Adjusting the collection level of fees for using sea areas to increase competitiveness for the fisheries industry

In recent years, Quang Ninh has identified marine aquaculture as a key development direction. However, after 4 years of implementing the policy of allocating and collecting fees for using marine areas, some difficulties have arisen, especially with large-scale marine aquaculture. Faced with this reality, the Department of Agriculture and Environment (formerly the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) has proposed that the Provincial People's Committee adjust the collection level to unlock resources and attract investment. Reporters of Quang Ninh Newspaper, Radio and Television had an interview with Mr. Nguyen Minh Son, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, on this issue.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Son, Director of Department of Agriculture and Environment.

- Decision No. 28/2021/QD-UBND of the Provincial People's Committee issued in May 2021 regulating the collection rate of fees for using sea areas has been implemented for more than 4 years. Could you please tell us about the results of sea area allocation in the past time and the impact of the current collection rate on organizations and individuals?

+ According to Decision No. 28/2021/QD-UBND, the fee for using sea areas is applied to 5 groups of activities: Sinking; building seaports, floating ports, offshore oil and gas ports and other ports and wharves; building cable cars, floating and underground works, reclaiming land, artificial islands, civil works and other works at sea; building underground pipeline systems, installing telecommunication cables, electric cables; aquaculture, building fishing ports. In which, aquaculture applies the maximum level according to the Government 's price frame of 7.5 million VND/ha/year.

As of May 30, 2025, the tax authority has received 21 decisions on sea area allocation from competent authorities, mainly to enterprises and cooperatives, with a total amount payable of nearly VND 85 billion; to date, more than VND 8.15 billion has been collected, with about VND 76.78 billion remaining (part of which has not yet reached the due date, or has been extended).

Through practical implementation, the inter-sectoral sector has found that the collection level applied to aquaculture under Decision 28/2021/QD-UBND is not suitable for socio-economic conditions, as well as the production characteristics of the aquaculture industry which depend on nature and have high risks. Typically, storm No. 3 in 2024 caused heavy damage, and aquaculture activities have not yet fully recovered.

With the current maximum collection rate, the cost of using the sea area accounts for 15-25% of the total direct production cost, with some projects accounting for nearly 30%, creating great pressure on organizations, reducing economic efficiency and investment attraction, especially in the context of the fisheries industry being continuously affected by natural disasters. On the contrary, if adjusted down to 4 million VND/ha/year (the minimum level in the framework prescribed in Point d, Clause 1, Article 34 of Decree 11/2021/ND-CP, dated February 10, 2021 of the Government), the cost only accounts for 8-13.3% of the total direct production cost. This will increase the ability to attract investment, encourage large-scale, modern marine farming models, thereby positively contributing to the growth of the province's agriculture, forestry and fishery sector.

Quang Ninh fishermen raise fish in cages in Cam Pha sea area. Photo: Viet Hoa

- Based on the above reality, on August 11, the Department of Agriculture and Environment issued document No. 6872/SNN&MT-CCBTS proposing the Provincial People's Committee to adjust the fee collection level for using the sea area. Could you clarify the content and basis of this proposal?

+ Through reviewing and working directly with aquaculture households, we found that the proposal to reduce the collection rate is reasonable, in line with the sentiments of the locality, businesses and people. In fact, many provinces with strengths in marine aquaculture such as Kien Giang and Thanh Hoa are also applying a collection rate of 4 million VND/ha/year; Khanh Hoa flexibly applies 4-7.5 million VND/ha/year depending on the area, and at the same time, the National Assembly has allowed a special mechanism of long-term exemption and reduction to attract investment.

Legally, Clause 2, Article 34 of Decree No. 11/2021/ND-CP stipulates that the Provincial People's Committee shall issue specific collection rates every 5 years, based on the price framework and socio-economic conditions. Meanwhile, Decision No. 28/2021/QD-UBND has only been implemented for 4 years and 7 months, so the amendment and supplementation in the period of 2021-2026 is completely appropriate, especially when arising issues need to be handled promptly.

Therefore, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has issued a document proposing and recommending the Provincial People's Committee to reduce the collection rate for the aquaculture group and the construction of fishing ports to 4 million VND/ha/year and extend the validity from May 25, 2021 to May 24, 2026, ensuring the full 5-year cycle as prescribed. The reduction in collection rate is not only to remove immediate difficulties for businesses, but also a strategic step to increase the competitiveness of the Quang Ninh seafood industry. When the cost burden is shared reasonably, investment resources will be released, creating momentum for the development of modern and sustainable marine farming areas, contributing to realizing the province's aspiration to reach out to the sea.

Thank you very much!

Hoang Nga (Implementation)

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/dieu-chinh-muc-thu-tien-su-dung-khu-vuc-bien-de-gia-tang-suc-canh-tranh-cho-nganh-thuy-san-3371941.html