Thousands of farmers preparing to harvest their lobsters are now left in a financial quandary after days of torrential rain destroyed their cages, concerns that the losses could weigh on the country’s seafood exports this year.
The devastation comes just as farmers were set to reap nearly a year’s hard work breeding lobsters ahead of the peak season, when demand for the product rises, especially during the festive period.
In central Vietnam’s Song Cau Ward in Dak Lak Province – regarded as Vietnam’s lobster capital – cages used for lobster cultivation sank in flood waters, causing damage worth thousands of dollars, and the Vietnamese media has been highlighting the issue for almost a month.
“Local farmers said that within a single night, entire cages were swept away or sank, leaving almost nothing to salvage. Lobster stocks expected to be harvested soon have been completely lost,” reported Vietnam News.
One of the country’s oldest news publications, Lao Dong, reported that massive floods killed 20 million lobsters in Dak Lak alone, leaving farmers in deep financial distress.
Since early November, Typhoon Kalmaegi – locally known as Storm 13 – has caused massive chaos in the country. Local media reported 41 fatalities while hundreds of hectares of farmland, aquaculture and millions of livestock were destroyed.
Vietnamplus reported 3,500ha of crops were destroyed and over 18,000 poultry and 620 livestock were lost last week alone, with total losses estimated at RM158mil.
Situated along the Pacific typhoon belt, Vietnam is exposed to powerful storms and Typhoon Kalmaegi was the 13th tropical storm to hit the nation this year.
The resulting flooding – especially in central Vietnam and coastal regions – had a grave impact on millions of rural communities, as well as the economy.
Coastal fishing and marine tourism activities came to a grinding halt due to rising water levels.
The timing of the natural disaster poses a serious threat to the country’s thriving seafood industry. — Bernama
