Fishermen net big profits

Hanoi (VNA) - Fishermen across the country have come ashore with bulging
nets, signaling a lucrative year for the fishing sector.

Good weather conditions, a drop in global oil prices and financial support from
the Government had all helped to net this month's plentiful catch, said Deputy
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Luong Le Phuong.

The ministry's statistics reveal that January's seafood output reached 195,000
tonnes - a 1.5 percent increase from last year. Aquaculture output increased 7.9
percent to 150,000 tonnes.

Fishermen in the central and southern coastal provinces such as Phu Yen, Binh
Dinh, Quang Ngai and Bac Lieu have reaped tidy profits from large tuna, mackerel
and prawn catches.

Despite positive news, agriculture officials admitted that like other recent world
trends, seafood export revenues were down in January.

Earnings reached 250 million USD, 18.6 percent lower than the same period last
year.

According to the ministry, the main reason for the drop was the slump in
purchasing power from key importers such as Japan , the EU and Russia .

Deputy Minister Phuong said the ministry was urging businesses to expand export
markets and boost domestic consumption by joining trade fairs and surveying new
markets right from the beginning of the year.

In the meantime, the ministry also calls for local fishermen and processing
enterprises to ensure their products would meet quality and hygiene requirements
from importers.-Enditem