Quang Ninh has more than 250km of coastline, over 40,000ha of tidal flats, over 20,000ha of straits, bays and fishing grounds covering over 6,100km2, which are favorable conditions for developing aquaculture.
However, recently, especially after Typhoon Yagi (September 2024), the situation of illegal aquaculture shows signs of recurring in many areas.
On April 14, an inter-sectoral inspection team led by the Ha Long Bay - Yen Tu World Heritage Management Board organized patrols, inspections, and handling of violations in Ha Long Bay.
In the Hon Cho Den area, functional forces discovered Mr. Dinh Van Dong's household (Hiep Hoa ward) illegally raising clams.
Inspecting the scene, functional forces discovered about 900 plastic cages, 2 wooden panels and 1 vehicle serving illegal aquaculture activities.
Working with the inspection team, Mr. Dong said that he had released about 15,000 clam cages on an area of 2,000m2 of water surface and admitted the violation.
At about 10:20 am on the same day, the delegation continued to discover a waterway vehicle more than 5m long pulling 4 wooden rafts, carrying about 1,000 plastic cages for aquaculture.
The vehicle owner, Mr. Dinh Duc Dung (hamlet 16, Hiep Hoa ward), could not present vehicle documents and aquaculture licenses as prescribed.
Violations have been recorded, and exhibits have been temporarily seized for handling.
Not only in Ha Long Bay, but also on the Hot River line, 16.578km long, belonging to Tuan Chau and Ha An wards, the situation of encroaching on channels for illegal aquaculture has also appeared.
Functional forces have dismantled 8 bottom piles and a system of ropes and nets across the channel, restoring the current state of ventilation and ensuring waterway traffic safety.
In Quang Ha commune, the situation of violations is complicated and prolonged. From August 2025 to now, the locality has organized more than 32 patrols at sea, directly dismantling tattoos, fences, stakes, and illegal farming nets with an area of hundreds of hectares.
The Commune People's Committee has fined violators with a total amount of over 750 million VND, and issued more than 50 decisions on coercive remediation.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tu, Mong Cai 1 ward, investing in aquaculture in Quang Ha commune, said: The reason for the violation is partly due to slow licensing procedures compared to the seasonal schedule, leading to some cases of arbitrarily releasing seeds in advance to keep up. However, there are also cases of intentional violations for economic benefits. I hope the government will continue to thoroughly handle this situation, restore order and create a stable farming environment for legal farming households.
