Minister suggests mulling environmental impact of dumping in sea

Hanoi (VNA) - Dumping waste mud into Quy Nhon city’s sea must not harm natural protection and aquaculture production areas, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha has said.

The minister was answering complaints related to dumping of 439,000cu.m of waste mud from the dredging canals of Quy Nhon Port of Binh Dinh during his visit to the south-central coastal province.

The area for dumping mud must be inspected carefully to avoid damaging the sea’s diverse environment and aquaculture production, he said.

Moreover, impact of the dumping must be monitored, he added.

“Dredging canals at Quy Nhon Port was necessary, but environment impact had to be considered,” Ha said. “So far, dredging canals and dumping waste mud into the sea is normal all over the world. However, the waste was processed before being dumped."

In fact, the waste mud is a kind of natural resource, he said, and could benefit the sea.

Ho Quoc Dung, Chairman of the provincial People Committee, said dredging canals in Quy Nhon Port is carried out every two years.

The dredging activities are evaluated by the provincial authorities.

Recently, the Vietnam Maritime Administration (Vinamarine) submitted a request to local authorities for a licence to dump 439,000cu.m. of waste mud into Quy Nhon city’s sea. If approved, the waste mud will be dumped near buoy number zero, at least 2.5km from the coast.

Binh Dinh's Department of Natural Resources and Environment had collaborated with Vinamarine and other related forces to investigate and evaluate dossiers.

According to the department, Quy Nhon Port’s inlet is getting clogged, obstructing the arrival and departure of large vessels. To receive 50,000DWT (deadweight tonnage) ships, Vinamarine proposed a plan to dredge 439,000cu.m of mud to the Ministry of Transport, which was granted approval.-VNA