With favorable weather conditions and a rich anchovy season, many fishing boats in Phu Yen province have been bringing in one to two tons of anchovies per night, generating profits of millions of dong for local fishermen.

As the sun rises, dozens of fishing boats return to the shores of My Quang fishing village (An Chan commune, Tuy An district, Phu Yen province), their hulls brimming with freshly caught anchovies. Unlike traditional markets, the fish trade here unfolds right on the beach, where the waves crash against the shore as traders and workers scramble to secure their share of the morning’s catch.

This region is known for its small-powered fishing boats, which operate close to shore on short overnight trips. Each day, fishermen set sail around 4 PM, spending the night at sea before returning with their haul in the early morning.

Anchovies in Phu Yen typically appear between two and five nautical miles (3–10 km) offshore. Early in the year, the calm seas and favorable weather conditions increase the chances of a successful catch. If fishermen encounter a dense school of anchovies, they can secure a high yield in just a single night.

Each boat can catch between one and two tons of anchovies per night. Fishermen report that Ba Lai anchovies are the most common variety, selling for $0.60–$0.80 per kilogram, while the rarer Ngan anchovies fetch $3.20–$4.00 per kilogram.

Returning from a night at sea with nearly a ton of anchovies, Pham Thi Hoa shared that this season has been particularly rewarding. Compared to previous years, both the catch and the selling price have been favorable. At An Chan fishing port, traders are buying fresh anchovies at $0.80 per kilogram, allowing Hoa’s boat to earn approximately $600 per trip. After deducting expenses, her household profits over $400 per night.

“It’s exhausting work since we fish throughout the night, but the income is good, so everyone is happy,” Hoa said. “We just hope the weather stays favorable so we can continue fishing regularly and maximize our catch.”

Some of the anchovies brought ashore are sold fresh at local markets. However, the majority are sent to fish sauce manufacturers or processed through steaming, drying, and seasoning for export to China, Malaysia, and other markets.

Nguyen Thi Mai, a seafood trader at An Chan port, emphasized the importance of fresh anchovies in fish sauce production. "For fish sauce, the anchovies must be fresh and untreated with ice. No matter how many the fishermen catch, I will buy the entire stock."

As the anchovies are unloaded, groups of women stand ready to carry, weigh, and deliver the fish to traders. The busy scene on the beach reflects the economic significance of anchovy fishing to the local community.

“With the recent influx of anchovies, we’ve been carrying baskets of fish from dawn till noon. Depending on the volume, traders pay between $2 and $4 per load. On average, each worker can earn $8 to $12 per morning, which helps support our families,” one worker said.

In Phu Yen, anchovy fishing is a year-round activity, but the peak season runs from November (lunar calendar) to April of the following year. A strong season with high prices brings prosperity to fishermen and encourages them to continue venturing out to sea.

Thao Quyen