Basic HTML Version
ince’s economy.
Scaling up efficiency
The fishermen in Tuy Hoa city re-
call there were only 20 large fishing
vessels two decades ago. Fishermen
soon recognised that to optimise effi-
ciency and ensure security, they need-
ed big boats.
Tran Van Di, a senior fisherman
in Tuy Hoa city’s Phu Dong ward and
owner of a large ship, says: “Since my
family built a bigger ship with modern
facilities, catches have been much im-
proved with better preservation con-
ditions which led to markedly higher
economic efficiency.”
Many fishermen in Phu Yen have
recently invested in building much
larger ships. The family of Tran Kim
Hoa has pumped VND2.4 billion
($115,000) into the builing of two
boats.
Fishing, however, is not without
problems. According to deputy direc-
tor of Phu Yen Department of Agricul-
ture and Rural Development, Nguyen
Tri Phuong, ocean tuna catches in
Phu Yen only amounted to 4,200
tonnes last year, down more than
2,000 tonnes against some previous
years, generating about $28 million
via exports.
This was chiefly due to fierce com-
petition from other localities in the re-
gion. Besides, ocean fishing was also hit
by plummeting prices.
The General Department of Cus-
toms figures show that Vietnam posted
$526 million from tuna exports last
year, down 7.2 per cent against 2012.
Despite these factors, in mid-
January, plenty of ocean tuna fishing
ships owned by Tuy Hoa city fishermen
moored, each carrying 1.3 - 3 tonnes of
fish on board.
The tunaprice reachedVND140,000
($6.7) per kg, down nearly VND40,000
per kg on last year, but many ships still
counted healthy profits.
Tran Ngoc Tu earned nearly
VND200 million ($9,500) in profits,
while farmer Le Van Lai earned nearly
VND100 million ($4,800).
However, only about 10 per cent
of ships currently generate profits; the
remainder either break even or incur
losses. When fish other than tuna are
caught, the number of ships reporting
profits rises to 60 per cent.
PHU YEN IN FOCUS
17
timeout
Tuna dishes in Phu Yen
Phu Yen style sashimi
The province is renowned for its fresh tuna
served with mustard, mustard greens and herbs.
The slightly bitter taste of mustard greens com-
bined with the salty sauce and sweet tuna is
a delight.
Tuna caviar
While tuna flesh can be seen in other locations
outside Phu Yen, the dishes made from tuna
caviar are unique to the province. Preparing a
caviar dish is fairly simple - the caviar is lightly
covered with flour before being fried and cut
into pieces and served with hot chilli.
Tuna eyes
This dish is unique to Phu Yen. The eyeballs are
put into an earthen pot and cooked with roots
and spices. Served with roasted groundnuts or
a dry pancake.