The Tien River in Hong Ngu City, Dong Thap province, became vibrant on October 11 as 200,000 fish fry, including catfish and yellow catfish species, were released. This activity is a part of the fisheries regeneration program, one of the top priorities of MARD in recent years.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Minister of MARD, emphasized: “The release of fish fry to regenerate fisheries resources not only helps protect the ecological environment but also contributes to the sustainable development of our fisheries sector. The Mekong Delta region, with its unique aquatic resources, requires comprehensive solutions to address the challenges posed by climate change and illegal fishing activities.”
According to Deputy Minister Tien, amid the severe depletion of fish resources due to overfishing, increasing the release of fry is necessary. By 2024, the total area of fisheries conservation and development zones has reached 500,000 hectares, a 12% increase compared to 2020, demonstrating the continuous efforts of the government and local authorities in preserving natural resources.
Dong Thap is one of the provinces with a favorable geographical location for fisheries development, with a dense network of rivers and canals. This event signifies the close cooperation between Dong Thap, An Giang, Can Tho City, and MARD in preserving and regenerating fisheries resources, demonstrating the local authorities’ commitment to developing the economy while protecting the environment.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Huynh Minh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Thap province, announced that in 2024, the province was honored to host the rotational interprovincial fish fry release event for An Giang - Dong Thap - Can Tho, aimed at achieving sustainable fisheries development alongside environmental protection.
"Our locality has always successfully implemented the Prime Minister's directives, focusing on activities such as investigating the fish resources in the province’s aquatic environments, building co-management organizations for fish resources at the local level, and releasing fry to regenerate and develop fisheries resources,” said Mr. Tuan.
He added that, for Dong Thap, fisheries are not only a significant source of income for farmers but also an essential part of the province's sustainable economic development strategy. “We are committed to protecting and regenerating fish resources to ensure a balance between economic development and environmental conservation,” Mr. Tuan stated.
According to Mr. Tuan, since the beginning of 2024, Dong Thap province has released over 1 million fish fry into various rivers and streams in the region. This activity has not only improved the livelihoods of riverside residents but also helped restore the natural habitats of rare and endangered fish species.
Challenges and Solutions in Fisheries Resources Regeneration
Despite the positive results, the fisheries resources regeneration program faces numerous challenges. According to Mr. Tran Dinh Luan, Director of the Fisheries Department, one of the major issues is the difficulty in controlling illegal fishing activities. Despite stricter regulations, activities such as electric fishing, explosives, and drag nets still occur in some areas, causing severe depletion of natural fish resources.
Mr. Luan stressed: “Fisheries regeneration can only succeed when we combine fry release with controlled exploitation. Additionally, it requires active participation from the public, local authorities, and regulatory agencies. In the coming time, the Fisheries Department will continue to cooperate with relevant units to strengthen monitoring and strictly handle violations.”
In the context of increasingly complex climate change, the protection of fish resources is more urgent than ever. According to forecasts from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, global temperatures could rise by 1.5°C by the end of this century, significantly affecting the livelihoods of coastal communities and areas dependent on fish resources.
Sustainable Development Plan for the Fisheries Sector
To address these challenges, MARD has formulated a sustainable development plan for the fisheries sector for the 2024–2030 period, in which fisheries resources regeneration plays a crucial role. By 2025, Vietnam’s total fisheries production is projected to reach 10 million tons, with aquaculture accounting for 70%, and the remaining from fishing. Particularly, key areas like the Mekong Delta will continue to receive investments in infrastructure, aquaculture techniques, and fisheries resources regeneration.
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Photo 2: Director of Fisheries Department Tran Dinh Luan releasing fish into the Tien River.
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According to the plan, MARD aims to release over 5 billion fish fry into the country’s seas, rivers, and reservoirs from now until 2025. The release will be strategically planned and linked with water environment protection, prevention of illegal fishing activities, and the establishment of marine conservation areas.
To achieve this goal, not only state management agencies but also local residents play an important role. Several community-based fisheries management models have been successfully implemented in Dong Thap and other provinces in the Mekong Delta, yielding significant results in reducing illegal fishing activities.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tam, a fisherman in Hong Ngu City, shared: “In the past, overfishing depleted fish resources. But since the province launched the regeneration program, our fishing community has become aware of the importance of environmental and fish resources protection. Now, people strictly follow the regulations on fishing and fry release.”
Statistics from the Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee show that the rate of illegal fishing violations in the province decreased by more than 20% in 2024 compared to 2023, thanks to the close cooperation between functional agencies and local residents.
The release of 200,000 fish fry in Hong Ngu City is not only a symbolic act but also a concrete step contributing significantly to Vietnam’s fisheries regeneration efforts. With the efforts of the government, fishing communities, and management agencies, Vietnam’s fisheries sector is on a sustainable development path, ensuring a balance between economic growth and environmental conservation.
On this occasion, the organizers also handed over the rotating flag for hosting the interprovincial fish fry release event for An Giang - Can Tho - Dong Thap in 2025 to the People’s Committee of An Giang province.
Hai Dang