Ho Chi Minh City Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and some other agencies released about 450,000 breeding fish into Tau Hu Canal on Friday as a move to mark the 55^th Vietnam Fishery Day (April 1).

>> Uncontrolled fishing in HCMC canals

The total value of the fish, including anabas, catfish, and carp, is about VND300 million (US$14,150).

Tran Dinh Vinh, head of the Sub-department of Fishery Resource Protection and Quality Control under the department, said the release was aimed at regenerating fishery resources in the canal.

This canal previously suffered heavy pollution but it has recently showed signs of recovery, Vinh said.

Before releasing the fish into the canal, concerned agencies had taken samples of water from the canal for testing, and the test results showed that the water meets all standards necessary for the development and growth of fish, the official said.

These standards include pH level, dissolved oxygen (DO), heavy metal, and some others, he added.   

Tau Hu Canal is 22 km long and runs through eight districts, including Districts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and Binh Tan and Binh Chanh Districts.