The quality of sea water environment and marine sediments in observed areas in the north central region remains within permissible level and meets standards for beaches, water sports, seafood farming and aquatic conservation.
The statement was made by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment this morning at a conference in Dong Ha city, Quang Binh province. It was hosted to announce sea environment situation in four north central provinces suffering mass fish deaths due to wastewater discharge from Taiwanese Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh steel company in April.
The conference was attended by Minister Tran Hong Ha and representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Health, central agencies and leaders of the four affected provinces including Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue.
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment , observations in the waters off the four provinces and coastal areas have been conducted in accordance with Vietnam’s regulations and international practice.
Waters areas 1.5 kilometers off Son Duong island of Ha Tinh, Nhat Le estuary of Quang Binh and Son Cha island of Thua thien Hue see some environmental parameters higher than in other areas. However they still remain within permissible limits. Observation and close and regular supervision need to be continued in these areas.
Pollutant concentrations have been on reduction trend thanks to the tight control over discharge sources from Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh Company and natural self-cleaning mechanism. Coral reefs, seagrasses and seafood resources in the region have showed signs of positive recovery.
Professor Mai Trong Thuan from the National University in Hanoi said that analyzing results of sea water samples show within permissible levels of physical and chemical parameters, nutrition, heavy metals and organic compounds and total coliforms.
Mr. Thuan was speaking on behalf of a group of researchers who have conducted surveys in the north central region waters. They took and analyzed 1,080 samples in May, 331 in June and 68 in August
Observation data from the Ministry of Health from April 28 to August 8 also show that the contents of some pollutants in seafood have reduced.
In the upcoming time, the ministry will work with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to continue monitoring seafood quality caught in waters where the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment have announced to be safe.
The ministries will also continue tight supervision over discharge sources from Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh.
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