China’s fishing ban in Việt Nam’s waters is valueless

Vietnamese fishing vessels

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has said that China’s statement on halting fishing activities for a limited period in the waters belonging to Việt Nam’s sovereignty is valueless.
In a document sent to provincial People’s Committees nationwide, the ministry noted that China’s Bureau of Fisheries temporality halted fishing activities from 12:00 of May 1 to 12:00 of August 16 in sea areas, including China’s waters in joint fishing grounds with Việt Nam (in the east of the demarcation line in Tonkin Gulf) and sea areas belonging to Việt Nam.
MARD highlighted that China’s statement is useless. It asked the people’s committees of coastal localities to direct authorised agencies to inform fishermen of China’s statement, urging them to carry on normal operations in Việt Nam’s waters and to group together for support.
The ministry also asked fishing boats licenced to operate in the joint fishing ground with China in the Tonkin Gulf not to fish east of the demarcation line in the Tonkin Gulf.
At the same time, MARD also directed agencies to strengthen monitoring over activities of fishing vessels in the areas, while informing all arising problems at sea to the Administration of Fisheries.