HÀ NỘI -- Dumping waste mud into Quy Nhơn City’s sea must not harm natural protection and aquaculture production areas, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Trần Hồng Hà said yesterday.

The minister was answering complaints related to dumping of 439,000cu.m of waste mud from the dredging canals of Quy Nhơn Port of Bình Định during his visit to the province.

The area for dumping mud must be inspected carefully to avoid damaging the sea’s diverse environment and aquaculture production, he said.

Moreover, impact of the dumping must be monitored, he added.

 “Dredging canals at Quy Nhơn Port was necessary, but environment impact had to be considered,” Hà said.

“So far, dredging canals and dumping waste mud into the sea is normal all over the world. However, the waste was processed before being dumped,” the minister said.

In fact, the waste mud was also a kind of natural resource, he said, and could benefit the sea.

Speaking on the matter, Hồ Quốc Dũng, chairman of Bình Định Province’s People Committee, said dredging canals in Quy Nhơn Port was carried out every two years.

The activities were evaluated by the provincial authorities.

Recently, Việt Nam Maritime Administration (Vinamarine) submitted a request to Bình Định Province People’s Committee for a licence to dump 439,000cu.m. of waste mud into Quy Nhơn City’s sea.

If approved, the waste mud would be dumped near buoy number zero, at least 2.5km from the coast.

Bình Định Province’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment had collaborated with Vinamarine and other related forces to investigate and evaluate dossiers.

According to the department, Quy Nhơn Port’s inlet is getting clogged, obstructing the arrival and departure of large vessels. To receive 50,000DWT (deadweight tonnage) ships, Vinamarine proposed a plan to dredge 439,000cu.m of mud to the Ministry of Transport, which was granted approval. -- VNS