Quang Ninh province has launched a sweeping campaign to remove unlicensed aquaculture cages from its rivers and coastal waters, aiming to improve water quality, restore wild fish stocks and guide the seafood sector toward more sustainable growth.
Provincial authorities on Nov. 24 ordered simultaneous inspections by the Agriculture and Environment Departments and by local governments along rivers and bays. The move follows a Nov. 11 government directive requiring the clearance of all makeshift structures from inland waterways and buffer areas of the Ha Long Bay World Heritage site.
Inspections on the Chanh, Rut, Bach Dang, Cam and Kinh Thay rivers found hundreds of cages still in operation despite multiple warnings. Officials said the structures discharge waste, excess feed and antibiotics directly into the water, contributing to eutrophication, algal blooms and oxygen depletion that harm benthic species. Dense clusters of cages also restrict water flows and disrupt migration routes for wild fish and shrimp, accelerating stock decline and degrading sediments, issues that threaten farmed seafood quality and the province’s reputation.
The provincial government said the removal of unlicensed cages is necessary to protect estuarine and bay ecosystems and preserve the Ha Long Bay buffer zone. The goal is to improve water quality, restore natural flows and enable wild fisheries to recover.
Aquaculture activities will be relocated to designated farming zones in Van Don, Co To, Mong Cai and in clam-farming areas in Quang Yen and Dam Ha. Officials said these hubs use more advanced systems and compliant waste-treatment facilities that support sustainable production.
Between Nov. 24 and 25, authorities recorded all violations and logged locations using GPS, requiring farmers to commit to relocation by the end of November. Forced removal is scheduled to begin in early December for non-compliant operators. Farmers are being instructed to move to approved zones and adopt recirculating or non-discharge farming methods.
The provincial government said clearing illegal cages is essential to restore order on waterways, ensure navigation safety and protect fisheries resources, which it described as a shared community asset. The campaign is aligned with Quang Ninh’s commitments to safeguard the Ha Long Bay World Heritage site and develop a greener seafood industry, with a target of USD 2 billion in seafood export value by 2030.
Authorities urged farmers to comply to avoid losses from enforcement measures and pledged regular inspections, stricter penalties for repeat violations and support for those transitioning to ecological and circular aquaculture models. Officials said restoring clean waterways is key to enabling fish stocks to rebound and sustaining the province’s long-term seafood development.
VFM
