessel was operating in the waters between Ha Tinh and Quang Binh. Upon discovering the fire, he and his 16 crew members made every effort to extinguish the flames, but their attempts were futile, and the boat eventually sank. Fortunately, all crew members were rescued, though crew member Nguyen Dinh Trong sustained serious eye injuries in the process of trying to fight the fire.
Similarly, in Thanh Hoa Province, many other fishermen also faced significant damage. One of the most tragic cases was that of Mr. Nguyen Van Bon’s family in Quang Xuong District. Mr. Bon perished when his boat capsized during the typhoon. His death left his family devastated, facing immense emotional and financial burdens. Cases like these illustrate the level of destruction that typhoon Yagi inflicted on the lives of fishermen in the Central region of Vietnam.
Support from the Department of Fisheries and the Vietnam Fisheries Union
In an effort to promptly assist fishermen in overcoming their difficulties, the working delegation from the Department of Fisheries and the Vietnam Fisheries Union personally visited and provided support to the families affected by typhoon Yagi. Director General Tran Dinh Luan presented 10 million VND from the Fisheries Humanitarian Fund to Mr. Tran Van Chinh, giving him some resources to help rebuild after the disaster. In addition, crew member Nguyen Dinh Trong, who had sustained severe eye injuries, was given 2 million VND to help cover his medical expenses.
In Thanh Hoa Province, the delegation provided financial assistance to four fishermen whose boats had sunk during the typhoon, including the family of Mr. Nguyen Van Bon, who tragically lost his life. The Bon family received 10 million VND, along with heartfelt words of encouragement from the leadership of the Department of Fisheries and the Vietnam Fisheries Union. In addition, other fishermen, such as Mr. Ho Van Huong, Mr. Tran Van Nhan, and Mr. Hoang Van Hai, also received financial support ranging from 3 to 5 million VND each, helping them recover from their losses and return to their work as soon as possible.
This support, while material in nature, carried an even greater symbolic and emotional significance, as it motivated fishermen to persevere and continue their fishing operations. During his interactions with the fishermen, Director General Tran Dinh Luan listened carefully to their concerns and aspirations. He also shared that the fisheries sector is currently facing many significant challenges, including climate change, natural disasters, and increasingly stringent international market regulations. However, he emphasized that with the government’s support and the tireless efforts of the fishermen, these challenges would eventually be overcome.
The importance of post-disaster recovery
Recovering production after natural disasters is no easy task for fishermen. The damage caused by typhoon Yagi has left many fishermen without boats, their primary means of livelihood, and in some cases, without family members. The debts they have incurred from loans taken to build new boats under Decree 67 only further compound their difficulties. Recovery will require not only government support but also the solidarity of the entire fishing community and related organizations.
Mr. Do Tien Dung, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Agriculture and Rural Development Union and Chairman of the Vietnam Fisheries Union, stressed that the most important goal of the support activities is not just providing material assistance but also offering emotional encouragement. This will help fishermen regain their confidence and motivation to continue their work at sea and rebuild their lives. He noted that after each disaster, fishermen not only suffer property losses but also lose their faith and determination in their work. Therefore, moral support is a crucial factor in helping them stabilize their lives and overcome challenges.
In addition to direct financial support, local authorities also pledged to work closely with relevant agencies to expedite insurance claims for fishermen who had suffered losses. This will give them additional resources to reinvest in their boats, resume fishing operations, and continue their livelihoods on the sea.
Long-term challenges and future prospects
Typhoon Yagi is just one of many natural disasters that Central Vietnamese fishermen face annually. Climate change, increasingly extreme weather conditions, and economic pressures such as rising fuel prices and higher production costs have made the fishing industry more precarious than ever. Additionally, the issue of the European Commission’s (EC) yellow card on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to weigh heavily on Vietnam's fisheries sector, affecting exports and placing tremendous pressure on fishermen.
During his visit, Director General Tran Dinh Luan affirmed that although difficulties remain, with government support, the unity of fishermen, and assistance from organizations like the Vietnam Fisheries Union, fishermen will not only overcome their current challenges but will also emerge stronger in the future. He also stressed that maintaining fishing operations not only provides income for fishermen but also contributes to the protection of the country’s maritime sovereignty, a responsibility that every fisherman takes great pride in.
At the conclusion of the visit, the Department of Fisheries and the Vietnam Fisheries Union left a strong impression of unity and mutual support within the fishing community. These activities not only reflect the sense of responsibility shown by government agencies but also represent a long-term commitment to standing by fishermen, helping them overcome natural disasters, and continuing to sustain the fisheries industry, which is a vital pillar of Vietnam’s maritime economy.
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In the future, it is expected that more comprehensive measures will be taken to ensure that fishermen are better prepared to withstand the increasingly severe impacts of climate change. Furthermore, the government and relevant organizations will continue to support fishermen through both financial aid and emotional encouragement, creating a foundation for sustainable growth in the fisheries sector. As Director General Tran Dinh Luan emphasized, the challenges may be many, but with determination, resilience, and solidarity, Vietnamese fishermen will undoubtedly rise above adversity and contribute to the long-term development and prosperity of the nation.
The Department of Fisheries, along with the Vietnam Fisheries Union, remains committed to addressing these challenges head-on, ensuring that the Central region’s fishermen can recover and thrive in their work, safeguarding both their livelihoods and the nation's vital marine resources.
Hai Dang