Local authorities in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh will try and enforce and end to destructive fishing practices.

The secretary of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee, Nguyen Van Doc, led an inspection team to check on fishing activities at Bai Tu Long Bay on August 5.

The secretary of the provincial party committee, Nguyen Van Doc, on August 5 led an inspection team to check on fishing activities at Bai Tu Long Bay. The team found that most local fishermen were still using illegal fishing equipment, especially a wide range of electric devices.

Doc has also ordered local agencies to intensify inspection activities as well as raise people's awareness about the consequences of overfishing and destructive fishing practices. 

In accordance with a 2013 government decree, violators face a fine from VND1 million (USD44) to VND30 million (USD1,300) depending on specific offences.

Quang Ninh Province’s Border Guard Command destroyed a large number of fishing equipment which have been banned due to their destructive effect on the marine ecosystem on March 31.

The official added that they have banned fishing in the core zone of Ha Long Bay from this year and will gradually ban all fishing activities in the Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay areas.

"We will introduce fishing tours on Ha Long Bay, which can help create jobs for fishermen who are affected by the ban," he said.

On March 31, Quang Ninh Province’s Border Guard Command destroyed a large number of seized fishing equipment including 105 electric generators, 600kg of wire, four machines, and ten home-made tasers, as well as 27 sets of batteries and other fishing equipment which have been banned due to their destructive effect on the marine ecosystem.

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