Protecting the famous specialty fish breed of Nghe An highlands
(Baonghean.vn) - Faced with the risk of water environment at the source of streams, some aquatic species being extinct, the commune government and people of Na Loi border commune, Ky Son district have built and deployed a model to protect stream fish species, mainly the cool fish, a famous specialty fish in the highlands of Nghe An.
Following the commune officials and the management board of Na Khuong village, Na Loi commune, we came to an area on the Huoi Tam stream. This is a stream originating from the land of Laos, entering Vietnam at the border commune of Na Loi, with a length of more than 4 km. The downstream of the stream joins the Nam Non river at Xieng Tam village, My Ly commune.
According to the people of Na Khuong village, in the past, Huoi Tam stream had many kinds of aquatic products, which provided food for the people in the area. However, due to the overexploitation of these aquatic products,fish, crabs, shrimps, snails have caused many aquatic species in this stream to gradually disappear, including the mackerel - a rare and valuable specialty fish species and one of six aquatic species that need to be preserved and developed in rivers and streams in the highlands.
 |
| People and authorities inspect fish protection areas in Na Loi commune. Photo: Lu Phu |
“There are a lot of cool fish in this Huoi Tam stream. However, because people catch fish with electricity too much, the fish resource is gradually depleted. In order for the fish to revive, the Party cell and the management board of Na Khuong village have organized propaganda and mobilized people to work together to protect and preserve this cool fish species” - Mr. Luong Van Phong, Na Khuong village, Na Loi commune shared.
In 2016, the Party Committee of Na Loi commune, Ky Son district approved a project to protect and conserve aquatic resources in the area, especially the protection of cool fish genetic resources, and at the same time imposed sanctions on violators inside and outside the commune.
The commune has directed villages such as Pieng Lau, Na Loi, Na Khuong to issue village agreements to protect aquatic resources, specifically prohibiting exploitation and fishing with toxic chemicals, explosives, electric shocks and other destructive means. People from outside the locality who fish in the area protected by the villagers will be fined from 500 to 1 million VND. As for households in Na Loi commune, aquatic resources belong to the entire people. Those who fish in violation of the village agreement will have their equipment confiscated and be administratively fined.
 |
| Village management boards will fine organizations and individuals who deliberately exploit prohibited areas. Photo: Lu Phu |
People from outside the locality who fish in areas protected by local people will be fined from 500 to 1 million VND. As for households in Na Loi commune, aquatic resources belong to the entire population. Those who fish in cases that go against the village's convention will have their fishing equipment confiscated and be administratively fined.
“Currently, there are 3 villages along Huoi Tam stream that are protecting aquatic resources, especially the cool fish. Most of the people in these villages have a very high awareness of protection, so the cool fish are growing quite quickly. In the coming time, the commune will direct the villages to expand the protection areas” - Mr. Long Van Cheng - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Na Loi commune, Ky Son said.
 |
| Fish protection area on Huoi Tam stream. Photo: Lu Phu |
Villages established aquatic resource protection areas for specific sections of streams, with signs prohibiting exploitation and fishing. After more than 4 years of implementing the aquatic resource protection model, the fish population in Huoi Tam stream has revived.
The rapid revival of the mackerel along with other aquatic species has contributed to protecting the common environment. In particular, the people of Na Loi have gradually raised their awareness and, together with forces such as the police and border guards, have done a good job of protecting the ecosystem of the water source.
 |
| Cool fish is now considered a specialty dish in the Western region of Nghe An, so many people catch it, leading to an increasingly scarce supply of fish. Photo courtesy |
The model of protecting cool fish in the border commune of Na Loi, Ky Son is one of the good ways to preserve and develop special fish species in highland streams and creeks, and this is an effective solution contributing to the conservation of biodiversity in Western Nghe An./.
