Soc Trang (VNA) - The Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang said it has achieved outstanding results in conserving fisheries resources by effectively preventing the use of banned fishing methods and increasing public awareness of the need for protecting fish stocks. 

It has organised more than 3,000 advocacy activities to enhance public awareness of the impacts of climate change on fisheries resources and the need for protecting those resources in the past five years, according to the local Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In the period, the province also released more than 16.4 million shrimp and fish fry into the sea and rivers.

It has adopted many fisheries conservation models like protecting aquatic species carrying eggs and establishing zones to protect breeding clams.

Activities that affect fisheries resources and the environment like using electricity and toxic chemicals to fish have been effectively checked.

Speaking at a recent meeting to review the efforts to protect and develop fish stocks in 2012-20, Le Van Hieu, deputy chairman of the province People’s Committee, said public awareness is the main factor in protecting fisheries resources.

He urged the department to completely prevent banned activities that deplete fish stocks, while expanding effective fisheries management models to protect the livelihoods of people living on the coast.

Many households living near the coast derive their income mainly from fishing near shore since they do not have or have little farming land.

The province has adopted many models that help protect fisheries resources and provide livelihoods for fishing households such as breeding aquatic species in mangrove forests, raising sea ducks, breeding shrimp and tilapia together, breeding goats for bearing kids, and making nylon bags.

These have improved incomes for fishing households and reduced fishing near shore. –VNA