Official proposes to ban fishing during breeding season

Several officials proposed to tighten management on fishing and ban fishing activities during breeding season during a meeting on revising the law on fisheries.

Several officials proposed to tighten management on fishing, and ban fishing activities during breeding season during a meeting on revising the law on fisheries on March 21.

Chairman of the National Assembly’s Security and National Defence Committee Vo Trong Viet said Vietnam was proud to have rich natural resources on both land and sea, however, it lacked detailed laws to protect this as the articles and regulations are vague.

"Foreign countries ban fishing during breeding season and make it clear which type of fish can be caught and implement severe punishment for violators. But the ban in our country is vague and fishermen still go to fishing spots during breeding season which will drive the fish to extinction," he said.

  

Chairman of the National Assembly’s Security and National Defence Committee Vo Trong Viet speaks at the meeting on March 21.

Lieutenant General Pham Ngoc Minh, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and vice head of the Vietnam National Committee for Search and Rescue, said he had been to various places in Vietnam and noticed that fisheries resource was depleting fast as fishermen use explosives, chemical or electricity for mass fishing.

"In the old times, we could find and catch a lot during a day at sea. But now, there is almost no fish from Bach Long Vi to Phu Quoc islands. That's why many people illegally fish in the territorial waters of other countries. Last year, 16 boats were seized for trespassing," he said.

Minh suggested building more detailed laws about state management at fishing spots, in which seasons fishing is banned or which areas need to be preserved. More importantly, Minh said they must impose a fishing limit to prevent people from using explosive and chemical for mass fishing.

He went on to say that the quality of fishing boats must also be inspected. Over 90 boats reported being in distress at sea in the past month. Some have water leaks or had experienced collisions and suffered from huge damage.