Alarming of destructive fishing

Electric shock and machine-assisted fishing persist

The De Ghi Lagoon, spanning over 2,000 hectares and situated in the districts of Cai Minh, Cai Khanh (Phu Cat district), and the communes of My Chanh, My Thanh, My Cat (Phu My district) in Binh Đinh province, is a rich and diverse aquatic resource area, serving as the livelihood for communities residing around the lagoon. While traditional fishing methods involve both harvesting and safeguarding aquatic resources, the use of electric shock, machinery, and destructive scraping is causing a depletion of aquatic species in the lagoon, negatively impacting its ecosystem.

In recent times, despite the determined intervention of local authorities and regulatory agencies, the practice of using electric shock and machine-assisted fishing in the De Gi Lagoon has shown signs of resurgence with increased intensity.

During a recent visit to Phu Cat district, we observed in the border area between Duc Pho 1 village (Cai Minh commune) and Ngai An village (Cai Khanh commune), numerous boats with elevated frames equipped with electric shock and machine-assisted fishing gear densely scattered across the surface of the De Gi Lagoon, as if such activities were legally sanctioned.

According to Mr.Trinh Minh Binh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Cai Minh commune (Phu Cat district), there are currently 58 households in the locality engaging in electric shock and machine-assisted fishing in the De Gi Lagoon, and this issue has persisted for the past 20 years.

 Local authorities have made considerable efforts in public awareness campaigns and mobilization; households employing illegal electric shock and machine-assisted fishing have even provided written commitments and assurances. However, despite these efforts, the effectiveness of these measures remains limited.

 "To effectively combat the electric shock and machine-assisted fishing menace, the coordination of various government departments such as agriculture, border guards, and the implementation of new sanctions is crucial. Despite the local government's relentless efforts, the issue persists. The De Gi Lagoon experienced peace due to the absence of electric shock and machine-assisted fishing activities for a while, but due to inadequate enforcement, the problem has resurfaced. Recently, the district organized a meeting, clearly assigning responsibilities to each department and local authority to decisively curb this issue," shared Mr. Trinh Minh Binh.

Households engaging in electric shock and machine-assisted fishing

According to Mr. Lương Văn Khoa, Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department in Phu Cat district, a recent meeting was held by the districtial authorities to discuss solutions to curb the issue of electric shock and machine-assisted fishing in the area. Following the meeting, the district's leadership directed relevant authorities to establish a task force for regular patrols on the De Ghi Lagoon to remind, educate, and enhance awareness among the local residents to refrain from pursuing destructive fishing practices using electric shock and machinery.

Upon inspection, Phu Cat district "named" 66 households in Cat Minh commune and Cat Khanh commune engaging in illegal electric shock and machine-assisted fishing activities on the De Gi Lagoon. Specifically, Cat Minh commune had 58 households, with 43 in Duc Pho 1 village and 15 in Duc Pho 2 village, while Cat Khanh commune had 8 households, all located in Ngai An village.

According to Phu Cat authorities, most of these households using electric shock and machine-assisted fishing methods are primarily involved in aquaculture, salt production, or clam and oyster harvesting within the De Gi Lagoon. While the use of electric shock and machinery is supplementary and not a regular activity for these households, recent economic hardships have led to a resurgence of this destructive fishing method. These fishing vessels mainly operate discreetly during the night, with an average income ranging from 200,000 to 300,000 VND per night for those engaged in electric shock and machine-assisted fishing.

To address this issue, the district, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Binh Dinh province and other relevant agencies, is implementing various measures to widely disseminate information about the Law on Fisheries, especially regulations regarding prohibited fishing activities, as stipulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The goal is to help residents understand, gradually change their perceptions, and comply with the legal regulations in their fishing activities, ultimately abandoning the prohibited practice of exploiting aquatic resources.

Simultaneously, the People's Committee of Phu Cat district has instructed the People's Committees of Cat Minh and Cat Khanh communes to intensify patrol and control efforts to prevent and limit the use of electric shock and machine-assisted fishing for aquatic resource exploitation in the De Ghi Lagoon.