The long-awaited confirmation that Formosa were responsible for the mass fish deaths that blighted four central region provinces has offered a silver lining for fishing communities.
Abandoned boats
Nguyen Huu Thong, former party secretary of Ha Tinh Province said, "The government showed determination to find the culprit after the mass fish deaths. And now they have given us the long-awaited final conclusion. This will greatly boost the people's trust."
Quang Tri, one of the provinces that have been affected by the mass fish death, reported that fish catches had fallen by 16,000 tonnes over the first six months compared to the same period last year. Hoang Linh, a fisherman in Ha Tinh Province, said their boats had been abandoned for a long time.
He said, "Few crews have continued going out to the sea. Thanks to government's support including 22kg rice a head and USD227 a boat that we still have something to eat. Previously, a group of four to five boats could earn USD136 a day but now USD45 is considered a good return."
Vice chairman of Thach Kim Commune Tu Duc Be said they had provided 193 tonnes of rice to 8,000 people and was planning to provide an additional 570 tonnes. Fishermen have started going out to the sea again and want to be compensated.
Fishermen return to the sea
Tran Van Linh, a boat owner in Thua Thien-Hue Province, said fishermen there started working again about the month ago thanks to support policies. They had caught nearly three tonnes of fish and were able to sell it all.
Meanwhile, many people have expressed desire to have a clean beach and sea again.
People want to have clean beach and sea again
Fisherman Nguyen Van Thoach said, "No matter how high the compensation is, it will be used up one day. We want to know when the water will be clean and safe so that we can continue our job. It's also for the future of our children too."
Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh Limited Company Chairman Chen Yuan Cheng issued an apology on June 30, admitting responsibility for the mass fish deaths in four central coastal provinces. Formosa promised compensation of USD500m and that it would resolve the environmental impacts and have adopt solutions to protect the environment
