Oyster farming is profitable but 'harmful' to waterways in Hoang Mai town
(Baonghean.vn) - In the lower reaches of Hoang Mai River and Nha Le Canal in Hoang Mai Town, there has been a long-standing illegal aquaculture practice (mainly oyster farming). Although this has brought significant economic benefits, it is also necessary to ensure the flow of waterways.
Hoang Mai Riverand Nha Le canal, which is downstream of the Vuc Mau lake flood drainage system, is a waterway for ships and boats in Hoang Mai town. In particular, it becomes the only way for ships and boats to anchor, avoid, and take shelter during the rainy and stormy season. On this river system, Hoang Mai town People's Committee does not planoyster farmingand other forms of cage aquaculture.
However, in recent times, many households in communes and wards in the area, especially in Quynh Lap commune, Quynh Phuong ward, Quynh Di, Mai Hung, and Quynh Thien, have illegally built oyster farms, greatly affecting flood drainage, waterway traffic, and seafood exploitation activities.
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| Quynh Lap residents check oyster farms. Photo: Tien Dong |
Although the People's Committee of Hoang Mai Town has issued many directive documents and organized work with the People's Committees of communes and wards to direct the handling. However, currently in many localities, the dismantling is very difficult. Not to mention, oyster farming is a long-standing traditional occupation of local people, the simultaneous dismantling makes people very worried.
Mr. Nguyen Phuc Be, Tan Hai village, Quynh Lap commune said: His family has 10 rafts, each raft has an area of about 20m2.2Last year, his family and many other oyster farmers received a document from the local government requesting the dismantling of oyster rafts. However, what he was concerned about was that the households were farming in hidden areas, not in the middle of the river, and did not affect the flow, so he hoped that they would be allowed to continue farming, or the town should plan a certain area where farming is allowed to create conditions for people to develop the economy.
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| Seed oysters are implanted into old oyster shells, then hung on fishing lines and dropped into cages. After 6 months of farming, they are harvested. Photo: Tien Dong |
Similar to Mr. Be, Mr. Ho Si Chinh's household, also residing in Quynh Lap commune, has 10 oyster rafts. He said: Oyster farming brings clear economic benefits and has become the main source of income for many families. If oyster farming is completely banned, it will be very difficult for the people.
PresentQuynh LapThere are about 15 households participating in oyster farming, mainly ocean oysters, raised on floating rafts. Mr. Nguyen Van Nho - Chairman of Quynh Lap Commune People's Committee said that, following the direction of the town, the locality has met and encouraged people to dismantle oyster rafts, but so far they have not been able to dismantle them.
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| From the initial seed cost of about 5,000 VND, after 6 months of farming, each vine can yield more than 1kg of oyster shells. Photo: Tien Dong |
In Quynh Phuong ward, there are 19 aquaculture households, including 4 households raising fish in cages and 15 households raising oysters in the oyster sandbank area, Tan Hai block. The above-ground area is about 20,000m2, households started raising oysters in 2013, then developed further as it is today.
Mr. Phan The Huy - Vice Chairman of Quynh Phuong Ward People's Committee said: The local government has repeatedly urged people to dismantle the farm, but the reality is that oyster farming has been around for a long time, so it is very difficult to abandon it immediately. Therefore, the ward has asked people to commit not to expand further.
Mai Hung ward has the largest oyster farming force. Currently, this locality has 164 households participating in farming with a total oyster farming area of up to 30,020m2.2, mainly by the method of bamboo scaffolding on both sides of the river. Mr. Le Huu Trung - ChairmanMai Hung wardsaid: Although the ward has mobilized people to dismantle the oyster farming system, because this is the livelihood of the people, it is very difficult. The ward is temporarily counting the number of farming households and zoning off areas to prevent further development. At the same time, it is proposing a mechanism to support career conversion so that people can automatically dismantle.
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| According to the current market, each kilogram of oyster shell costs from 25,000 to 30,000 VND/kg. Photo: Tien Dong |
To put an end to the rampant oyster and fish cage farming, the People's Committee of Hoang Mai Town has repeatedly issued documents directing communes and wards to dismantle them. However, in reality, the dismantling has not been carried out completely.
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| Currently, many cages and rafts in estuaries and creeks have not been completely dismantled. Photo: Tien Dong |
Mr. Hoang Ngoc Thuy - Head of Infrastructure Economic Department, Hoang Mai Town said: The dismantling of aquaculture cages must be done thoroughly. Currently, the town is focusing on zoning and mobilizing people to gradually dismantle.
Regarding the reasonable planning of oyster farming areas, Mr. Thuy said that the Hoang Mai River does not have a large enough water surface area, and is a straight river, without many bays or bays. Therefore, although he knows that giving up a profession that brings great economic benefits and livelihoods to many people, it is necessary to ensure the circulation of the waterway.
