• It is necessary to prevent the exploitation and fishing of freshwater fish using electric shock devices.
  • Ms. Tran Thu Ba: Earning millions from making fish sauce
  • Calling for investment of 400 million USD to build the Mekong Delta Fisheries Center
  • Raising responsibility to restore fish resources

This positive signal comes from the implementation results of Directive No. 17-CT/TU dated February 26, 2024 of the Provincial Party Standing Committee (Directive 17), on strengthening the leadership of Party committees at all levels in preventing destructive exploitation of aquatic resources in the province; Directive No. 10/CT-UBND dated November 15, 2023 of the Provincial People's Committee Chairman on strengthening the management of destructive and exhaustive exploitation of aquatic resources in the province.

Tran Van Thoi commune once had a rainy season but no fish due to chemical pesticides, power outages, and overexploitation... Since Directive 17 was issued, signs of recovery have begun to appear. The Directive requires localities in the province to step up measures to restore inland aquatic resources by planning natural breeding areas, banning overexploitation, and raising community awareness.

In particular, in Tran Van Thoi Commune, there is a dense system of low-lying fields, fallow ponds and canals. The implementation of the directive is carried out synchronously from the commune to the hamlet, from cadres to farmers. According to the functional sector of Tran Van Thoi Commune, since the beginning of the year, the commune has incorporated 49 propaganda meetings with 2,026 listeners; established 4 new hotlines; mobilized the handover of 27 electric shock kits; patrolled and inspected, discovered 12 cases of violations of storing and using electric shocks , handled administrative violations of 56.5 million VND, confiscated and destroyed 13 electric shock kits.

Along with that is the participation of the entire political system, creating positive changes, receiving high consensus and support from the majority of people. The work of protecting aquatic resources; propagating and disseminating legal regulations is focused on and implemented. Thereby, people's awareness and consciousness of protecting aquatic resources are raised. The fish resources are gradually restored compared to before.

The resources of freshwater fish are on the way to recovery, with species such as: giant freshwater fish, snakehead fish, sea perch, swamp perch, goby fish, snakehead fish...

In the flooded fields in Da Bac commune, Mr. Le Thanh Tung, a farmer who has been engaged in the profession of setting traps for more than 20 years, excitedly boasted: “A few years ago, catching 3-4 snakehead fish was very valuable. This year, setting 10 traps, sometimes we can catch a kilo of fish. Our people do not overfish, the water source is clean, and we do not discharge fertilizers or pesticides, so the fish stay and reproduce.”

Mr. Tung also said that in the past, some people used electricity to kill fish to make a living. Recently, with regular propaganda and seeing the long-term benefits, many people have voluntarily given up this destructive profession and switched to traditional fishing methods, exploiting them seasonally.

Not stopping at exploitation, Directive 17 also created momentum for Tran Van Thoi Commune to develop livelihood models based on inland aquatic resources. Dried fish and freshwater fish sauce processing facilities are increasingly springing up in communes along major roads. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Diem, owner of a dried freshwater fish facility in Tran Van Thoi Commune, shared: "Before, there was little fish, so I had to import fish from Dong Thap and An Giang to dry. Now, freshwater fish are enough for use and are fresh. Saigon customers love my freshwater fish sauce and dried loach fish, they have long-term relationships."

Not only creating more jobs for rural women, the model of making fish sauce and dried fish locally also helps increase the value of agricultural products, closely associated with the identity of the river countryside. At the same time, some communes such as Da Bac and Khanh Hung have also begun to include the experience of taking pictures of ponds, setting fishing lines, setting traps, and traps to catch fish in the fields... in community tours.

Many tourist attractions organize experiences of catching fish, fishing, and reenacting pond photography to attract visitors and promote local fish resources.

However, according to experts, although the fish resources in Tran Van Thoi Commune have gradually been restored, there are still many challenges, such as: unusual changes in weather, pressure on agricultural production towards the market and in some places, community awareness has not changed strongly.

In Tran Van Thoi Commune, people have seen the "sweet fruit" of adjustments in exploitation associated with regeneration, where the freshwater fish season is gradually returning. freshwater fish is not only food but also a story, a memory of many generations and a connection point between people in their homeland's fields./.

Vu Linh

Source: https://baocamau.vn/nguon-loi-ca-dong-dan-khoi-phuc-a121864.html