"Yes, it's the Antarctic Circle." He Mingde nodded.
Xiang Yang was silent for a moment. "Why do you suddenly want to go to the Antarctic Circle? The climate over there is not suitable for human beings to live in."
When most people think of Antarctica, the first things that come to mind are the chubby penguins or the cute seals.
In fact, Antarctica's fishery resources are very attractive.
Every year, many ocean-going fleets from all over the world go to Antarctica specifically to salvage Antarctic krill.
Going to Antarctica to catch some shrimps? Some people may wonder, can the fuel cost be earned back
In fact, the area from 60 degrees south latitude to the South Pole is an important grain producing area for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Every year, about 300,000 tons of aquatic products are caught in the Antarctic fishing area and then shipped to countries around the world. After processing, they are supplied to nearly 200 countries and regions around the world.
According to the latest data from the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Management Office, as of 2018, the annual catch of Antarctic krill was 289,700 tons.
In addition, the annual catch of Antarctic toothfish and Antarctic toothfish is also calculated in tens of thousands of tons.
The reserves of Antarctic krill are extremely abundant, with conservative estimates putting the number at around 500 million tons. From an ecological balance point of view, consuming 50 million tons each year is just a drop in the bucket, and cannot even keep up with the natural reproduction rate of Antarctic krill.
However, the content of toxic substances in the shell of Antarctic krill is very high and very unstable. After the krill die, the toxic substances will quickly be incorporated into the shrimp meat. Therefore, the cost of processing Antarctic krill is very high. It is not like other aquatic products that can be caught as long as they are caught.
In addition, the consumption of 5,000 tons is not only consumed by humans, but also includes the consumption of other marine life.
Antarctic krill is the main food source for most marine life in the Southern Ocean, such as whales, penguins, seals, etc., which also need to consume a large amount of Antarctic krill every year.
"The climate is a bit bad, but there's money to be made there. We only need to go once, and when we come back we might be able to drag back thousands of tons of Antarctic krill." Wu Shiwen said with shining eyes.
Xiang Yang smiled and said, "Where are you going to sell thousands of tons of krill? The dead Antarctic krill can only be ground up and made into shrimp meal for fishing. Such dead shrimp can't even be sold wholesale for one dollar per pound. Then we'll really become a cargo ship."
"So let's go as a team." He Mingde smiled and said, "We will rent an icebreaker then, and the three ships will set off at the same time. The icebreaker will be responsible for clearing the way and rescue, our drift net boat will be responsible for trawling, and your ocean-going fishing boat will be the processing mother ship. We will pay for renting the icebreaker, and when the time comes, we will split the catch equally. How about that?" He Mingde asked.
Xiang Yang raised his eyebrows. If that was the case, then this method was really feasible.
Xiang Yang still needs to think carefully about going to Antarctica.
Not every crew member is willing to work in a place covered in ice and snow.
To be precise, no crew member would be willing to work in such an icy and snowy place.
"What's the matter? Have you not caught any fish recently? Why do you have to take risks in places like Antarctica?" Xiang Yang asked puzzledly.
"Don't mention it." He Mingde shook his head and said, "On the whole, the catch is just enough to pay the crew's wages and daily expenses. Every time we go out, we lose money on fuel. If we don't take another risk in Antarctica, we may not be able to hold on."
"No matter how cold a stone is, it will become warm after three years of warming. The same goes for fishing. Why don't you just hold on a little longer?" Xiang Yang said.
"Let alone three years, even if you ask us to hold on for another half a year, we can't hold on any longer." Wu Shiwen whispered, "Brother Yang, how about you do six and we do four, and you can help us. We still have some money on hand, so we can go to Antarctica. If we wait another two months, we may not even be able to go to Antarctica."
Xiang Yang thought carefully for a moment, "Are you sure we can catch Antarctic krill by going to Antarctica? You know, going to Antarctica is not easy. First of all, the emotions of the crew members are very difficult to appease. If you let the crew members choose whether to go or not, I guess no one would be willing to go there even if they were paid double the salary."
"In our line of work, there is no such thing as certainty. If you go, you might make money, but if you don't go, you'll definitely lose money." He Mingde said with a smile, "As long as we make some money this time, it will be enough for our entire year's harvest."
"Okay, actually I also want to go to Antarctica, but I can't agree to you now. I have to discuss it with my crew members first. If they are very emotional, I really can't agree to you." Xiang Yang said.
"Okay, then we'll wait for your news." He Mingde stood up and said.
"Aren't you going to leave after having dinner?" Xiang Yang asked the guest.
"No, we still have things to do. We'll treat you next time." Wu Shiwen said.
Seeing this, Xiang Yang did not try to persuade them to stay and sent them directly to their doorstep.
After seeing off He Mingde and Wu Shiwen, Xiang Yang thought for a moment, took out his cell phone, and tagged all members in the work group, and decided to have a meeting on the boat after dinner.
At this time, there should be quite a few crew members who have gone to Huhai Town to play. Xiang Yang could ask them to come back immediately, but there is no need to do so after dinner. Don't make it so hasty.
In fact, Xiang Yang still underestimated his own appeal.
Just half an hour after the message was sent, Chen Qingsheng called Xiang Yang and said that the crew members were all on board and asked whether the meeting should be held in advance.
Chen Qingsheng did not ask Xiang Yang what the theme of the meeting was. Obviously, he had already known it in advance through other channels.
Xiang Yang immediately rushed to the boat.
When Xiang Yang arrived on the ship, the deck was already full of people. Seeing Xiang Yang coming, the crew members greeted him warmly:
"Brother Yang."
"captain."
"Captain, now that you're here, should we go to the deck or to the conference room?" Chen Qingsheng asked.
There was indeed a conference room on the ship, but it couldn't accommodate so many people. Xiang Yang said directly: "Let's go to the restaurant and sit down and talk slowly."
After they sat down in the restaurant, Fang Youqun immediately asked, "Brother Yang, what's the matter that's so urgent? Why do we need to have a meeting together?"
Xiang Yang tapped his fingers.
Suddenly everyone fell silent, looking at Xiang Yang eagerly.
Xiang Yang looked at Chen Qingsheng and asked, "Master Chen, from the look on your face, did you already know this in advance?"
Chen Qingsheng was stunned at first, then he immediately laughed dryly and said, "Old He told me about it, but I don't know much."
"So what do you mean?" Xiang Yang asked.
"I have no objection. I can do anything as long as you give the order, Captain." Chen Qingsheng said.
At this time, Fang Youqun muttered, "Brother Yang, Brother Qing, what are you talking about? We are in a meeting, why are you still playing dumb? Tell me what's going on."