To allow the upstream fish stocks of the Giang River to thrive.

(Baonghean) - With the opening of Pha Lai, many shops and restaurants have sprung up along both banks of the Giang River in Mon Son commune, Con Cuong mountainous district (Nghe An). The upstream fish stocks of the Giang River are also gradually being depleted due to high demand and destructive fishing practices.

From Pha Lai wharf, traveling upstream to Khe Khang on a small motorboat, we arrived at Co Phat village in Mon Son commune (Con Cuong district). Dan Lai village is located upstream of the Giang River, where it begins to flow into Nghe An province. To earn a living, the villagers had to hunt in the forest, catch crabs and fish in the river, or cultivate rice and corn along the hillsides and streams... In the last 10 years or so, the lives of the villagers have improved thanks to the attention of the community and investment projects from the Party and the Government.

Along the Khe Khang stream, in the past, simply throwing a handful of rice or a branch of leaves would immediately attract schools of catfish and other fish that would rush to snatch the bait in dense swarms. Remarkably, this mountainous region boasts a wide variety of fish species, many of which have become local specialties, such as snakehead fish, catfish, eel, mudfish, and shrimp. Beyond the waterfalls lie abundant fish stocks; a single cast of net or seine net would yield tens of kilograms of fish.

Currently, due to the demand from tourists at Pha Lai wharf, many people in Mon Son commune have taken up fishing as an additional occupation. It doesn't require much capital but provides a high income. Now, it's very difficult to catch even a few small fish. Along the riverbank from Pha Lai, the Border Guard Post has to constantly patrol and apprehend many people using electric shock devices to catch fish, and even using explosives to catch fish to bring to Pha Lai wharf and Con Cuong market for restaurants. In the past, you could eat as much "mat" fish as you wanted in this area. Now, it's very difficult to find even a kilogram of this fish. As for catfish, "bop" fish, and "lech" fish, they are on the verge of extinction. At Pha Lai wharf, if customers don't ask beforehand, they might end up leaving their belongings behind because a grilled "mat" fish the size of a thumb costs 25,000-30,000 dong. This uncontrolled and unrestrained fishing is depleting the fish stocks in the upper reaches of the Giang River.

According to Vi Van Nam, Secretary of the Party Committee of Mon Son commune, Mon Son was once famous for its "Ke Qua rice and Giang River fish." Now, the Giang River fish resources are increasingly depleted. Last year, the province released several tons of fish fry into the Pha Lai dam. We instructed the commune police to coordinate with the Border Guard Post to strengthen inspections, detect, arrest, and punish those who use explosives, electric shock devices, etc., to catch fish in the river. We hope to preserve the environment so that the Giang River fish resources can thrive. Nature has bestowed upon Khe Khang in particular, and Mon Son in general, precious aquatic resources, so we must know how to preserve them. Mon Son is a poor border commune, but now, thanks to the natural water source that irrigates the Muong Qua fields, allowing for two high-yield rice crops a year, food is no longer a concern as it once was. We still allow the local people to fish, but the principle is to both fish and protect the valuable aquatic resources so that they can thrive and multiply sustainably, so that when visitors come to Mon Son and Muong Qua, the song "Muong Qua rice, Giang River fish" will forever remain in their hearts...

Phung Van Mui(Con Cuong District Party Committee)