Seaweed is dried under the sun. — VNA/VNS Photo

NINH THUẬN — These days, fishermen in coastal localities in Ninh Hải and Thuận Nam districts of Ninh Thuận Province are beginning the exploitation season of seaweed.

The abundant amount of harvested seaweed is sold at a high price, giving fishermen a significant source of income after Tết (Lunar New Year).

At the coast of Nhơn Hải Commune in Ninh Hải District, fisherman Nguyễn Minh Tý dragged each net basket containing seaweed collected from the sea out to dry under the sun for selling to traders.

These days, Tý starts his work from 6am putting on a swimsuit and goggles to dive into the sea 500-800m from shore to exploit seaweed that is 0.5 to 1.5m below the surface.

In about three hours, Tý harvested over 200kg of seaweed.

"Seaweed starts to grow from January. This year, thanks to favourable weather, there was more seaweed than in previous years, so we took the opportunity to collect it to earn more income," Tý excitedly told vietnamplus.vn.

Similarly, Nguyễn Khắc Nguyễn is also quickly pulling each basket of seaweed from the sea to the shore for drying

“If it is sunny, it only takes one day for the seaweed to dry,” said Nguyễn.

“Just wade into the sea until it is up to waist to be able to pick up seaweed,” he said.

Every day, under the sun and into the water, Nguyễn can harvest 200-300kg of fresh seaweed.

It takes about 5kg of fresh seaweed to make 1kg of dried seaweed, selling at VNĐ7,000 per kilo (28 US cents).

At present, as much seaweed as is harvested, traders buy it all. So, we - the fishermen are very happy, the fisherman said.

Meanwhile, many fishermen in Phước Dinh Commune of Thuận Nam District are also taking advantage of picking up green seaweed from the reefs and gathering seaweed carried on the waves hitting the coast of Từ Thiện Village of Vĩnh Trường Commune.

Nguyễn Thị Lành, a resident in Phước Dinh Commune, said that green seaweed is available all year round, but the peak harvest season is from February to June.

This year there is more green seaweed than usual, Lành said.

Every day, Lành picks up about 250-300kg of green seaweed and then puts it on the sand to dry.

At a selling price of VNĐ7,000 per kilo of dry seaweed, she earns a daily income of VNĐ350,000-400,000 ($14-16).

According to fishermen, seaweed is purchased and processed into food and beverages in factories. Some kinds of green seaweed are also used for animal feed and fertiliser.

In addition to providing a source of income for fishermen, the beauty of Từ Thiện Village's seaweed fields makes an attractive tourism destination, especially for young people, to come to take photos.

When the tide recedes, the green seaweed stretches across the coral reef, which is more than 500m wide and about 4km long, overwhelming visitors with its natural beauty.

The best time to enjoy this moment is at sunrise and at sunset, according to the locals.

Currently, the authorities of coastal localities in Ninh Thuận Province are promoting advocacy and dissemination to help fishermen reasonably exploit the marine resource to ensure their livelihoods, protect marine environment, minimise harm to the habitat of marine creatures and maintain sustainable resources. — VNS

A woman collects seaweed in Thuận Nam District. VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Thành