According to history as well as chorography documents, Chau Truc (or Tra O) Lagoon in My Chau Commune, Phu My District is a beauty spot (Picture 1: Sunset at Chau Truc Lagoon). Besides, natural resources from the lagoon are so abundant that many 3-4-generation households has been living stably by exploiting the resources (Picture 2: A family is harvesting fish).

In daytime, Chau Truc Lagoon is transquil and peaceful. Its bristling vatality only starts waking up when evening has set in. Some people set fish-nets, some drop the line, some set baits in hoisting nets, others prepare their fishing-net or weir…Clatter and clink on wooden sideboat remind people of a symphony of peace lasting from sunset to dawn (Picture 3: Examine fish-net; Picture 4: At 4 a.m, this fisherman checks his hoisting net and weir).

A researching project on reservation of Chau Truc Lagoon’s natural resource in which practice of fishing with electricity devices is prevented is going to be carried out. This woman and her children smile happily when I ask them about their highest expectation from the project. Like any local residents living along the lagoon, they want everything to be the same as the past. Fishing used to be much easier than now. “If people stop using electricity to catch fish and shrimp, the lagoonwill be like it used to be”, said surely the woman before getting into a boat with her children.

• Written and Photo by Dao Tien Dat
• Translated by To Uyen