Ha Tinh province: capture fisheries management orientation (06-06-2013)
Situated on the North Central coastal part of Viet Nam, Ha Tinh province has a coastline of 137 km and four estuaries including Hoi, Sot, Nhuong and Khau. With territorial waters of 18,400 km2, Ha Tinh has various kinds of species such as small pelagic, big pelagic, bottom fish, shrimp, squid and octopus, which results in different kinds of fishing career. Although province’s yearly fishing production amounts to 25,000 tons in term of volume, not as high as other provinces, its value is pretty, gaining VND 700 billion, with average fishing production of about VND 28,000 million per tons. According to statistics, the province has 12 double trawlers, contributing to annual fishing production of about 5,000 tons.
The province’s fisheries infrastructure is gradually planned, built and upgraded. At 4 estuaries, 4 fishing ports and shelters have been planned to supply fisheries logistic service for fishing vessels. Thanh Kim, Cua Hoi and Cua Sot fishing ports have been put into operation, coupled with the fact that some other investment items will be upgraded by the province under the CRSD project would better facilitate fisheries logistic services such as water, fuel and food supplying, repaired fishing gears areas, upgrading food safety and hygiene, reducing post-harvested losses, ect.
Regarding fishing activities’ organizing, Ha Tinh has formed 46 fishing teams with 250 fishing gears. In 2013, two fisheries unions in 2 key communes of Cam Phuong and Thanh Kim will be formed. In addition, fisheries co-management models are expected to establish to boost responsible fishing and encourage the participation of community and stakeholders in sharing responsibility of more sustainably using resources.
Like other provinces, multi-species fisheries in Ha Tinh is facing challenges such as a large number of small vessels, poor fishermen and pressure on livelihood, ect. In order to manage capture fisheries sustainably, Ha Tinh needs to have appropriate action of plan for managing fishing capacity to control the number of vessels, forms of fishing, fishing region and fishing reason.
To end this, fisheries co-management model is the most appropriate for managing fishing activities. This model not only ensures the feasibility of human resources but also of economic efficient. However, since it is a new model for Viet Nam, it is necessary to raise the communities’ awareness and seek consensus of stakeholders to ensure the success. In addition, it would take time and require the patient of stakeholders, especially local authorities and fisheries management agencies at all levels.
FICen