Beach-seine fishing forms a distinctive part of the working culture of Hải Ninh’s coastal community. VNA/VNS Photos Hữu Quyết

HÀ TĨNH Traditional fishing practices continue to endure amid the rapid pace of modern life.

In Hải Ninh Ward, Hà Tĩnh Province, residents still practise beach-seine fishing every day, generating additional income, preserving a distinctive part of the community’s cultural heritage and offering an engaging experience for visitors.

As the first rays of sunlight appear, Hải Ninh Beach comes alive with the sound of waves and fishermen calling to one another.

Groups of residents form long lines along the shore, working in rhythm to haul large fishing nets in from the sea. Their steady footsteps across the sand create a simple yet vibrant scene that marks the beginning of a new day.

Using the traditional method, fishermen cast a large net in an arc offshore. Dozens of people then stand on the beach and pull its two ends towards the shore, gradually trapping the fish inside.

Unlike modern fishing methods, beach-seine fishing is entirely manual and depends heavily on currents, tides and the experience of local fishermen.

Residents sometimes enter the water at dawn, while on other days they must wait until late afternoon or even midnight for the right conditions. Every haul requires close coordination among many people, as the entire process, from casting the net to bringing it ashore, is performed by hand.

Lê Quang Lý, a resident of Bắc Ninh Residential Quarter in Hải Ninh Ward, said the practice had been passed down through generations and remained an important part of local life.

As catches depend largely on tidal conditions, yields vary from one trip to another. Nevertheless, residents continue the tradition because it provides fresh food and additional income.

Coastal fish stocks have been more plentiful this year than in previous periods, according to Lý. Fish have appeared both close to shore and farther offshore, resulting in relatively good catches.

Fishermen coordinate their movements as they haul a beach seine ashore by hand.

Herrings, mullets and other valuable fish species are frequently found in the nets.

“This is only a secondary livelihood, but it is a tradition handed down by our ancestors, so we want to preserve it,” he said.

“Each net-hauling session also provides good physical exercise. Many visitors particularly enjoy watching residents pull in the nets in the early morning or late afternoon.”

Beyond generating additional income, the practice helps maintain strong community bonds. Each haul requires many people to work together, sustaining a spirit of collective labour that has long characterised life in the coastal community.

Nguyễn Xuân Thống, another resident of Bắc Ninh Residential Quarter, said that nearly every family in the village once owned a beach seine.

Although many residents have since moved into other occupations, around 25 households in the ward continue to practise the traditional fishing method.

Fishing times are carefully determined according to the tides. Under favourable conditions, each outing can yield between 10kg and 15kg of fish. Catches may be smaller on other days, but they still help supplement family meals and household incomes.

“This is not our main source of income, but it gives local families some extra money,” Thống said.

“More importantly, we want to preserve our homeland’s traditional occupation. Whenever we bring in a good catch, everyone feels happy and proud that the practice handed down by our ancestors is still alive.”

Hauling the nets also provides valuable physical exercise. During each session, residents move continuously along the beach and coordinate their movements to bring the large net ashore.

For many older residents, it is also a way to remain active and maintain their connection with the sea.

As coastal tourism develops, the sight of fishermen hauling nets has become an attraction for visitors to Hải Ninh.

Around 25 households in Hải Ninh Ward continue to practise traditional beach-seine fishing.

In the early morning and late afternoon, many people stop to watch the work and eagerly await the arrival of freshly caught fish. Some buy seafood directly on the beach, while others photograph the fishermen’s everyday working life.

During the summer, when the beach attracts large crowds, many visitors gather to watch residents haul in the nets. The sight of villagers working together to bring ashore nets filled with fish has become a distinctive feature of Hải Ninh and adds colour to the visitor experience.

Local authorities have identified the preservation of the traditional practice as an activity that should be combined with tourism development and efforts to improve residents’ livelihoods.

Phạm Danh Hiệp, vice chairman of the Hải Ninh Ward People’s Committee, said local authorities were committed to maintaining beach-seine fishing and incorporating it into efforts to promote Hải Ninh as a coastal tourism destination.

Preserving the traditional occupation provides additional livelihood opportunities, diversifies local tourism products and introduces Hải Ninh’s coastal culture to visitors, he said.

The ward will continue encouraging residents to maintain the practice and explore suitable tourism experiences that can both preserve its cultural value and raise incomes among fishing households.

At a time when many traditional occupations are gradually disappearing, beach seines continue to be hauled ashore every day in Hải Ninh.

The calls of residents pulling together, fresh catches arriving on the beach and the smiles that follow each successful haul have become familiar features of the coastal community.

The practice not only helps improve local livelihoods, but also preserves the memories, cultural identity and distinctive rhythm of life along Hà Tĩnh’s coastline. VNS

Fishermen in Hải Ninh Ward carry their fishing gear towards the sea before casting a beach seine.

Beach-seine fishing forms a distinctive part of the working culture of Hải Ninh’s coastal community.Beach-seine fishing forms a distinctive part of the working culture of Hải Ninh’s coastal community.

Fishermen in Hải Ninh Ward work together to haul a beach seine ashore in the early morning.

Fishermen cast a beach seine in an arc according to the tides before hauling it ashore.

Fishermen in Hải Ninh Ward work together to haul a beach seine ashore in the early morning.

Every catch depends on currents, tides and the fishermen’s experience.

The preservation of beach-seine fishing helps promote Hải Ninh as a coastal destination while supporting local livelihoods.

Every catch depends on currents, tides and the fishermen’s experience.

Each haul brings in fish and shrimp, providing fishermen with additional income.