In a district of Ha Tinh, there is a 35-hectare "battlefield" with stakes planted all over the river, where what kind of animal is being raised illegally?

Recently, Cam Xuyen district (Ha Tinh) is still having difficulty dealing with the situation where people are occupying about 35 hectares of water surface to illegally plant stakes to raise oysters, causing unsafe conditions for passing boats.

Clip: 35 hectares of water surface became an "unwanted battlefield", people planted stakes everywhere to illegally farm oysters on Rac River in Cam Xuyen district (Ha Tinh).

The Garbage River, about 35-40 km long, flows through Ky Anh and Cam Xuyen districts of Ha Tinh province.

In the 2km-long river section flowing through Cam Linh and Cam Trung communes of Cam Xuyen district, people have planted thousands of concrete pillars and bamboo poles into the riverbed. They have also attached ropes and tires to create a platform for raising oysters.

The leader of Cam Xuyen District People's Committee said that statistics show that there are 78 households arbitrarily planting stakes to raise oysters on the river with a total area of ​​about 30-35 hectares.

This situation has lasted for many years, and although the authorities have propagandized and mobilized people to dismantle it, it has not been able to end.

Fisherman Nguyen Tung (60 years old, residing in Cam Linh commune) said: "The oyster stakes are a nightmare for fishermen when traveling on Rac River.

Even though I have more than 30 years of experience sailing in this area, every time I come here I have to go slowly and observe carefully if I don't want the boat to hit the oyster farm stakes and damage the boat.

Stake matrix on Rac River for illegal oyster farming in Cam Xuyen district, Ha Tinh province.

This is the anchorage and storm shelter area for many local and neighboring ships.

The illegal planting of oyster farms on the river has narrowed the waterway, making it difficult for fishermen to move their boats back and forth.

When the tide recedes, the Garbage River splits into many channels, the water surface area narrowing due to the separation of stakes. Ships moving through this area must slow down to avoid hitting the concrete.

During the storm season, many boats from other localities come here to take shelter from the storm. They can easily damage their boats when the tide is low and it is dark, difficult to see, and can easily hit the oyster farm stakes.

The People's Committee of Cam Linh commune invited households illegally raising oysters and clams to disseminate the provisions of the Fisheries Law and asked them to dismantle and restore the original state. However, the households did not comply.

In September 2024, Cam Linh commune mobilized 150 people to dismantle the system of concrete piles, bamboo piles, nets and ropes. The forces removed more than 2,000 piles on an area of ​​5 hectares, completing the treatment of 7 households. However, the treatment of the remaining area is difficult.

Not complying with local regulations, people continue to plant stakes in the riverbed to raise oysters.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy (an oyster farmer in Cam Linh commune) said that when the tide recedes, farmers bring baskets and plastic baskets to the beach to harvest oysters to sell to traders. This season, on average, I harvest from 3 to 4 quintals of oysters per day, worth nearly 1 million VND.

When the tide rises, the oyster stakes become dangerous "underground traps" for fishermen.

The widespread use of concrete piles on the Rac River has greatly affected the exploitation and fishing of aquatic products, and damaged fishing gear.

The concrete piles were firmly driven into the river, so dismantling them was very difficult and required the support of large machinery.

Tires are tied to ropes stretched across concrete pillars, and around them are oysters. Right now, it's harvest season.

Oyster farmers occupy a large area on the bed of the Garbage River.

At the foot of Cam Linh bridge, people take advantage of large concrete pillars, tying tires around them to raise oysters.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Le Ngoc Ha - Vice Chairman of Cam Xuyen District People's Committee said: "The fact that people are driving stakes to raise oysters in the middle of the river makes it difficult for the local government to handle, because this is their long-term livelihood. We have taken action many times to handle it, but it has not been thorough. The local government will continue to study solutions to both receive the consensus of the people, ensure their livelihoods and comply with legal regulations."

Source: https://danviet.vn/o-mot-huyen-cua-ha-tinh-co-tran-dia-rong-35ha-dong-coc-la-liet-tren-song-nuoi-con-gi-trai-phep-20250325083038654.htm