Verify the situation of destructive exploitation of aquatic products as reported by the Industry and Trade Newspaper

On April 19, 2024, Industry and Trade Newspaper had an article: “Thanh Hoa: Strictly handle the situation of exterminating aquatic products”. The content of the article reflects on the fact that recently, on the Lach Truong river, passing through Nam Huan village (Hoa Loc commune, Hau Loc district, Thanh Hoa province), a number of fishing boats appeared to catch seafood by pounding it. scraping (prohibited form), which risks depleting aquatic resources.

Immediately after the article was published, Mr. Cao Van Cuong, Director of the Thanh Hoa Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, directed the Thanh Hoa Fisheries Department to inspect and verify the content reported by the Industry and Trade Newspaper. .

Through the inspection and verification results of Thanh Hoa Fisheries Branch, on the morning of April 20, 2024, the Fisheries Branch coordinated with the People’s Committees of Hoang Hoa district, Hau Loc district, Hoang Truong commune, Hai Loc commune, Don Hoang Truong Border Guard and Da Loc Border Guard Station verified information and grasped the reality of the above content.

Through the opinions of representatives of Hoang Truong Border Guard Station, Da Loc Border Guard Station and some people of Hoa Loc commune, the fishing activities by trawling (crushing rakes) as reflected by the Industry and Trade Newspaper are correct.

The above fishing activities started on April 16, 2024 with about 6 fishing boats in Hoa Loc commune; Hai Loc, Hau Loc district and Hoang Yen commune, Hoang Hoa district; The average daily exploitation output is about 3-4 tons/vessel, the main exploited objects are mussels.

On April 17, 2024, when detecting illegal fishing activities, Hoa Loc Fisheries Station coordinated with Da Loc Border Guard Station, Hoang Truong Border Guard Station and local authorities, Commune Police forces in the areas The above organization organizes patrols and controls along the river, but the above-mentioned means of work are not operating. From April 18 to April 21, 2024, the phenomenon of aerial mining recurred.

However, on the morning of April 22, 2024, through monitoring by Hoa Loc Fisheries Station and Da Loc Border Guard, about 7 rafts were discovered manually for people using diving tubes to rake by hand. Mollusks (mussels) are put into bags and put on rafts to be consumed.

After discovering the interdisciplinary force including Hoa Loc commune government; Hoa Loc Fisheries Station; Da Loc Border Guard Station rented a vehicle for inspection. The inspection results showed 05 rafts in Quang Nham commune – Quang Xuong; 02 vehicles in Dien Bich and Dien Ngoc communes – Dien Chau – Nghe An are being exploited in the above form. The interdisciplinary delegation invited the above 07 vehicles to Hoa Loc Fishing Port to work.

However, due to the nature and level of severity, the gang owners themselves are aware of their behavior and coordinate with the authorities; This is also the first violation, no damage has been caused, the raft is old and is also a means of making a living, so the authorities have requested not to enter the above area to exploit, if repeat violations will be strictly handled according to regulations. regulations.

To prevent illegal fishing, leading to the risk of destruction and depletion of aquatic resources, Thanh Hoa Fisheries Department will establish an inspection team and dispatch public service ships to coordinate with The border guard force at Da Loc station and local authorities of Hoa Loc and Hai Loc communes maintain patrol, inspection and control tasks in the Lach Truong river areas.

At the same time, Hoa Loc Fisheries Station continues to coordinate with coastal border stations and authorities of Hoa Loc, Hai Loc, Hoang Yen and Hoang Truong communes to strengthen propaganda and remind fishing boat owners, Fishermen in this area strictly comply with regulations on exploiting and protecting aquatic resources. At the same time, strictly handle cases of using tugboats and prohibited occupations in river mouths and coastal areas according to regulations.

Talking to reporters from Industry and Trade Newspaper, Mr. Cao Van Cuong, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Thanh Hoa province said: The Department has directed the Fisheries Sub-Department to coordinate with functional agencies and local authorities. , if cases of destructive fishing are discovered, they must be resolutely dealt with strictly.