(vasep.com.vn) In December 2013, two Japanese experts will visit and help fishermen in Binh Dinh province enhance tuna fishing and preserving method.
Only 20 percent of total tuna output of the province (10,000 MT) is processed by local processors. The rest is sold to middle traders. Besides, post-harvest preservation is still inadequate.
To overcome these shortcomings, local authorities implemented working trips to Japan to call for investments in tuna processing.
The province together with Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association in Sankai are calling Japanese government to fund ODA for the locality. The fund will be allocated for enhancing method of tuna fishing and preserving as well as building logistics center in Tam Quan port in Hoai Nhon district.
In this month, Japan will send two experts to Vietnam in order to guide fishermen techniques of tuna fishing, preserving and processing. Besides, 4 fisheries experts in the province will be sent to Japan to be trained under Japan’s financial support program.
In 2012, tuna fishermen shifted from longline fishing to handlines using lights, leading a 2.5-fold increase in tuna production compared to 2011. Through June 2013, tuna output reported 9.2 percent year-on-year increase to hit 4,700 MT with productivity of 2.5 - 3 MT per vessel per fishing trip.
Despite bumper harvest, price of ocean tuna paid for fishermen reduced to VND45,000 from VND120,000. The decline in tuna price was attributable to tuna handlines using lights, resulting in lower quality catches.
In 2012, Vietnam caught 22,000 MT of tuna, doubling from 2010. Tuna production in 2013 is expected to hit 25,000 MT. Vietnam tuna is exported mainly under processed, canned products, exported fresh tuna only made up 25 percent.