Labour Resource Challenges in Fisheries-Based Communities in Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam

The study evaluates the current status of direct labour resources in Vietnam’s coastal fisheries sector, with a focus on both workforce quantity and quality, and identifies key challenges constraining labour supply. Empirically, it examines workers engaged in aquaculture and marine capture activities in coastal communities of Quang Ngai province, a major economic hub in the country’s central coastal region. The results reveal substantial labour market pressures in coastal fisheries. Although fisheries workers account for an average of 6.5% of the local labour force, demand for labour remains under-satisfied, hindering stable production and productivity gains. A pronounced labour shortage is particularly evident in Quang Ngai. Among 91 surveyed aquaculture households, 77 (84.62%) reported difficulties in recruiting workers. The situation is even more severe in fishing households, where 108 out of 138 (78.26%) reported labour shortages. These findings underscore the need for targeted policy measures and support mechanisms to mitigate labour constraints in coastal fisheries. The study provides an evidence base for designing and implementing sustainable human-resource strategies in Vietnam’s coastal fisheries and tourism sectors, in line with the national development vision to 2030 and outlook to 2040. Keywords: labour resources; coastal fisheries; fisheries industry; Quang Ngai; Vietnam.