Dong Thap people protect and care for natural fish on Tien River

DTO - For over a year, 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 has appeared. Local authorities and people have been concerned about protecting and feeding the fish every day, so the number of fish coming here has increased, estimated at tens of tons. This has contributed to protecting and regenerating aquatic resources, creating a "highlight" for the locality, attracting tourists from near and far to visit and experience feeding the fish.

Natural fish protection area on Tien River - An Thanh embankment area, Hong Ngu ward

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: “Tien River is one of the two major rivers flowing through Dong Thap , in the past there were a lot of fish and shrimp. However, in recent times, due to overfishing by people, aquatic resources on Tien River have decreased. More than a year ago, we noticed that some species of fish were taking refuge in the An Thanh embankment area. The local government and 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: Women's Union, Farmers' Association, Youth Union... and people. 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.

The Hong Ngu aquatic resources protection community group uses bamboo fences to fence around the river wharf, raises water hyacinth so that the fish have a safe place to live; 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 work, local people are very active in protecting the fish and contributing food for them. Mr. Nguyen Thai Bang in Hong Ngu ward shared that he feels very happy when there are natural fish coming to live. Every day, he collects leftover food from restaurants in the ward and brings it back to the fish. Because he thinks that if they 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. Mr. Hung said that he participates in looking after and protecting the fish; invites friends to visit and mobilizes support for industrial feed for the fish. In addition, he also collects vegetable, root and fruit waste at the market to use as fish feed.

The Hong Ngu aquatic resources protection community group feeds the wild fish twice a day, in the morning and afternoon.

With the attention of the leaders of Hong Ngu City (formerly) and Hong Ngu Ward at present, along with the cooperation and contribution of the people, the natural fish population on Tien River in An Thanh embankment area has developed, estimated to be up to tens of tons. The fish population includes many freshwater fish species such as: catfish, perch, silver carp, catfish, and mullet... However, the majority are catfish, with an average weight of 2kg or more per fish, and occasionally a catfish weighing more than 10kg appears. The natural fish population 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 regenerate aquatic resources. At the end of 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ) coordinated with the People's Committees of Dong Thap, An Giang and Can Tho City to choose this place to organize a fish release ceremony to regenerate 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...

The natural fish school on Tien River, in An Thanh embankment area, Hong Ngu ward is one of the destinations of the "Colors of the Border Area" 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: Giong Thi Dam - Go Quan Cung Victory Monument; visit Nam Huong Ecological Garden; Long Khanh weaving village; tra fish farming area; border marker of Moc Ra Border Control Station (belonging to Binh Thanh Border Post)...

Settling 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 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 water surface, took the food, it was very fun to watch.

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 So Thuong bridge to Nguyen Tat Thanh bridge, about 3km long. The appearance of natural fish populations 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.

Nhat An

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/xa-hoi/nguoi-dan-dong-thap-bao-ve-cham-soc-dan-ca-tu-nhien-tren-song-tien-132930.aspx