Lao Cai strives to protect aquatic resources on rivers and reservoirs.

In recent years, along with the process of socio-economic development, the aquatic ecosystem in many rivers, streams and reservoirs in Lao Cai has been under increasing pressure. In this situation, the protection and regeneration of aquatic resources has become a regular and central task of the province's agricultural and environmental sectors, in order to maintain biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods for communities living along rivers and streams.

Every year, the fish release activity to regenerate aquatic resources is organized two to three times, associated with propaganda to raise awareness of sustainable exploitation, friendly to the environment. In 2025, Lao Cai organized two releases of nearly 140,000 fish of various types at Thac Ba Lake (Yen Binh Commune) and the Red River, near the fish spawning area flowing through Bao Thang Commune. Not only did the authorities participate, many households also voluntarily socialized the source of fish, directly releasing fish, demonstrating consensus and responsibility in protecting the river ecosystem.

In this year's fish release, delegates and people released aquatic species such as: Chay fish, Common carp, Bong fish, Grass carp, Black carp into the Red River (through Bao Thang commune). The activity contributed to replenishing, restoring the population and improving the quality of the ecological environment.

People of Bao Thang commune participate in releasing fish to restore aquatic resources on the Red River.

Notably, the fish release activity to regenerate aquatic resources is implemented on the basis of coordination between the Department of Agriculture and Environment and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Lao Cai province in the field of releasing and protecting aquatic resources. In the period of 2021 - 2025, the fish release and seed release programs to regenerate resources are organized 2-4 times/year, creating a strong spread in the community. Recently, the two sides continued to sign a cooperation agreement for the period of 2026 - 2030, identifying this as a long-term task that needs to be maintained regularly in river, stream and reservoir areas with clean water environment, with sufficient growth conditions for aquatic species.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment of Lao Cai province and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Lao Cai province signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation for the period 2026 - 2030 on releasing, regenerating and protecting aquatic resources. Within the framework of the program, delegates listened to lectures on the significance of releasing animals - not only having humanistic values ​​in spiritual life, but also contributing to regenerating aquatic resources, protecting the balance of natural ecosystems, raising public awareness about environmental protection and water resources.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Lao Cai province signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in releasing animals to restore aquatic resources. Photo: Kim Thoa

In Bao Thang commune, where the Red River flows through with many natural fish spawning grounds, the significance of fish release activities is even clearer. Mr. Nguyen Trung Thanh - Chairman of Bao Thang Commune People's Committee said: The rich hydrological system has created favorable conditions for local economic development and is an important habitat for many native fish species. However, aquatic resources are declining due to narrowing habitats, declining ecosystem quality, while the use of prohibited fishing gear, exploitation during the spawning season, and catching young fish still occur in some places.

The activity of releasing animals to regenerate aquatic resources is a meaningful community initiative, combining spiritual and cultural traditions with the goal of sustainable development and environmental protection. This is a practical activity to supplement and restore the natural aquatic population in the Red River and other water bodies in the commune. Bao Thang commune recommends that communes and wards continue to strengthen propaganda so that people do not use destructive fishing methods such as electric shock, do not fish during the breeding season and do not catch young fish.

Communes and wards need to guide people to exploit the right regulations, ensuring sustainable resources; at the same time, mobilize people not to discharge polluting waste into rivers, streams, reservoirs, and preserve the natural habitat of aquatic species. In riverside and stream areas, villages need to build and implement village and community conventions on protecting aquatic resources.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Thanh - Chairman of Bao Thang Commune People's Committee.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the locality has a diverse system of rivers, streams, and reservoirs, with two major rivers, the Red River and the Chay River, and many natural and artificial lakes. This is where many rare aquatic species with high economic value are present, and there are also natural fish spawning grounds that are part of the national spawning ground system.

In 2024, the Government issued Decision 389/QD-TTg approving the Planning for the protection and exploitation of aquatic resources for the 2021-2030 period, which identified three resource protection areas and four areas with a temporary ban on exploitation on the Red River and Chay River systems in Lao Cai, from March 1 to July 31 every year.

The fish release activity to restore aquatic resources is carried out 2-3 times/year. Photo: Kim Thoa

The Provincial People's Committee has issued Plan 349/KH-UBND, as a basis for synchronously implementing solutions to protect and restore aquatic resources. Every year, fish release ceremonies to restore resources are held in many localities, contributing to raising public awareness and gradually restoring aquatic ecosystems. However, according to the assessment of the functional sector, natural resources have not increased significantly due to the narrowing of the living environment, the decline of the ecosystem, while a part of the people still violate regulations and use destructive fishing gear.

Fish release and aquatic resource regeneration activities are often carried out in river and reservoir areas with favorable environments for aquatic products to grow and develop. Photo: Kim Thoa

Mr. Nguyen Thai Binh - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment affirmed: To preserve and protect aquatic resources, it is necessary to synchronously deploy many solutions, first of all, strengthen propaganda and dissemination of laws on exploitation, develop annual plans, instruct people not to use electric shock, not to exploit during the breeding season, and not to catch young fish.

Localities need to develop village and community conventions, enhance the responsibility of management agencies and encourage people to detect and denounce violations.

Mr. Nguyen Thai Binh - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Lao Cai province.

Protecting and regenerating aquatic resources still faces many difficulties and challenges. However, with the participation of all levels and sectors and the close coordination between the government, religious organizations, businesses and people, Lao Cai is gradually forming a solid foundation for protecting the ecological environment, preserving precious natural values, and aiming for sustainable development for today and future generations.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/lao-cai-no-luc-bao-ve-nguon-loi-thuy-san-tren-cac-song-ho-chua-post888433.html