Five metric tons of fish of more than 20 rare and distinctive species were released into the Hau (Back) River in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta on Saturday to replenish the river's aquatic resources.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in An Giang Province released the fish into the Hau River section in An Giang, Dong Thap Province, and Can Tho City.

The fish were stored inside multiple tanks and sacks and were transported on ferries and boats.

Natural disasters and climate change have affected aquatic resources and biodiversity in general, Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said at the event.

The native aquatic species of the Mekong Delta have been threatened and are facing the risk of declining, Tien continued, adding that preservation is necessary in sustainable exploitation.

The agriculture ministry, in coordination with the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, plans to release about 60 million fish in many provinces and cities across the country this year, the official said.

“This will bring about economic benefits, replenish the aquatic resources, ensure livelihoods for people in the long term, and raise awareness of aquatic resource protection,” he elaborated.

About 587,000 fish weighing five metric tons were released into the Hau River on Saturday, said Nguyen Si Lam, director of the An Giang agriculture department.

The fish cost more than VND1 billion (US$42,500), funded by the state budget as well as local residents, Lam continued.

“We encouraged local residents to support and join hands to protect the environment and aquatic resources, as well as exploit the resources in an effective and sustainable manner,” the official stated.

Authorities in An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho previously asked people to stop catching fish in the Hau River from September 8 to 15 to facilitate the release of fish on Saturday.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!