It is unnecessary to use advanced technology to clean the marine environment in the four central provinces hit by recent pollution as the coral reef ecosystem and seafood resources have shown signs of recovery. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ TĨNH — It is unnecessary to use advanced technology to clean the marine environment in the four central provinces hit by recent pollution as the coral reef ecosystem and seafood resources have shown signs of recovery.

The pollution investigation results were released yesterday in the central province of Hà Tĩnh.

Prof. and Dr Mai Trọng Nhuận from the research group said the seawater and sediment quality in the monitored areas off the coast of Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị and Thừa Thiên-Huế was within permissible limits for bathing, water sports, aquaculture and marine conservation areas.

Nhuận, from the Vietnam National University, Hà Nội, said thorough assessment is required before using advanced technology to tackle marine pollution.

Scientists believe that in the short term, the affected provinces need to conserve seafood resources areas or raise abalone in coral areas to clean the environment naturally, he said.

Đặng Ngọc Sơn, Vice Chairman of the Hà Tĩnh provincial People’s Committee, said the local administration requested Hưng Nghiệp Formosa Hà Tĩnh Steel Co. Ltd, which admitted responsibility for the mass fish deaths along the central coast in June, address the incident’s consequences, install environmental protection technology, and not pollute the environment again.

The pollution damaged about 400 hectares of coral and affected over 260,000 people who earn their living in sea-related activities.

Humanitarian aid

A joint programme of humanitarian aid for people in localities hit by drought, salt intrusion and mass fish deaths has mobilised more than VNĐ 204 billion (US$9.1 million) from organisations and inviduals over the past three months, said the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee at a meeting yesterday.

The fund has provided more VNĐ150 billion ($6.7 million) in financial aid to about 193,000 households in these localities, together with more than 1,800 tonnes of rice.

Regarding the VNĐ11.5 trillion ($500 million) pledged by Formosa to support local fishermen and recover the polluted maritime environment, Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyễn Hữu Chí said Formosa has sent half of the amount to the State Treasury. The remainder is expected on Sunday.

Ministries and authorised agencies will use the money to support fishermen, he said, adding that the use of the money will be strictly supervised to prevent loss and corruption. — VNS