Central provinces require restaurants not to use dead fish

Quang Binh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism requires restaurants not to use dead fish from the sea to eat and serve customers. If poisoning occurs, they must take responsibility.

The unusual situation of mass fish deaths drifting ashore in the area from Ha Tinh to Thua Thien - Hue has caused concern among the people, making local fishermen feel uneasy about going out to sea to fish. Local authorities are focusing on overcoming the situation, ensuring environmental hygiene and food safety, and encouraging fishermen to feel secure about going out to sea to produce.

In recent days, fishermen in Quang Tri province have not yet gone to sea because they cannot sell the fish they catch or are being forced to lower prices due to fear after unusual fish deaths appeared and drifted ashore.

Mr. Nguyen Van Luu, Vinh Thai commune, Vinh Linh district said: "The lives of fishermen have been affected by the unusual fish deaths that have occurred in recent days. Due to the fish deaths, people cannot go to sea. If they go to sea, they cannot sell their fish, and no one will buy them."

According to the report of the agricultural sector of Quang Tri province, more than 40 tons of fish washed ashore were collected and destroyed. Currently, the situation of dead fish washed ashore has stopped, the environment is gradually stabilizing again.

However, the consumer's fear of eating sea fish has affected the fishermen's lives. Seafood restaurants along the coast of Cua Tung and Cua Viet are deserted because people are afraid to eat fish, and even do not dare to swim in the sea.

Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam, Head of the Department of Exploitation and Protection of Aquatic Resources of Quang Tri province, said that the functional sector of Quang Tri province has also encouraged fishermen to feel secure in returning to sea: "We affirm that the environment is gradually stabilizing again. In the coming time, we think that offshore fishing activities will be normal. For coastal areas, especially the bottom layer, some types of fish, certainly after a recovery period when the water source is checked and guaranteed; the lives of fishermen will return to normal."

In Quang Binh province, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of this province announced and requested restaurants not to use dead fish to eat and serve customers, if poisoning occurs, they must take responsibility; at the same time, it recommended that seafood restaurants should switch to selling other foods while waiting for the conclusion on the cause of fish death.

Mr. Tran Tien Dung, Vice Chairman of Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee said: "Currently, the social psychology is still hesitant to use seafood, even in other localities. Therefore, fishing is difficult. We recommend not using sea fish for food, but river fish or farmed fish are still used normally. The Department of Culture - Sports and Tourism directs restaurants to ensure food safety for people and tourists."

Meanwhile, Hue Festival 2016 is approaching, the leaders of Thua Thien - Hue province requested the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to strengthen food safety and hygiene inspections, strictly handle violations, especially the use of food of unknown origin.

Mr. Nguyen Dung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thua Thien - Hue province, affirmed that the entire government system is involved to ensure the safety of domestic and foreign tourists at this Festival.

The wish of the people and local authorities affected by the recent unusual fish deaths is that the authorities soon announce the cause of the fish deaths so that seafood fishing and consumption activities can return to normal./.

According to VOV