PM works with local authorities on mass fish deaths

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc asks for seeking causes of the mass fish deaths in an objective, honest, cautious and quick manner. Photo: VGP

The event also drew the attendance of Deputy PMs Vu Duc Dam and Trinh Dinh Dung, leaders of the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Industry and Trade, Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Technology, Information and Communications, Health, Public Security, National Defense, the State Bank of Viet Nam, the Government Office.

Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung reported that right after the incident, the PM had drastically requested relevant ministries, agencies, and localities to figure out roots and conduct emergency relief for victims. Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung and some ministers had fact-finding tours to affected areas.

So far, the PM and Deputy PMs have issued eight guiding documents focusing on (1) defining the causes; (2) supporting local people to overcome the consequences, quickly stabilize lives, and restore production; (3) maintaining social order; and (4) ensuring environmental protection.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha said that the Ministry had already installed observatory instruments in Vung Ang to control pollution levels in the water area.

Seawater environment in central provinces is completely safe, he confirmed.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien informed that in Quang Binh and Ha Tinh provinces, a lot of fresh seafood samples and vegetables were collected for analysis. All indicators were at safe levels for human health, she added.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat announced that seawater is harmless for aquatic cultivation but central provinces needs to closely monitor abnormal changes.

Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh revealed that the ministry had mobilized leading scientists to make objective conclusion on mass fish deaths.

Addressing the meeting, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc called mass fish deaths a “serious environmental breakdown” which strongly affected residents in the central provinces.

He tasked sectors and localities to avoid any similar incident, prevent hunger, and create favorable way for fishermen to maintain fishing as normal.

PM Phuc tasked the Ministry of Science and Technology to work with the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology, competent agencies, or even invite foreign scientists to figure out the real causes of mass fish deaths in an objective, honest, cautious and quick manner.

The Ministry of Public Security was assigned to collect all evidence and trace any signs of criminal crime regardless any organization or individual.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and localities were asked to tighten control of coastal production sites to prevent discharging of polluted substances to the environment.

The Ministry of Health takes prime responsibility for cooperating with relevant agencies to assess impacts of seafood on human health.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade was requested to regulate purchasing of offshore seafood.

He also agreed to provide 4,500 tons of rice relief for fishermen with 15kgs per person in one and a half month as well loans free of charges within six months for building ships for offshore fishing.

RELATED CONTENTS:
	Timely financial aids on way to affected fish farmers
	Formosa representative nets termination with “fish or steel” comment
	Initial findings on mass dying of fish inconclusive
	Formosa representative repents “trade-off” comment