The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment yesterday claimed the waters off four central coastal provinces was now safe, following the mass fish deaths last week.
The test results were a summary of inshore sea water indexes at beaches in the four provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue conducted by the Centre for Environmental Monitoring.
The tests were done following massive fish deaths reported along beaches in these four provinces, which has raised public concerns that the Taiwanese-owned Formosa steel plant had been responsible for huge toxic discharges. Up to 70 tonnes of dead fish were reported as of April 25.
Dead fish in a beach in Ha Tinh Province
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha said that based on the national standards for sea water quality, the sea water at beaches of the provinces were within permitted levels and claimed were totally safe for bathing.
According to the minister, the ministry had co-operated with the four provinces to take daily water samples for testing.
Meanwhile, at a meeting between the Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat and Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said that all kinds of fish and seafood caught offshore the central coast have been tested safe.
Tests are also being done on the four central coastal province's aquaculture areas to detect unusual phenomenon, said Minister Phat.
The prime minister urged ministers to find ways to allow fishermen to resume fishing, while assigning the Ministry of Science and Technology to work with ministries and sectors to probe the causes of the fish deaths and call upon foreign experts if necessary.
Violations by any organisation or individuals must be brought to light based upon scientific evidence. The government was determined to protect the legitimate interests of residents, he added.
Additionally, fishermen would be assisted, in terms of materials and selling fish, the government leader claimed.
On April 27, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment announced the results of initial investigations into the incident, blaming it on toxic chemicals released by human activities on land or at sea, along with the red tie phenomenon - when dangerous algae occurs at an abnormal rate and produces toxins.
Following the massive fish deaths, demonstrations were organised in Hanoi, HCM City and Ha Tinh blaming the Formosa Steel Plant for toxic discharges.
