Regarding the information about the suspected use of explosives to exploit seafood in the Hon Bac area that Lao Dong and press agencies reported, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has established an inspection team.
On August 26, 2025, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment coordinated with local authorities and Ninh Phuoc Border Guard Station to organize patrols and field inspections by fishing boat KN-631-KH and canoe KN-633-KH around the Hon Bac sea area.
The goal is to verify information suspected of exploitation of aquatic products using explosives.
At the time of inspection, there were a number of fishing vessels operating in floating nets in the Hon Bac area.
According to the working group and local community groups and fishermen, it is likely that fishing vessels with night nets will exploit floating fish (such as herring, herring, sardines, silver pomfret...) with a large volume. During the collection process, a large amount of fish will be dropped outside due to being entangled, overflowing or tearing the nets.
This creates a phenomenon of dead fish on the island as seen in the image circulating on social networks.
Initially, the inspection team did not detect any signs of exploitation using explosives.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, every month, the Department of Fisheries and Sea Affairs coordinates with the Border Guard, authorities and community groups to patrol the seas, including Hon Bac.
Through many inspections, the authorities have only discovered traps, traps, squid traps, etc., and have not recorded any cases of using explosives for exploitation.
Strengthening control
To prevent illegal fishing, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said it will coordinate with the Provincial Police, Border Guards, and People's Committees of coastal communes to continue implementing measures to prevent the use of explosives, electric pulses, toxic chemicals, and prohibited fishing vessels and tools.
The forces will increase patrols and strictly handle the acts of illegally producing, trading, storing and transporting explosives and banned chemicals for seafood exploitation.
At the same time, promote legal dissemination to the fishing community, in order to raise awareness of aquatic resource protection.
According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the use of explosives, electrical pulses, and toxic substances for exploitation not only destroys resources, destroys habitats, and pollutes the marine environment, but also seriously violates the Law on Fisheries and threatens the lives and property of fishermen.
In the coming time, the Department will announce marine reserves according to the Planning for the Protection and Exploitation of aquatic Resources for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.
At the same time, implement the Project on co-management and protection of aquatic resources in coastal waters of Khanh Hoa, promoting the role of the community in the work of conservation and monitoring of aquatic resources.
