Quang Tri helps affected fishermen earn living

Quang Tri (VNA) - A conference was held in the central province of Quang Tri on July 12 to seek solutions to expand the means of earning a living for fishermen who have been effected by the recent mass fish deaths.

More than 8,000 households of 16 communes and towns in four local coastal districts have borne the brunt of the environmental incident. They are still relying on fishing, aquaculture and fishery services. The practice of farming remains small and scattered, yielding low productivity and output.

At the function, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chinh said the priority is to develop agricultural sectors such as plant cultivation and animal husbandry, adding that Quang Tri is now calling for investments and partnerships in agriculture.

Fishermen will receive vocational training to secure jobs other than fishing, alongside assistance to continue their engagements in the fishery sectors, he noted.

As heard at the conference, a number of farming models have been implementing across the affected area; local authorities are focusing on helping farmers expand production, starting from the autumn-winter season this year until the end of 2017.

The issue of certificates for seafood netted in safe areas is also a priority.

The province is working to upgrade the local fleet suitable to offshore fishing between now and 2020.-VNA