Gov’t to organize press conference on causes of mass fish deaths

June 30, 2016 | 16:13

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The Government's determination to identify and publish the official causes of mass fish deaths in the central coast demonstrates its care to citizens and its rule of law spirit.

Leaders of relevant ministries will co-chair a press conference, starting from 5pm on June 30 to release the official causes of mass fish deaths in the central coastal provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue.

The abnormal incident began in April 6 near the Vung Ang Industrial Park in Ky Anh District, Ha Tinh Province, then expanding to the other provinces.

A total of 70 tons of fish living far offshore and in the deep were found dead on beaches of the four provinces. In Thua Thien Hue alone, 35 tons of fish raised by farmers died mysteriously.

Considering this incident as a serious environmental breakdown, the Vietnamese Government asked for involvement of a number of ministries and 100 local and foreign scientists to identify the causes in a careful and scientific manner.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Deputy PMs and ministers led delegations on fact-finding tours to Ha Tinh to direct investigation work and find measures to support affected residents.

Particularly, PM Phuc tasked ministries to invite independent experts to join hands before official announcement of causes, which reflects the Government’s determination to bring the case into light as well as its rule of law spirit.

All evidence and any signs of criminal crime must be traced regardless of any organization and individual, said PM Phuc while presiding over a meeting with leaders of the four provinces on May 1.

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

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.

In the first quarter this year, the country earned US$1.47 billion from aquaculture exports, up 7.4% against the same period last year. The total figure in 2015 was estimated at US$6.7 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 14.5%.

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