Press conference on cause of fish deaths: No toxins found, no connection to Formosa

(Baonghean.vn)- Mr. Vu Minh Son, Director of the Department of Emulation, Rewards and Propaganda of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, announced that at 7:00 p.m. today, the Ministry will hold a press conference about the fish deaths.

>>>> Cua Lo Beach is outside the suspected contaminated area in the Central region

Full text of the official announcement of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment about the meeting.

According to Mr. Son, although the meeting was in progress, the Minister directed the provision of information to the public to clarify the fish deaths in the Central region.

Before that, a meeting of ministries and branches took place for many hours. Photo: TTO

Previously, at 2:00 p.m. on April 27, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha chaired a meeting with many ministries and branches to hear reports on the entire incident of mass fish deaths that has caused public panic recently.

Fish deaths and magnetic currents in the central coastal region. Graphics: Tien Vien

Specifically, units of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Directorate of Fisheries, the Aquaculture Research Institute 1, and the Marine Research Institute, took samples of dead fish in cages in Ha Tinh; water samples, sediment samples, and plankton samples in Quang Tri, Quang Binh, and Thua Thien - Hue. Units of the Ministry of Agriculture also analyzed environmental samples, aquatic diseases, and toxic algae, and surveyed and researched ocean and coastal currents.

The Institute of Agricultural Environment (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) analyzed fish and water samples collected by the Aquaculture Research Institute 1 for toxicity analysis. Other research institutes under this Institute took samples of dead fish and monitored the environment, ocean currents, and satellite imagery.

The General Department of Environment (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) collected samples of seawater, wastewater, and dead fish; the National Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene (Ministry of Health) is analyzing dead fish samples sent by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Previously, there was information that the press conference would not take place. However, Mr. Vu Minh Son, Director of the Department of Emulation, Rewards and Propaganda of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, announced that at 7:00 p.m. today, the Ministry will hold a press conference about the fish deaths.

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment chaired the meeting. Photo: Zing.vn

At nearly 8 p.m., Mr. Vo Tuan Nhan, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, announced the information. Accordingly, the phenomenon of mass fish deaths on a large scale is causing special concern among the people. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has established many working groups to conduct inspections.

Similar incidents have occurred in many countries around the world, but to determine the cause, specialized agencies must conduct systematic research. Among the experts today are experts from Tokyo University, Japan, and many leading experts from Vietnam.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan announced the meeting results. Photo: VNE

According to Mr. Nhan, the experts have agreed that there are two main groups of elements. One is due to the toxic effects of humans and the sea. The second is due to the effects of algal blooms or red tides.

"There is currently no connection between the activities of Formosa and other companies in the area and this mass fish death," said Mr. Nhan.

The specialized agencies will continue to research in the above two directions. If necessary, international experts will be invited to verify.

PV Group