WWF and Phu Yen fishermen bring marine trash ashore

The model was organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Vietnam in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Phu Yen province at 4 major fishing ports in the province: Dong Tac, Phu Lac, Tien Chau and Dan Phuoc. The total cost of implementing the model is more than 1.1 billion VND.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thu Trang, Project Manager of WWF Vietnam, most of the waste generated from fishing vessel activities, including household waste, broken fishing gear, etc., is not collected but is discharged directly into the sea. This is one of the causes of marine pollution. Currently, WWF Vietnam is coordinating with departments and branches of Phu Yen to build a model of "Mobilizing fishermen to bring waste to shore" and signing a commitment with about 500 boat owners to participate in the model.

Fishermen in Dong Hoa town (Phu Yen province) transfer waste from fishing boats to shore for treatment. (Photo: Tuy Hoa City Information Center)

Accordingly, after signing the commitment, each fishing boat will be supported by WWF with 2 more mesh bags to contain waste. Thus, on each trip, fishermen not only bring back fish and shrimp but also bring waste back to shore for centralized treatment. The trash bins at the collection point are fully classified to contain plastic waste, general waste, and toxic waste. The Phu Yen Province Fishing Port Management Board will bring the waste to the collection point for treatment according to regulations.

“Up to now, WWF has organized training courses, supported about 1,000 net bags for fishing boats and supported waste storage equipment at 4 ports, each port with 8 handcarts containing 660 liters of waste,” said Ms. Nguyen Thu Trang.

According to fisherman Dao Duy Nam, owner of fishing boat PY91739TS in Phu Dong ward, in the past, fishermen exploiting seafood at sea often focused only on their work and paid little attention to protecting the marine environment. Household waste such as plastic bottles, cans, nylon bags, fishing gear or damaged items were all thrown into the sea in large quantities. After being informed and propagated by WWF Vietnam staff about the harmful effects of plastic waste, he realized that he had to be responsible for implementing general environmental protection regulations during the process of exploiting seafood at sea.

“I also reminded the crew members to raise awareness and responsibility in collecting, sorting and bringing garbage to shore. The sea provides a livelihood for fishermen, so all fishermen need to keep the marine environment clean,” said fisherman Dao Duy Nam.

Fisherman Tran Van Lam, owner and captain of fishing boat PY90118TS in Phu Dong ward (Tuy Hoa city) said: In addition to the garbage collection tools provided by the Phu Yen Fishing Port Management Board, my family also equipped many other tools with the purpose of collecting all household waste, torn and damaged fishing gear on the boat to bring back to shore. On my last trip to sea, I brought back to shore more than 20kg of various types of garbage, of which about half were water bottles, plastic bags, torn nets...

According to Mr. Ha Vien, Director of Phu Yen Fishing Port Management Board, although the model of "Mobilizing fishermen to bring garbage ashore" has only been implemented for a short time, fishermen in the province have responded very positively. As of July 15, 92 fishing boats have brought about 685 kg of garbage ashore, mainly plastic waste. Officials at fishing ports also focus on propaganda and arranging convenient garbage collection locations for fishermen to implement.

In addition to raising awareness among fishermen, the authorities have also increased inspection, monitoring and punishment of discharges into the marine environment. Each fisherman participating in the model only performs small actions but has greatly contributed to protecting the blue ocean and regenerating aquatic resources.

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