Boats have been seen electrofishing in broad daylight on Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal in Ho Chi Minh City.

In recent years, a large number of anglers have caught fish along the canal, which runs about eight kilometers through seven districts, including District 1, District 3, District 10, Phu Nhuan District, Tan Binh District, Go Vap District, and Binh Thanh District.

They use malicious fishing means, including electrofishing.

These methods are ecologically damaging because they kill fish en masse, including the young, and adversely impact their habitats, according to experts.

Authorities erected ‘No fishing of any kind’ signs on the embankments of the canal to prohibit the practice.

However, a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporter witnessed multiple people electrofishing on the canal on Tuesday afternoon.

Their two-hour fishing trip started at the canal’s section near the Tran Khanh Du brige, which connects Phu Nhuan District and District 1, and stretched to the Thi Nghe bridge linking Binh Thanh District and District 1.

Five fishing boats ended up catching many fishes of all sizes, mostly catfish and tilapia.

“They electrofish here quite often, sometimes about ten boats go at once,” said B., a local in Binh Thanh District.

“Each boat catches tens of kilograms of fish, even hundreds of kilograms.”

H., a local in District 1, also confirmed the electrofishing occurrences, adding that he expects authorities to put an end to the issue.

When contacted by Tuoi Tre, both the People’s Committee of Binh Thanh District and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ho Chi Minh City responded that they would carry out inspections to remedy the situation.

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