Regenerating and protecting aquatic resources for sustainable livelihoods

Create diverse ecosystems

Ca Ninh water coconut forest (Binh Phuoc commune, Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province) has diverse aquatic resources, with the bottom of the river being mud, which is very suitable for shrimp to breed and develop. In addition to shrimp and fish, this river branch is also home to many other brackish water creatures such as carp, don, dop, etc. This river section has therefore raised many generations of Ca Ninh people thanks to the seafood fishing profession. However, in recent years, aquatic resources in the coconut forest have been increasingly depleted.

*Quang Ngai releases fish fry to contribute to regenerating aquatic resources and creating livelihoods for local people.*

In order to regenerate aquatic resources, create ecological balance and biodiversity for this potential water area, and contribute to raising awareness of the community about the importance of better protecting aquatic resources, Quang Ngai province has recently carried out thousands of mullet, crab and tiger prawn fingerlings in the Ca Ninh coconut forest area. The source of shrimp, crab and fish fingerlings is taken from Duc Pho Freshwater Aquatic Seed Production Experimental Farm. These are shrimp, crab and fish breeds with economic value, adapted to local natural conditions, reproduce and develop quickly in the natural environment.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Son (59 years old, Ca Ninh hamlet, Phu Long 3 village, Binh Phuoc commune) said: “Some people from other places have used electric shock to fish, depleting aquatic resources. I think it is very meaningful for the agricultural sector to release fish into this area. We will protect these fish and fish more scientifically so that the fish can reproduce, bringing benefits to many people.”- Mr. Son said.

Similarly, in the Bau Ca Cai mangrove forest area, people have also formed awareness in protecting aquatic resources, avoiding indiscriminate exploitation. From there, gradually developing community tourism, increasing their income. “People in the area often remind each other to protect shrimp and fish during the breeding season, not to catch small ones, waiting until they are mature to catch them.

*In 2023, the locality will allocate more than 600 million VND and mobilize social resources to release about 2 million juveniles.*

People benefit

According to the Department of Fisheries of Quang Ngai province, in 2022, more than 1 million juveniles were released into rivers, irrigation and hydroelectric works in the area. In 2023 alone, the locality also allocated more than 600 million VND and mobilized social resources to release about 2 million juveniles to contribute to the regeneration of aquatic resources and create livelihoods for people, especially those living around hydroelectric reservoirs.

Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Ngai province, Ho Trong Phuong, said that every year, the province allocates funds from the budget to carry out the work of releasing seeds to restore aquatic resources, with the goal of raising people's awareness in joining hands with the government to exploit reasonably, associated with the development of aquatic resources that are at risk of depletion, and at the same time making aquatic resources reproduce and develop, in order to create livelihoods and ensure income for people in river and lake areas.

In addition to releasing fish fry, every year, relevant agencies and units also promote propaganda activities, mobilizing people to actively protect, regenerate and develop aquatic resources, focusing on propagating people not to use destructive fishing gear such as electric shock, explosives, and nets that do not meet regulations.

To create aquatic resources for the reservoir, people also spend their own money to buy fish such as silver carp, common carp, and grass carp to release into the reservoir in early spring. After releasing the fish, everyone joins hands to protect and manage the lake, in order to promptly prevent destructive fishing activities in the reservoir. And in August, cooperatives, cooperative groups, and community organizations together enter the harvest season. Typically, the cooperative groups of the H're people in the two villages of Huong Chien and Da Chat (Ba Lien commune, Ba To district), the regeneration, care, and exploitation of fish in the reservoir begin to develop in a professional and effective direction, and people have a stable income.

In the Quang Ngai Province Fisheries Development Program to 2030, with a vision to 2045, in addition to orienting the protection and development of aquatic resources through activities to regenerate aquatic species with economic value, indigenous and endemic aquatic species..., it also emphasizes the strengthening of conservation and protection of the habitat of aquatic species and coral reefs in the Ganh Yen area, Binh Hai commune (Binh Son); Chau Me, Pho Chau commune (Duc Pho town)... Thereby, linking with ecotourism and community tourism to create sustainable livelihoods for fishermen and communities.

Source