Marine farming was 'wiped out' after storm Yagi, what are people doing to recover?

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien (in white shirt) inspects a lifebuoy before donating it to local fish farmers in Quang Ninh - Photo: A. GIANG

On September 28th, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in coordination with the People's Committee of Hai Phong city, organized a conference to present donations and support for the recovery of livestock and aquaculture production in provinces affected by storms and floods.

Provide early support to help people start cultivating seaweed and oysters.

At the conference, Mr. Ngo Hung Dung, Director of Tan An Aquatic Products Joint Stock Company (Quang Ninh), said that in decades of investing in aquaculture, he had never seen a storm cause such severe damage as Typhoon No. 3 ( Yagi ).

Nearly 4,000 tons of oysters, almost ready for harvest, were completely wiped out. The company couldn't recover anything at sea. The company's two onshore oyster farms were also completely destroyed.

"The damage to aquaculture is already enormous, but to overcome it quickly, we propose that ministries, sectors, and local authorities at all levels provide rapid support to the people to focus on short-term farming, especially seaweed and oysters, to create livelihoods for the people, provide them with income, and facilitate urgent recovery."

"We must adopt a long-term strategy, instead of raising fish for up to three years before harvesting, which would make recovery difficult," Mr. Dung said.

Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong City People's Committee Nguyen Duc Tho expressed his hope that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development would provide guidance and direction to localities on procedures and infrastructure to respond to severe natural disasters, such as typhoons with gusts reaching level 17.

"Accordingly, what conditions, standards, and technologies are needed for farms, fish cages, etc., built in areas at high risk of natural disasters?" - Mr. Tho asked, and suggested that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development continue to research policies to propose to the Government to support people after natural disasters, so that they can confidently restore production.

Businesses in the aquaculture sector have pledged to provide support, including donating seeds, supplies, and cash to assist local aquaculture farmers - Photo: C. TUỆ

Regulating the transfer of aquatic species from the South to the North.

Mr. Tran Dinh Luan, Director of the Fisheries Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), stated that although we have experience in responding to storms and floods, we have learned new lessons after Typhoon No. 3. Furthermore, disaster prevention and mitigation works and infrastructure are not yet adequate to withstand strong storms.

With a powerful storm like Typhoon Yagi (Typhoon No. 3), the standards for fish cages, fishing ports, and storm shelters must be upgraded further to withstand strong winds exceeding level 12.

According to preliminary reports from local authorities in the northern provinces from Quang Ninh to Nghe An, the total area of ​​aquaculture farms affected by dike breaches and flooding is estimated at approximately 30,137 hectares. The estimated damage to aquaculture due to Typhoon No. 3 and the subsequent floods is around 6,180 billion VND.

In response to the damage, Mr. Luan said that in addition to the directives and guidelines from the Ministry, the Fisheries Department has called on associations and businesses to connect and restore production.

"Currently, 23 businesses have committed to providing seeds, feed, supplies, and cash with a total value of over 90 billion VND. Yesterday, Deputy Minister Tien handed over seaweed seeds to a cooperative in Van Don, Quang Ninh, and harvesting is expected in 3 months."

"The Research Institute for Aquaculture 1 and the Institute of Marine Products have been assigned by the Ministry to assist localities in monitoring the farming environment. Only when the environment meets the conditions and is stable should the fry be released. Rushing to release fry without thoroughly cleaning the area would lead to further losses," Mr. Luan said.

Mr. Luan also suggested that provinces like Ninh Binh and Nam Dinh direct oyster seed production facilities to increase production capacity to supply Hai Phong and Quang Ninh provinces.

"The Department will regulate so that businesses producing and trading fish fry in the South can also import fish fry from China to restore marine aquaculture," Mr. Luan said.

190 billion VND allocated to support the recovery of livestock and aquaculture.

At the conference, businesses and associations donated seeds, supplies, and cash to the aquaculture and livestock industries, totaling 190 billion VND.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien highly appreciated the support and involvement of organizations, individuals, and businesses.

This is not only about sharing and social responsibility, but also about market share and market position for businesses in their production and business activities.

With the efforts of the entire political and social system, agriculture will soon overcome difficulties and achieve the targets set by the Prime Minister.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nuoi-bien-bi-xoa-so-sau-bao-yagi-ba-con-lam-gi-de-khoi-phuc-20240928164616439.htm