State media reported 711 out of 802 fishing fleets in Bac Lieu southern province have received fuel support in order to keep on their livelihood. Owners of these ships got a total of VND7,463 million ($466,500), accounting for 90% of state’s fuel aid budget. 33 other ships will be allocated money according to this program this month. Provincial statistic also showed the number of ships fishing offshore in the first week of September reached record high since the beginning of the year.

In August alone, local fishermen in Bac Lieu caught above 7,724 tons of seafood, an increase of 14% against June, including more than 1,000 tons of shrimp. Seafood catch from January to now reached approximately 50,000 tons, accounting for 70 percent of the year plan. Shrimp catch from the beginning of the year was 7,000 tons, as 103% over the same period last year.