De Gi commune takes decisive action against polluting squid processors

The commune of De Gi in Vietnam has largely resolved the issue of illegal squid processing that led to significant environmental pollution. According to Vo Van Tai, Chairman of the De Gi Commune People's Committee, all 53 illegal squid processing facilities operating in the An Quang Dong and An Quang Tay hamlets have been shut down.

Following an eight-day crackdown, the commune has seen a complete cessation of squid processing activities in the affected areas. Before the enforcement action, local authorities conducted extensive outreach to processing households, boat owners, transporters, and traders. These efforts focused on educating them about environmental protection regulations and the penalties for violations.

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To date, the commune has basically completed the processing of illegal squid processing households that discharged waste causing environmental pollution in An Quang Dong and An Quang Tay hamlets.

During the enforcement period, authorities also managed the movement of goods, requiring 15 refrigerated trucks carrying squid to leave the area after 13 days of patrolling the De Gi fishing port. While 34 processing facilities voluntarily stopped their operations, 19 others were found to be secretly processing squid. Authorities collaborated with the Phu Cat Power Company to disconnect electricity from six of these clandestine operations. Seven violations were formally addressed, resulting in the confiscation and destruction of drying racks, plastic trays, and squid from six households. One large-scale violator had 283 drying racks destroyed.

To prevent future pollution, De Gi commune plans to maintain 24-hour patrols at the fishing port to intercept incoming squid and strictly control fishing vessels and rudimentary transport methods leaving the port. They will also impose strict penalties on any renewed illegal processing activities. Village officials are tasked with closely monitoring their areas to prevent new hotspots. The commune is also developing vocational training and sustainable employment programs for residents. To address the issue comprehensively, De Gi has proposed to the provincial authorities that a centralized seafood processing zone be established, designed to meet environmental standards and waste treatment requirements.

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After 8 days the commune opened a peak inspection and processing period, by now all 53 squid processing facilities in the area have ceased operations.