Hanoi authorities have banned and removed all fish farms in the West Lake after thousands of fish died last year.

On February 28, Chu Phu My, director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced the decision during a meeting with the city Party Secretary Hoang Trung Hai and Tay Ho District authorities.

The city authorities will shut down all fish farming activities and tighten inspections into all discharges that go into the lake.

My went on to say that they are carrying out research and reviewing the potential of fisheries in West Lake to find the best solutions to ensure that fish farming in the lake can thrive while ensuring ecological balance.

Two tonnes of dead fish recovered from the West Lake

Le Van Duc, director of the Department of Construction said the chairman of Hanoi had asked agencies to propose solution to supply water to West Lake during dry season.

There is currently one waste treatment plant in the area with capacity to deal with 14,500 cubic metres per day. Duc hopes that they will be able to carry out other waste treatment projects in 2017 to completely deal with pollution in West Lake.

Last week, Tay Ho District authorities started dismantling floating houses and restaurants on the lake. Businesses are moved to Nhat Tan Ward despite their complaining about incomplete construction and possible losses.

In last October, about 200 tonnes of dead fish were recovered from the lake. Oxygen depletion and high ammonium levels 24 times higher than normal were deemed responsible for the mass fish deaths.

Dtinews