Quang Ninh (VNA) - Over-fishing is fast depleting Quang Ninh’s marine resources, but thenortheastern province has not been able to tackle it effectively.

Home to the world-renownedUNESCO heritage site of Ha Long Bay, fisheries is a major economic sector for QuangNinh.

However, despite being along-standing problem that the local administration has paid attention to,“marine resources are being adversely impacted by harmful, over-exploitativefishing practices,” said Dang Huy Heu, Vice Chairman of the Quang Ninh People’sCommittee, told a regular meeting of the People’s Council’ last week.

According to latestestimates, there are currently some 7,500 active fishing vessels in theprovince, more than 90 percent of them of small capacity. Seventy percent ofthe vessels are boats powered by 20CV engines. They operate mostly innear-shore areas in Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Co To Island.

The Worldwide Wildlife Fund(WWF) has repeatedly warned against trawling and other fishing methods thatdon’t allow for any release of the catch, meaning that a lot of small fish andsea creatures like coral or turtles not fit for consumption (bycatches) arenetted with the main catch, seriously depleting seafood resources.

The emergence of severaldangerous and destructive forms of fishing that involve explosives, electricalpulses, pressure pumps and rakes are also destroying marine ecology anddiversity.

Nguyen Huu Giang, head ofthe provincial agriculture department, said that apart from awareness raisingcampaigns, the department has also organised restocking of baby fish in theseas to replenish the province’s marine resources.

The province has dealt withmore than 1,000 violations thus far wherein vessels outfitted with destructivefishing tools have been decommissioned and total fines of 3.8 billion VND (167,000USD) issued.

However, Giang said theauthorities’ efforts are thwarted by resistance from offenders, low awarenesson the need to protect marine resources, as well as understaffing issues thatprevent consistent, regular inspections.

Participants said at themeeting that the province should continue to focus on replenishing its marineresources and attract private sector investment in building large-scale,hi-tech aquatic breeding centres.

“The Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development has agreed to allow Quang Ninh to establish amollusk production area for the northern region, located in Van Don. When eproduction starts in 2019, breeding supply will be ensured,” Giang said at themeeting.

Other members of thePeople’s Council also urged measures to “settle livelihood issues” ofsmall-scale and near-shore fishermen when their sole means of livelihood isdiscouraged.

“There must be policies toprovide training for these fishermen for different jobs in service sectors, orproviding support and arming them with necessary skills to engage in offshorefishing or aquaculture production,” said Nguyen Van Doc, Secretary of theprovincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council.

Starting next year, theprovince plans to impose a total ban on fishing in certain sea areas –including the core zone of Ha Long Bay, the Bai Tu Long National Park and othermarine reservations.  
A provincial-levelfisheries resources surveillance force would also be established, instead ofrelying on the central government’s agency, the meeting heard.-VNA