Directive No. 6-TS/CT On Urgent Issues for Protecting Aquatic Resources

DIRECTIVE

OF THE MINISTRY OF FISHERIES NO. 6-TS/CT DATED MAY 9, 1984 ON SOME EMERGENCY MEASURES TO PROTECT FISHERY RESOURCES
||| EMERGENCY MEASURES TO PROTECT FISHERY RESOURCES

To meet the food demand for society and increase exportable goods, the fisheries sector is intensifying exploitation and cultivation, but recently, fishery resources such as shrimp, fish, and other aquatic species in some regions and certain valuable aquatic species have shown a serious decline trend.

One of the reasons leading to this situation is that the work of protecting fishery resources has not been given due importance and implemented strictly, such as the continued use of explosives for fishing in an uncontrolled manner, excessive development of destructive fishing methods targeting young shrimp and fish, etc.

While awaiting the State's promulgation of the Ordinance on the Protection of Fishery Resources, to promptly protect these resources and ensure the basis for production development, especially for export business, the Ministry requests the Fisheries Departments and Fisheries Companies to urgently implement the following matters:

1- The Fisheries Departments need to advise local authorities at all levels to establish regulations on the protection of fishery resources in their respective areas. Among which, it is necessary to thoroughly implement existing documents banning the use of explosives for fishing, such as:

- Directive No. 2247-VP3 dated May 30, 1980 on prohibiting the use of explosives for fishing. - Circular No. 691-TS/KTBV dated April 7, 1982 on prohibiting the use of explosives for fishing in rivers and lakes.

2- To limit the catching of young fish by netting and similar methods, from now on, it is prohibited to import nets with mesh sizes smaller than a = 7mm, except in special cases as separately specified.

3- Strictly prohibit and severely punish destructive practices such as using explosives.

4- To protect marine shrimp resources:

a) In rivers and canals in coastal areas, reduce the number of bottom trawls, traps, and other methods such as te, xiệp, and barriers, particularly on both sides of rivers with depths under 6 meters.

Apply certain methods like drift nets, longline, gillnets, etc., at depths greater than 20 to 25 meters.

Provinces should base their proposals to the Provincial People's Committees to issue directives limiting these fishing gears according to the following main principles:

For bottom trawl nets, specify the mesh size at the cod end

2a = 15 - 16 mm (for river bottoms and river mouths),

2a = 18 mm (for offshore sea bottoms).

b) During the peak breeding season of shrimp from March to May of the solar calendar, limit the catch volume at the following major breeding grounds:

- Mỹ Miều Island Shrimp Breeding Ground (Quảng Ninh).

- Bắc Ba Lạt - Long Châu Shrimp Breeding Ground.

- Nẹ - Ghép Shrimp Breeding Ground (Thanh Hoá).

- Nam Đông Nam Vũng Tàu Shrimp Breeding Ground.

- Cửu Long River Mouth Shrimp Breeding Ground.

- Hòn Chuối - Ông Đốc Shrimp Breeding Ground.

- West - Northwest Phú Quốc Shrimp Breeding Ground.

c) In the nearshore area at depths of 5 to 20 meters, reduce fishing gear.

5- Protecting green shrimp resources:

a) To protect the broodstock of green shrimp migrating to brackish water for spawning:

- Prohibit the use of fishing gears such as stake nets, scoop nets, dredges, etc., operating on sections of rivers in provinces like Tiền Giang, Long An, Bến Tre, Cửu Long, Hậu Giang from the 1st to the 8th day of the third lunar month, and the 7th to the 8th lunar month.

- Prohibit bottom trawling in these rivers during the following periods:

Early season from the 25th day of the second lunar month to the 5th day of the third lunar month annually. And from the 12th day of the third lunar month to the 18th day of the third lunar month annually.

Late season from the 12th day of the seventh lunar month to the 18th day of the seventh lunar month annually. And from the 25th day of the seventh lunar month to the 5th day of the eighth lunar month annually.

Other provinces should make appropriate regulations based on specific conditions.

b) Protecting juvenile green shrimp:

- Prohibit all fishing gears operating in the Cửu Long River, Sài Gòn River, Đồng Nai River, and Vàm Cỏ River from the 12th day of the fourth lunar month to the 18th day of the fourth lunar month annually.

From the 25th day of the eighth lunar month to the 5th day of the ninth lunar month annually.

- Mesh size of green shrimp bottom trawls on rivers:

Specify the mesh size of the wings and body of the trawl net at 210D/18

2a ³ 40 mm

Cod end 2a ³ 16 mm.

Stake trawls, frames, and scoop nets must have a mesh size of 2a = 20 mm.

6- Implementation measures:

1. Upon receipt of this Directive, the Fisheries Departments shall be responsible for submitting to the Provincial People's Committees to promulgate provincial regulations on the protection of fishery resources and coordinate with propaganda agencies, radio, television, etc., to educate people about the awareness of protecting and developing fishery resources. At the same time, they shall be responsible for guiding, urging, and inspecting the implementation of the above regulations by the County Seafood Boards, Districts, and Companies.

2. Implement reward and punishment systems according to Circular No. 5-TT/TS dated September 17, 1982 of the Ministry of Fisheries regarding the guidance on implementing Decision No. 97-HĐBT dated May 29, 1982 of the Council of Ministers on policies for the development of aquaculture.

Localities and units need to widely disseminate this Directive to cadres, staff, fishermen, and develop specific plans to strictly guide its implementation. Any issues encountered during implementation should be reported promptly to the Ministry of Fisheries for timely research and supplementation.