People rush to catch 'terrible' fish in Tri An Lake

DONG NAI – Many people use nets, fishing, pitchforks… to catch fish after the Tri An lake dam stopped releasing flood, some fishermen earn millions of dong.

On the morning of October 28, Tri An hydropower plant started to close its dam after nearly a month of releasing flood at the spillway in Vinh An town, Vinh Cuu District. After about 30 minutes of stopping discharge, the water dropped, hundreds of people rushed to the foot of the dam about 2,000 m2 wide to catch fish. Many people gathered to go in groups stretching about 100 meters along the river.

People cast their fishing nets on the shore. Photo: Phuoc Tuan — People cast their fishing nets on the shore. Photo: *Phuoc Tuan*

“I waited early to catch fish, not only selling fish for a little money but also very happy,” said Mr. Hai, from Vinh An town.

With the psychology of hunting “terrible” fish that sell a lot of money, some people use rackets, nets… to catch them. According to fishermen specializing in catching fish on Tri An lake, compared to previous years, this year the fish is less due to the long time of discharge from the lake, but in return, much large fish return to the dam, mainly catfish, langur, and oil. …

A fisherman caught nearly 6 kg of oil pangasius at the Tri An lake dam. Photo: Phuoc Tuan

The closure of the dam also makes the atmosphere of the nearby seafood market bustling, attracting many people. Some traders bring trucks with the full oxygen systems, iced… to buy at a higher price than farmed fish. The price of trout is from 130,000 to 200,000 VND per kg, and the catfish is 20,000 VND per kg… The “terrible” fish, over 10 kg, are sold in the style of “customers bid, they sell”.

“Dong Nai river fish has long been famous for being delicious and clean, so when I heard the news of the dam being closed, I went up to buy it with my friends. This year, the price is quite high, so the price is quite high,” said Trung, a resident of Bien Hoa city.

Hundreds of people went down to the Tri An lake dam to catch fish, on the morning of October 28. Photo: Phuoc Tuan — Hundreds of people went down to the Tri An lake dam to catch fish, on the morning of October 28. Photo: *Phuoc Tuan*

Tri An hydropower reservoir is 323 km2 wide, located on Dong Nai river in Dinh Quan and Vinh Cuu districts. In addition to the purpose of producing electricity for the national grid, the project also ensures water for domestic use, agriculture, salt suppression, and flood control… for the downstream area of the river. To ensure dam safety and regulate floods, the lake started to release water on October 8.