Squid fishing on Phu Quy Island—locally known as “thẻ mực”—is one of the island’s most important traditional occupations and among the earliest to adopt the use of torchlight and lanterns at sea.
In the past, fishermen relied on bundles of torches, kerosene lamps, and carbide lamps. However, these early light sources were not very effective because they lacked the power to illuminate far distances or reach the ocean floor. Even so, the heat and glow of the lamps attracted squid, which mistook the light for prey and swam toward it. When the squid grabbed onto the baited line, locals called this “mực vịn” (literally “clinging squid”).
The “thẻ mực” technique involves suspending a fishing line made of nylon, spaced at intervals with small white cloth patches called “bông”. A lead weight—known as “nới”—is tied at the end to keep the line deep in the water.
Fishermen repeatedly pull the line up and down, causing the cloth patches to sway gently. Seeing the shimmering white patches, the squid rise toward the surface. Once they float near the top, fishers quickly scoop them up with hand nets and transfer them into the boat. Over time, island fishermen refined the technique further by adopting gasoline-fueled pressure lamps, which proved far more effective after exchanging knowledge with mainland fishers.
For many families on Phu Quy Island, squid jigging has provided stable and reliable income. Households that once struggled with poverty have gradually improved their livelihoods, built sturdier homes, and attained better living conditions. This profession is deeply rooted in the island’s heritage—passed down through generations—and aligns with the skills, traditions, and long-standing offshore fishing practices of local communities.
Today, squid jigging remains not only an economic mainstay but also a cultural symbol of the resilience, ingenuity, and maritime spirit of the people of Phu Quy.
