Unique model of protecting natural fish schools on Tien River

The Hong Ngu aquatic resources protection community group feeds wild fish twice a day, in the morning and afternoon. Photo: Nhut An/VNA

On the Tien River, in the An Thanh embankment area, Hong Ngu ward (Dong Thap province), a natural school of fish with many species of freshwater fish appeared. Local authorities and people care about protecting and feeding them every day, so the number of fish coming here is increasing, estimated to be up to tens of tons. This contributes to protecting and regenerating aquatic resources, creating a highlight to attract tourists from near and far to visit and experience feeding fish.

Every day, in the early morning and late afternoon, members of the Hong Ngu Aquatic Resources Protection Community Group come to feed the wild fish. Mr. Truong Minh Hai, Head of the Hong Ngu Aquatic Resources Protection Community Group, said that the Tien River is one of the two major rivers flowing through Dong Thap , and in the past there were a lot of fish and shrimp. However, recently, due to overfishing by local people, aquatic resources on the Tien River have decreased. More than a year ago, some species of fish were seen taking refuge in the An Thanh embankment area. Local authorities and local people protected and fed them, so they came to live in larger numbers.

In July 2024, the Hong Ngu Aquatic Resources Protection Community Group with more than 70 members (including 9 permanent members) was established. According to Mr. Truong Minh Hai, local leaders are very interested in protecting and regenerating aquatic resources. Members of the Group are representatives of organizations in the ward such as the Women's Union, Farmers' Association, Youth Union... and the people. The organizations and members of the Group regularly propagate and mobilize people not to catch natural fish; organize the release of more fish to regenerate aquatic resources. The Hong Ngu Aquatic Resources Protection Community Group and functional forces coordinate to patrol the Tien River to promptly detect and prevent illegal fishermen in the natural fish protection area.

Along with industrial food, people also feed the fish with vegetable and fruit waste collected at the market. Photo: Nhut An/VNA

The Hong Ngu aquatic resources protection community group uses bamboo fences to fence around the river wharf, raises water hyacinth to provide safe shelter for fish; installs lights, surveillance cameras and arranges people to be on duty at night to protect the natural fish on the Tien River. Thanks to good propaganda and mobilization, local people are very active in protecting the fish and contributing food.

Mr. Nguyen Thai Bang in Hong Ngu ward shared that he feels very happy when there are fish coming to live naturally and often collects leftover food from restaurants in the ward and brings it back to the fish. Because the fish have a safe place to live and eat well, they will stick to this place.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Hung in Hong Ngu ward was also very excited and proud to introduce to friends near and far one of the special features of his hometown, which is the natural river fish. In addition to participating in looking after and protecting the fish; inviting many friends to visit and mobilizing support for industrial feed for the fish, he also participated in collecting vegetable, root and fruit waste at the market to use as fish feed.

With the attention of the leaders of Hong Ngu city in the past and Hong Ngu ward at present, along with the cooperation and contribution of the people, the natural fish school on Tien river in An Thanh embankment area has developed, estimated to be up to tens of tons. The school of fish includes many species of freshwater fish such as: catfish, perch, silver carp, catfish, bream, etc. However, the majority are catfish, each fish weighs an average of 2 kg or more, occasionally there are also catfish weighing more than 10 kg. The natural school of fish is protected and fed daily, so it is very bold and can be caught easily.

Tien River Wharf in An Thanh embankment area, managed by the Hong Ngu Aquatic Resources Protection Community Group, has become a reliable and safe address, attracting many organizations and individuals to release fish and release fish to restore aquatic resources. At the end of 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ) in coordination with the People's Committees of Dong Thap, An Giang provinces and Can Tho City also chose this place to organize a fish release ceremony to restore aquatic resources. Here, organizations and individuals released about 200,000 fish fry of various types into the Tien River such as: he fish, giant catfish, tra fish, silver carp, swordfish, red tilapia, loach, etc.

The natural fish school on Tien River, in An Thanh embankment area, Hong Ngu ward is one of the destinations of the Border Colors Tourism Program in Dong Thap province. During 2 days and 1 night, tourists will visit and experience some tourist attractions in the border localities of Dong Thap province such as the Giong Thi Dam - Go Quan Cung Victory Monument; visit Nam Huong Ecological Garden; Long Khanh Cloth Weaving Village; Tra fish farming area; border marker of Moc Ra Border Control Station (belonging to Binh Thanh Border Post)...

Currently residing in the US, having recently returned to Vietnam, Ms. Cao Soi Mui and her family members visited the natural school of fish on the Tien River, in the An Thanh embankment area. Ms. Cao Soi Mui said that she had heard about this school of fish, but when she came to see it in person, she was very surprised and excited because the school of fish was more numerous than she thought, and the fish were big. Especially, she got to experience feeding the fish herself. When she spread the food down, the school of fish came up to the surface of the water, took the food, and looked very happy.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairman of Hong Ngu Ward People's Committee, with the protection of local authorities and people, the natural fish population in An Thanh embankment area is growing more and more. Through many forms, the locality actively propagates and raises people's awareness in protecting and mobilizing food sources for the fish population.

Along with that, illegal fishing in all forms is strictly prohibited within the area from Cau So Thuong river to Nguyen Tat Thanh bridge, about 3 km long. The appearance of natural fish schools on the banks of Tien river in Hong Ngu not only brings joy to local people but also contributes to the regeneration of aquatic resources and tourism development.

According to VNA

Source: https://baoapbac.vn/kinh-te/202507/doc-dao-mo-hinh-bao-ve-dan-ca-tu-nhien-tren-song-tien-1046644/