VietNamNet Bridge – All the water samples taken from seaside resorts in the four central costal provinces hard hit by mass fish deaths recently are within the safe levels, according to a recent report.

A beach in the central province of Thanh Hoa. All sea water samples taken from 22 seaside resorts in four provinces were deemed safe in a recent report. – Photo: VNN

The report was published by the Viet Nam Environment Administration under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The sea water samples were taken from 22 different seaside resorts in four provinces -- Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue that have witnessed a sea of fish dead since early April.

The samples were taken from a distance of 1.5km from the seashore and from a depth of 0.3-0.5m twice a day, in the morning and in the afternoon.

Test results revealed all the samples were within the specified levels under the national norms for seaside resorts, the report says.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha has decided to check environment protection in the Vung Ang Economic Zone in Ky Anh Town in the central province of Ha Tinh.

The decision was made following the deaths of approximately 80 tonnes of fish without a clear cause along the central coast, from the Ha Tinh to Thua Thien-Hue provinces. Last Wednesday, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources had announced two suspected reasons behind this tragedy -- red tide and poisonous chemicals.

Under the decision, the deputy director of the Viet Nam Environment Administration (VEA), Hoang Van Thuc, will head the inspection team. Luong Duy Anh, an official of the VEA, and Pham Lam Son, deputy director of the Ha Tinh Department of Natural Resources and Environment, will be the deputy heads.

The inspection team will also include representatives from the ministries of public security, defence, science and technology, and agriculture and rural development, as well as industry and trade and other concerned institutes and people’s committees.

The inspection team will be divided into six sub-teams that will check the environment protection measures adopted by enterprises in the Vung Ang Economic Zone, such as the use of chemical substances and the collection, transportation and treatment of waste.

The inspection results must be reported to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment before May 25.

VNS