Quang Ngai (VNA) – Although dozens of billions of VND were invested in waste collection and treatment systems, fishing ports in the central province of Quang Ngai are struggling with persistent pollution, not only posing significant ecological risks but also threatening the locality’s contributions to the country's efforts to have the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning on Vietnam's seafood exports lifted.
The pollution problem is particularly severe at Tinh Ky port in Quang Ngai city. Wastewater and seafood waste have been littered on the port's infrastructure, with debris floating in the sea and ships disposing sewage directly into the marine environment.
Tran Van Hai, a fisherman in Quang Ngai city, said the port is more polluted than others he has visited.
Similar environmental degradation is evident at Tinh Hoa port also in Quang Ngai city, where a waste treatment system, invested at a total cost of 3.8 billion VND (over 149,500 USD), remains largely inoperative due to insufficient operational funding.
Nguyen Dinh Trung, director of the province’s fishing port management board, proposed the State arrange funding to ensure the systems’ operations, implement regular waste collection and treatment at the ports, and establish strict environmental compliance mechanisms.
Additionally, the communications work should be enhanced to raise fishermen’s awareness of environmental protection, he said.
Quang Ngai is now home to five fishing ports and storm shelters for fishing vessels designated as the ones with a complete system for seafood origin verification./.
