Fisherman catches 'rich' fish in the middle of the night, arms tired from trying to remove it

March 5, 2024 | 11:37

TPO - Going out to sea to fish from midnight, fishermen in the coastal area of Nghe An bring back tons of fresh herring, earning millions of dong every morning.

At midnight, while riding the waves, the fisherman caught a 'rich' fish. His hands were tired from removing it. Photo 1

At 8am on March 5, along the beach of Dien Kim commune, Dien Chau district, Nghe An, rafts lined up to return to shore. Fishermen were excited when their nets were heavy with herring.

At midnight, while riding the waves, the fisherman caught a 'rich' fish. His hands were tired from removing it. Photo 3

Fisherman Nguyen Van Cuong (born in 1966, residing in Dien Kim commune, Dien Chau district) said that he got up at 12 midnight, then prepared his fishing gear and went out to sea about 5-7 nautical miles from shore. After about 5 hours of fishing, the raft returned to shore. “It is the herring season, so all the rafts are full of fish. For about a week now, I have been going to sea every night. Some days I catch at least 2-3 quintals, and today I caught more than 1 ton of herring. After the fish are removed, traders buy them on the spot,” Mr. Cuong shared.

At midnight, while riding the waves, the fisherman caught a 'rich' fish. His hands were tired from removing it. Photo 4

According to fishermen, herring move along the creek in schools and appear densely in the waters near the shore. When they see the fish, fishermen start to cast their nets.

At midnight, while riding the waves, the fisherman caught a 'rich' fish. His hands were tired from removing it. Photo 5

Removing and harvesting herring takes a lot of time. Therefore, many women are also mobilized to help remove the fish.

At midnight, while riding the waves, the fisherman caught a 'rich' fish. His hands were tired from removing it. Photo 6

Returning from a trip out to sea with a net heavy with herring, fisherman Nguyen Phuc Linh (born in 1959, resident of Dien Kim commune) said: "This trip I got 500 kg of fresh herring. After being unloaded, these fish will be purchased by traders on the spot. With a selling price of 20,000 VND/kg, after deducting expenses, I earn 3 - 4 million VND."

At midnight, while riding the waves, the fisherman caught a 'rich' fish. His hands were tired from removing it. Photo 7

According to local fishermen, the herring season starts in March and lasts until May. Normally, people set off at midnight to fish and return to shore at 7-8 am every day, in time to sell fresh fish to traders.

At midnight, while riding the waves, the fisherman caught a 'rich' fish. His hands were tired from removing it. Photo 8

At midnight, while riding the waves, the fisherman caught a 'rich' fish. His hands were tired from removing it. Photo 9

Every time the rafts reach the shore, traders compete to place orders. To make the fish collection process faster, traders also assist fishermen in collecting the fish.

At midnight, while riding the waves, the fisherman caught a 'rich' fish. His hands were tired from removing it. Photo 10

At midnight, while riding the waves, the fisherman caught a 'rich' fish. His hands were tired from removing it. Photo 11

At midnight, while riding the waves, the fisherman caught a 'rich' fish. His hands were tired from removing it. Photo 12

At midnight, while riding the waves, the fisherman caught a 'rich' fish. His hands were tired from removing it. Photo 13

After removing the herring, they are put into a water tank to be cleaned, and then purchased on the spot by traders. The selling price ranges from 20,000 - 25,000 VND/kg.

At midnight, while riding the waves, the fisherman caught a 'rich' fish. His hands were tired from removing it. Photo 14

Herring contains a large amount of omega 3, vitamin D and B12, and is considered a “high-protein” fish. Herring is often used to prepare dishes such as salad, grilled, steamed or sold to purchasing facilities to make fish sauce.

At midnight, while riding the waves, the fisherman caught a 'rich' fish. His hands were tired from removing it. Photo 15

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, a trader, said that the herring is caught at night and not kept on ice, so it is still fresh. This is the time of year when herring is the most delicious and of the highest quality, so it is easy to consume.

At midnight, while riding the waves, the fisherman caught a 'rich' fish. His hands were tired from removing it. Photo 16

Dien Chau district has more than 200 rafts specializing in near-shore fishing. During the herring fishing season, tons of herring are caught every day, creating a significant source of income for the fishermen here.