In fairy tales, giant scallops are the homes of the water-nymph. In the early year, Quang Ngai’s fishermen go to the sea to catch them to sell for VND10-15 million ($500-700)/scallop.
According to fishermen, with a lucky trip, a fisherman can earn nearly VND100 million ($5,000) while the boat owner can have over VND500 million ($25,000).
Previously, catching holothurians brought about the highest income for local fishermen, but now it falls behind giant scallops.
They can usually earn VND80 million for a hard-working year on fishing boats but if they work for giant scallop catching boats, their income may reach over VND500 million ($25,000) per year.
Catching giant scallops is the job of kings,” a fisherman joked.
Giant scallops are very big. Fishermen have to use ropes to pull them to the boat. Some scallops are over 1m long.
During the lunar New Year 2014, all fishermen of the fishing village of Binh Chau were not at home to welcome the New Year since they went to the sea to catch scallops.
All boats returned home in the early morning of the 6th day of the lunar year (February 7), full with giant scallops. It is estimated that each boat caught 200-300 scallops. The scallops were sold to traders at the average price of VND10 million/scallop ($500).
A local fisherman said depending on the output, the price of giant scallops would fall to VND5 million or rise to VND15 million/scallop. Traders again sell scallops to users at the price which is 2-3 times higher.
Knowing that catching giant scallops can bring about high income, many local fishermen can do nothing because they do not have fishing boats with big capacity, at least 350-550 hp.
Mr. Bui Hong Van – Chairman of Binh Chau Fisheries Union said that a fisherman named Truong Quang Tri recently earned up to VND3 billion from a scallop catching trip, the highest earnings ever in Binh Chau commune.
VIETNAMNET Bridge