The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has asked the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh Province to place a firm ban on fishermen using the technique of high volt air compressors to catch seafood, as it can fast deplete marine life.
Earlier, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Quang Ninh Province had reported to the ministry that several fishermen were using high volt air compressors to catch fish, a highly detrimental method.
Authorized organizations in Quang Ninh Province have deterred some fishermen from applying this method to catch fish.
The technique is being applied by Chinese fishermen, who are also influencing Vietnamese fishermen to use air compressors to create strong water currents that churn the water till greater depths at sea.
If not stopped in time, this method will deplete seafood resources till the very extreme depths of the sea and cause a huge negative impact on the marine eco-system.
Border armed forces in the province have uncovered four cases, in which fishermen used air compressors to catch fish under guidance of the Chinese in April and May.
Police in Van Don District have also caught several similar cases, all guided by Chinese men.
Besides, some Chinese have resorted to hiring fishing equipment off Vietnamese fishermen to illegally catch fish in waters of Quang Ninh Province. Sometimes there are tens of such boats operating in Minh Chau, Quan Lan and Hon Chin Islands in Van Don District.
Authorized organs have only penalized these boats and seized their equipment but not prosecuted them, due to lack of sanctions.
Vu Van Tam, deputy minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, proposed to Quang Ninh Authorities to step up propaganda about seafood resources and environment protection for fishermen.
Current regulations should be amended to sustainably exploit seafood, he said.
Dang Huy Hau, deputy chairman of the People’s Committee in Quang Ninh Province, said that they have instructed authorized organs to strengthen inspections and catch and deter those using air compressors to catch fish.
The people’s committee will issue new regulations in August to heavily penalize or even prosecute those destroying marine life, he said.
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