People in Quang Dien raise fish in cages on the Bo River.

Urgent

According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tien, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Dien District, in addition to relying on circulars, regulations, and guidelines from ministries and sectors, the Tu Ha Water Plant - Thua Thien Hue Water Supply Joint Stock Company (HueWACO) has analyzed the water quality at certain times and found that some indicators in the water intake area on the Bo River were not up to standard, affecting the safe water supply for the people, such as: Organic pollution COD increased 1.76 times (1.94 mg/l), algal growth increased 17.54 times (10,000 cells/liter), and microorganisms increased 2.19 times.

Therefore, the People's Committee of Quang Dien district has decided to relocate and cease the operation of fish cages located within the sanitary protection zone of the water intake area on the Bo River for the Tu Ha clean water plant, specifically in the farming area in Ha Lang village, Quang Phu commune.

“According to statistics, there are 38 households with 121 cages for raising grass carp (of which 102 cages are made of sturdy materials (aluminum, iron), and 19 are made of netting). These households will cease their cage fish farming activities within the protected sanitary zone of the water intake area of ​​the Tu Ha clean water plant, which has been marked out – 800 meters upstream and 200 meters downstream,” informed Mr. Pham Van Loi, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Phu commune.

Recently, the People's Committee of Quang Dien district and relevant departments and agencies held a meeting and dialogue with affected fish cage farmers. During the dialogue, the people raised several issues with the leaders of Quang Dien district and HueWACO.

“We suggest that the District People's Committee and HueWACO should study and resolve the issue of water resources on the other side of the river, within the territory of Ha Lang village, Quang Phu commune, to ensure fairness,” said Mr. Hoang Huu Phuc, a household with many cages and nets for fish farming in Ha Lang village.

Another opinion suggests that HueWACO should consider investing in more water treatment equipment, instead of relocating the fish cages of local people...

The relocation will proceed according to a plan, and livelihood support will be provided to the residents.

Despite differing opinions, at the dialogue session, the People's Committee of Quang Dien district agreed on a roadmap and plan for relocating the fish cages, with the spirit of always supporting and creating conditions for people to have stable livelihoods.

Accordingly, from now until December 2025, 54 out of 121 fish cages need to be moved within a range of 400 meters upstream and 200 meters downstream. The relocation site for the fish cages is from the downstream marker to Tu Phu Bridge.

The remaining 67 net-covered fish cages, based on household statistics, will be phased out gradually each year from 2025 to 2028. The People's Committee of Quang Phu commune, the village management board, and the Ha Lang village fish cage farming cooperative will monitor and supervise the implementation. Depending on the situation, if suitable new farming locations are available, households may move their cages to the new location if needed, but must ensure compliance with regulations.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tien, Vice Chairman of the Quang Dien District People's Committee, further informed: The relocation and cessation of cage fish farming activities will impact the production and livelihoods of the people, therefore, many support solutions from the local government and relevant sectors need to be implemented. For households relocating their fish cages, support will be provided through investment in infrastructure such as embankments, transportation, electricity... at the relocation site; and support will be provided to assist people during the relocation process.

For households reducing the number of cages and eventually ceasing fish farming activities, support will be provided through vocational training and the conversion of production models according to the needs and actual conditions of each household to ensure stable livelihoods. This support will include assistance with career chuyển đổi and new production models, such as providing plant and animal breeds, supplies, and necessary conditions for production.

"The district has also requested HueWACO to provide partial financial support to households relocating and those ceasing cage fish farming to ensure the livelihoods of the people," affirmed Mr. Le Ngoc Bao, Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee and Chairman of the Quang Dien District People's Committee.

The funding needed to support vocational retraining and the cultivation of new crops and livestock for households forced to cease cage fish farming is 537 million VND, to be drawn from the State budget (district budget, national target program funds, policies supporting production development to restructure the agricultural sector, etc.) and other legally mobilized capital sources.


Text and photos: PHONG ANH