Vietnam Net Bridge
Nguyen Huu Hai, a fisherman in An Giang Province’s Vinh Hoi Dong Commune, told Tuoi tre (Youth) newspaper that the provincial authority has banned all fishing activities on the Tien and Hau rivers between early June and late August. The ban aims to protect species, such as blue-legged shrimps and cyprinid fish from being eradicated during the rainy season.
Since early June, Vinh Hoi Dong Commune’s People’s Committee has seized three fishing nets installed illegally by local fishermen. However, Hai said, the authority’s ban until the end of August is too long and unnecessary.
Hai said he had been fishing for seven years, and the best time to catch fish is from mid-July when water levels at local rivers rise significantly due to heavy downpours. This year, local fishermen will only be allowed to install their fishing nets in September. By that time, cyprinid fish which have gotten old will fetch VND6,000 less per kilo than the high-season prices of VND40,000 -50,000.
Hai said the local authority should allow fishermen to use nets with a mesh size that enables small and young fish to escape, instead of banning fishing entirely for such a long period. This would help ensure fishermen’s income and protect biodiversity.