Vietnam’s fishers face rising costs, declining catches and a contested sea

In Quang Ngai province, Central Vietnam, fisherman Vo Huu Viet, with over three decades of experience at sea, decided to stay ashore in March when diesel prices reached an unprecedented high. He explained, "The catch is simply not enough to make up for the labor of four men." As he docked his inherited wooden boat, his family and crew had to find alternative work to make ends meet.

Viet was far from alone, as thousands of fishing boats anchored in Vietnamese ports for months due to the fuel crisis rendering sea voyages unprofitable. The rise in fuel prices, according to the fishers, not only increased the cost of diesel but also escalated the expenses for other essential supplies required for their boats, such as ice and food.

During this period, from March 1 to April 21, fishing activities in Vietnam plunged by 18.9% compared to the same timeframe the previous year, as reported by the nonprofit vessel-tracking platform Global Fishing Watch. For energy-intensive trawlers, the decline in fishing hours was even more pronounced at 31%. Besides the financial burden posed by the soaring fuel prices, fishers in Vietnam face additional challenges.

Unsustainable and illegal fishing practices, exacerbated by climate change, have led to declining fish stocks. Moreover, international efforts to tighten fishing enforcement and the increasing presence of Chinese vessels further complicate their situation.