Dead fish cause North Central Coast tourism to 'sit on fire'

The tourism industry in the provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Quang Binh and Thua Thien Hue is "sitting on hot coals" when the unusual mass fish deaths occurred in the area.

The unusual fish deaths that have occurred since early April in the North Central provinces have affected consumer sentiment, especially tourists. Faced with this situation, the tourism industry in these localities is concerned that sea tourism activities will be severely affected, especially during the upcoming sea tourism season and the upcoming April 30 and May 1 holidays. Some provinces have quickly made plans to ensure food safety and hygiene for tourists and residents, while minimizing damage to tourism activities.

Quang Tri stops coastal tourism activities

On the afternoon of April 22, Mr. Nguyen Huu Thang - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Tri said that the situation of dead fish and other seafood drifting ashore on the beaches of Quang Tri province and some other central provinces has severely affected sea tourism. Because tourists are concerned that this situation will affect the quality of food as well as pollute the sea water, they do not dare to swim or enjoy seafood.

“Currently, the system of restaurants, hotels, and coastal entertainment areas has almost had to stop operations according to the recommendations of provincial and central leaders. This will greatly affect tourism,” Mr. Thang expressed concern.

Dead fish along the coast of Ky Anh town (Ha Tinh)

The Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Tri also said that currently, a working group from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is on its way to Quang Tri for inspection. Quang Tri provincial leaders are also going to inspect and collect samples for testing.

"This issue involves several provinces in the Central region, so we are waiting for the final conclusion from the authorities to resolve and bring back sea tourism activities soon, otherwise, this year's sea tourism season will be severely damaged. On this occasion, we have just opened the sea tourism season, and recently opened a sea tourism route to Con Co Island. But with this situation, tourists going there can only stand on the shore, not daring to swim."

Meanwhile, Mr. Phan Tien Dung - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thua Thien - Hue said that the province is currently advising people and tourists not to eat dead fish or use seafood of unknown origin to ensure safety. The local tourism industry is also waiting for the final conclusion on the mass fish deaths to bring tourism activities back to normal.

Quang Binh strictly controls food sources from the sea

Mr. Ho An Phong - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Binh said that the mass fish deaths occurring in coastal areas in the province recently have caused confusion for tourists and consumers, and at the same time affected the province's tourism activities.All seafood restaurants along Dong Hoi beach had to close.

Many fish species raised by people in a coastal pond in Loc Vinh commune, Phu Loc district (Thua Thien - Hue) died and washed ashore.

On the morning of April 23, the Quang Binh Tourism Association held a meeting to discuss solutions and said it would issue a document instructing seafood restaurants to switch their menus to caged fish raised in rivers, free-range chickens, eels, and many other specialties from different regions in Quang Binh.

To improve service quality and ensure food safety and hygiene for tourists and consumers, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Binh province conducts inspections and directs food service establishments, restaurants, etc. in the province to strengthen management and strictly control input materials.

“The Department requires units not to use coastal fish and dead fish to serve tourists during this time. Facilities are only allowed to use food sources originating from offshore fishing vessels in fishing grounds in the Gulf of Tonkin, Truong Sa archipelago, Hoang Sa archipelago, absolutely ensuring food safety and hygiene for tourists and consumers, not allowing any cases of food poisoning or consequences due to unsafe food hygiene and hygiene,” said Mr. Phong.

According to Mr. Phong, since the mass fish deaths, businesses in the province have complied quite well with the Department's instructions, strictly controlled input materials and only used food with clear and safe origins. Dishes served to tourists are mainly prepared simply such as steamed, boiled, grilled... based on the natural freshness of the food to ensure hygiene and food safety for tourists.

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Binh will continue to strengthen inspection and supervision to always ensure the safety of tourists and not let the above situation affect tourism activities in Quang Binh," Mr. Phong affirmed.

Ha Tinh: Famous beach tourist destinations have not been affected

Mr. Bui Duc Hanh - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ha Tinh said that currently, some famous coastal tourist destinations of this locality are still safe, there has been no phenomenon of dead fish. "I just surveyed this morning, famous coastal tourist destinations of Ha Tinh such as Thien Cam, Son Thanh, Loc Ha have not had the phenomenon of dead fish", Mr. Hanh said.

According to the leader of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ha Tinh, people and tourists here still swim and eat seafood normally because the sea is still clean, and there has not been an unusual mass fish death like the sea near the Vung Ang Industrial Park.

“We are preparing for the upcoming big festival, everything is carefully prepared, environmental sanitation and safety for tourists are ready,” said Mr. Hanh.

According to VnE