A fleet of Vietnamese fishing boats is anchored off Cà Ná Fishing Port in Ninh Thuận Province. VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Thành

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Monday said China’s suspension of fishing in waters within Việt Nam’s sovereignty in the East Sea carries no weight whatsoever.

In a document sent to the People’s Committees of coastal cities and provinces, the ministry said the Chinese Bureau of Fisheries is implementing the suspension of fishing from 12am on May 1 to 12am on August 16 in various waters, some of which are within Việt Nam’s sovereignty in the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea).

The cities and provinces were told to encourage fishermen to continue fishing in Việt Nam’s waters and to ask them to go fishing in groups to support each other.

Vessels licensed to go fishing in the Gulf of Tonkin’s joint fishing area during 2019-2020 are not allowed to move to the east of the Gulf of Tonkin's delimitation line.

Authorities of the cities and provinces must direct agencies to enhance management and inspections of fishing in the waters, especially the departure times of fishing vessels.

Localities must promptly report issues relating to fishing vessels and fishermen to the hotline of the Việt Nam Fisheries Resources Surveillance at 024 6273 7323. — VNS