Quang Ngai works on suspected illegal exploitation of antiquities at sea

SGGPO 05/22/2023 18:08

On the afternoon of May 22, the People's Committee of Quang Ngai province worked with the People's Committee of Binh Son district on the case of suspected illegal exploitation of antiquities at sea.

Mr. Pham Quang Su, Vice Chairman of Binh Son District People's Committee, reported on the situation of the suspected exploitation of antiquities in the sea.

Quang Ngai works on suspected illegal exploitation of antiquities at sea photo 1

Meeting scene on the afternoon of May 22

Previously, at around 5 p.m. on May 15, fishermen in Thanh Thuy village (Binh Hai commune, Binh Son district) discovered a fishing boat anchored about 3 nautical miles east of Thanh Thuy village, suspected of diving for illegal antiquities. After verifying the information, some residents of Binh Chau commune confirmed that there were currently diving activities for antiquities in the above sea area.

Quang Ngai works on suspected illegal exploitation of antiquities at sea photo 2

Some ceramic artifacts discovered and seized by the Border Guard force

Binh Hai Border Guard Station patrolled and discovered that at 8:00 a.m. on May 16, 3-4 fishing boats were anchored in the above area. At 1:00 p.m. on May 16, 5 fishing boats were also anchored about 3 nautical miles east-northeast of Ganh Yen cape. Many inflatable lines were being lowered into the sea, and some were being pulled up.

On May 17, the Provincial Border Guard Command, together with Binh Hai Border Guard Station, patrolled an area suspected of illegal exploitation of antiquities at sea. Thereby, they discovered a fishing boat with registration number BD-10546, captained by Mr. Nguyen Van Trien (born 1981, Phu Cat district, Binh Dinh province), with 8 crew members on board who were diving.

Upon inspection, 33 plates and 7 ceramic bowls suspected to be antiques (age and type unknown) were discovered. The patrol team made a record and temporarily seized the above evidence.

Quang Ngai works on suspected illegal exploitation of antiquities at sea photo 3

Some discovered artifacts of bowls and plates

The People's Committee of Binh Son district has directed the district police and the People's Committees of coastal communes to promptly grasp the situation and mobilize people, especially fishermen, to comply with the law and not to arbitrarily explore or illegally exploit suspected antiquities at sea.

Quang Ngai works on suspected illegal exploitation of antiquities at sea photo 4

Dr. Doan Ngoc Khoi has opinions on the necessity of identifying antiques and protection solutions according to functions and tasks.

At the meeting, Dr. Doan Ngoc Khoi, Deputy Director of Quang Ngai General Museum, said that Quang Ngai province has experience in discovering and excavating artifacts from the ancient shipwrecks of Binh Chau. Therefore, the first step is to determine whether they are artifacts and their age in order to have a direction for handling, management and protection.

Mr. Tran Hoang Tuan, Permanent Vice Chairman of Quang Ngai Provincial People's Committee, requested the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Ngai province to contact the Border Guard to clearly assess what the seized artifacts are, whether they are antiques, which items, and which years. Binh Son District continues to direct the commune level to propagate to fishermen to protect, promptly detect cases of illegal exploitation, and immediately report to Binh Hai Border Guard Station for timely handling. At the same time, based on the seized artifacts, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has proposed a plan to protect the area, evaluate and complete this week.

Mr. Tran Hoang Tuan emphasized: “The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism determines that if it is an antique, it needs to be zoned, announced, and made public for management and protection. Advise on the situation in the district, commune, and border guards on how to handle illegal exploitation in the past.”

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