Recent petroleum price hikes have been making life more difficult for the fishermen of Binh Dinh Province, who are finding it harder to continue their trade.

Many fishing boats remain idle

The rise in fuel prices has driven up fishing costs by between approximately 15% and 33%. Now the base cost for each excursion is around VND80 million (USD3,833).

In Quy Nhon it is the season to fish for tuna. Yet many boats remain in their ports because their owners don't believe that profits will offset the costs of the trip.

Luong Van Minh, a fisherman in Hoai Huong Commune of Hoai Nhon District, said, "Previously a 20-day voyage costs from VND60-VND70 million (USD2,874-USD3,354) but the figure has gone up to VND80 million (USD3,833) after the recent rise in petroleum prices."

Many others are worried about the future of their trade after the fuel price hike.

Nguyen Van Son, of Hoai Huong Commune, a sailor of Cay’s crew shared, “Petroleum price increases come more frequently than any price cuts. Usually we would fish for six months out of the year, but the income is uncertain. On a good trip we can each earn anywhere between VND3 million and VND4 million (USD143.7-USD191.6). But on a bad trip, we might come back with nothing. Basically it is a struggle to survive.”

"If petroleum prices continue to go up and we have no help from the Government, many people may just have to find other ways to earn a living," said Van Cong Viet, a fisherman from Quy Nhon.

The owner of Quoc Toan, an oil firm that often supplies fuel to fishermen in Binh Dinh, said that their oil sales have seen a marked drop since the rise in price of petroleum.

Unfortunately, many fishermen say that they are being double-sided. Not only are their businesses suffering, but they also have to deal with the rising price of all sorts of goods due to increases in petrol prices.

Increased prices, decreased petrol sales

Fishermen worried of incurring losses