Vietnam Fisheries Association opposes attack on fishermen

Chairman of Vietnam Fisheries Association Tran Van Quy has signed an official document to oppose and condemn the attacks they said were carried out by Chinese vessels on two local fishing boats in Quang Ngai Province.

Chairman of Vietnam Fisheries Association Tran Van Quy has signed an official document to oppose and condemn the attacks they said were carried out by Chinese vessels on two local fishing boats in Quang Ngai Province.

  

Local authorities inspected a fishing boat after it was attacked in Quang Ngai Province.

According to Binh Chau Commune Fisheries Association, on August 7, 2017, a fishing boat led by Bui Ngoc Lanh was working at a fishing spot off the Paracel Islands when they were approached by a Chinese vessel. The Chinese then jumped onto their boat, attacked the fishermen, destroyed the equipment before leaving the boat sinking.

Lanh and his crew were saved by another fishing boat nearby.

On August 18, a fishing boat led by Huynh Van Khanh was also attacked by a Chinese vessel at the same location. They were beaten and their equipment was destroyed. The crew were rescued by another local fishing boat while their boat was sinking.

The total damage to the two boats is estimated to be VND6bn (USD264,000).

"The attacks have seriously threatened the life, assets and normal activities of the fishermen as well as the member of the fisheries associations. We strongly oppose and condemn those attacks," the Vietnam Fisheries Association wrote in the document.

The association encourages fishermen to continue fishing, unite and support each other while avoiding unnecessary and dangerous conflicts. They also asked state agencies to voice their opposition and adopt measures to protect the fishermen.