IT to aid fishermen

These incidents left nearly 300 fishermen dead or missing. Improved safety and ways to earn better incomes is now a mutual concern for both the authorities and the private sector.

"The weather is becoming more unpredictable. This also requires fishermen to have enough understanding of the conditions in order to ensure safe trawling expeditions", Tran Van Vinh, Vice Head of Fisheries Department, Binh Dinh Province

Few fishing vessels are equipped with radar, while some 4,500 are equipped with maritime communication devices. Even so, they aren’t able to make the best use of the system due to the lack the uniformity.

"The number of maritime communication devices connected to local support stations is limited. This because such stations have only been established in the last couple of years, while the devices fishermen are using have been in operation often for a decade. We’re doing our best to expand connection", Tran Ngoc Oai, Deputy Director of Directorate of Fisheries, said.

According to the Directorate of Fisheries, information technology has yet to be widely adopted due to cost factors and fishermen lack information about how useful this equipment can be.

"First, we’ll hold more training on how to use the technology for fishermen. Second, we’ll pave the way for domestic and foreign enterprises and importers of this kind of equipment. This should help fishermen be able to choose the best products at the most reasonable prices", Vu Van Tam, Deputy Head of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said.

Vietnam is currently negotiating with several nations so that Vietnamese fishing vessels can expand their fishing area. Given this, the investment on technology for fishing is essential to support Vietnamese fishermen.