Specifically, organisations and individuals are not allowed to buy, transport, process and sell mollusks and bivalves – the local seafood specialties – from April 1 to July 31, as this time is the breeding season of shellfish.

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has informed local fishermen, ship owners and seafood traders of the ban. 

Meanwhile, the fisheries inspectorate has been asked to coordinate closely with border guards, and People’s Committees of coastal districts and communes in inspecting and punishing any violations.

Binh Thuan is known as one of the biggest fishing grounds in the country. It is home to special kinds of sea bivalves and mollusks that fetch high prices.

However, in recent years, marine resource reserves in the province have declined due to the deployment of illegal and unsustainable methods including catching fish fry, fishing during the marine creature’s reproductive season and the use of explosives.

In order to protect the resources of mollusks and bivalves, restrictions have been imposed every year since 2000 during the reproductive season.

To effectively manage the exploitation of aquatic products and to enhance the reproduction of aquatic resources, especially scallops, the province has implemented two projects on building a community management model for protection and regeneration, as well as improving the efficiency of using marine resources in the coastal areas of Tuy Phong and Ham Thuan Nam districts.-VNA