The first batch of Vietnamese tuna caught by new Japanese fishing technology, which weighed around 450 kilos in total was exported to Japan on August 6.

The fish were caught by a boat owned by Nguyen Que, from Binh Dinh province. Que said, “We caught 54 with the help of new Japanese catching technology."

Japanese traders examined 37 out of the 54 fish and chose nine fit for export.

Examining tuna

The tuna export programme is run under a cooperation agreement signed on August 5 between Binh Dinh Fishery Joint Stock Company (Bidifisco) and a Japanese company, Kato Hitoshi General Office Co., Ltd. According to the agreement, the Japanese firm would act as Bidifisco’s representative in Japan, where the fish will be auctioned. Bidifisco acts as a tuna wholesaler for fishermen in Binh Dinh, offering buying prices 20% higher than the going market rate.

Masakazu Shoga, a representative of Kato Hitoshi General Office Co., Ltd, said, “I’m very impressed by the results of this first use of Japanese technology by Vietnamese fishermen. I hope the next expedition will result in more tuna that meets export standards."

Cao Thi Kim Lan, director of Bidifisco, attributed the quality of the tuna to the timing of the expedition, which was late in the season. “I think the quality of Vietnamese tuna will improve during the main season.”

Le Huu Loc, chairman of the provincial government, said that they invested VND1.5 billion with five fishing boat owners in mid-June so they could to purchase fishing and preservation equipment to meet Japanese standards.