On the afternoon of November 24, 2022, in Da Nang, the Management Board of Au Thuyen and Tho Quang fishing port in collaboration with the Center for Environment and Community Research (CECR) held a conference to launch the “Community joins hands to protect the environment at Au Thuyen and Tho Quang fishing port” initiative under the Collective Actions for Water Conservation (CAWACON) project funded by USAID. The conference was moderated by Mr. Vo Nguyen Chuong – Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Attending the conference were representatives of the Border Guard; the People’s Committees of Son Tra District, Nai Hien Dong Ward, Tho Quang Ward; URENCO Company, and nearly 40 fishermen and small businesses at Au Thuyen and Tho Quang fishing port. Tho Quang.

Photo of the whole launching conference

At the conference, Mr. Nguyen Trung Thanh, Deputy Head of the Management Board of Au Thuyen and Tho Quang fishing port, presented the objectives and implementation plan of the “Community joins hands to protect the environment at Au Thuyen and Tho Quang fishing port” initiative. The initiative focuses on raising awareness of fishermen and small businesses about environmental protection regulations in the boat dock through effective communication solutions, combining tradition and application of information technology; forming appropriate and effective models for the community at Au Thuyen and Tho Quang fishing port in practicing activities in accordance with regulations, minimizing negative impacts on water environment quality at Au Thuyen, thereby contributing to the implementation of Decision No. 2375/QD-UBND dated July 6, 2020, of the People’s Committee of Da Nang City on the plan to deal with the environmental pollution in Au Thuyen and Tho Quang fishing port area, Da Nang city, for 2020-2025 the period.

Photo of Mr. Nguyen Trung Thanh – Deputy Head of the Management Board of Au Thuyen and Tho Quang fishing port

Representative of the sponsor, Dr. Nguyen Khac Hung – Director of CECR also shared related activities. According to him, the project at the Au Thuyen and Tho Quang fishing port was identified by CECR as one of the most central and important activities of the CAWACON project, aiming to contribute to reducing pollution in one of the environmental hotspots in Da Nang. Join hands to support the city to effectively implement Decision 2375/QD-UBND and support solving pollution hotspots according to the plan of the “Da Nang – Environmental City” Project, mobilizing the participation of the community in carrying out environmental protection activities, applying new initiatives, applying information technology in contributing to the protection of water resources in the Au Thuyen.

Photo of Dr. Nguyen Khac Hung – Director of CECR

The initiative focuses on three core activities: Supporting means of implementing communication activities; carrying out communication activities to promote the collection and classification of waste at grocery markets, wholesale markets, and ships docking at the wharf through banners, leaflets, newsletters over loudspeakers, and propaganda via Zalo, applications; Implementing models to mobilize the participation and companionship of the community, including the model of the Community Environmental Monitoring Team, the model of Information technology application in waste management of fishermen and small businesses.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ha – Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Agency shared that this is an initiative with a creative approach, implementing communication activities in both traditional ways through banners as well as combining using information technology through Zalo and specialized applications for Au Thuyen and Tho Quang fishing. The models in the initiative show the participation of the community, namely fishermen and small businesses. Therefore, the Management Board needs to consider and absorb the opinions of the community in the implementation of communication solutions and models that need the participation of the community to achieve the best results.

Photo of Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ha – Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Agency

During the discussion and exchange session of the community about the project’s activities, fishermen and small business gave many related opinions:

Mr. Nguyen Xau (fisherman in Da Nang) said, “I and other fishermen collect all kinds of waste in the process of stopping fishing and bring them back to shore. Those waste such as plastic bottles, soda cans, etc., are for sale. We only suggest that we need to be provided with more suitable equipment like garbage rackets and net bags so that we can continue to carry out waste collection and bring it back to shore. I and my fishing fleet fully support the implementaion of the project and pledge to participate fully.”

According to Mr. Phan Chau Thanh (fisherman in Da Nang), “Since there are propaganda and activities asking to bring garbage back to shore, when I go fishing, I put all the water bottles and plastic bags in the bag hanging at the back of the boat. There are many people on other ships that do not comply, I told them that now there are such requirements, if they do not comply, put garbage into the sea, it will follow the water and drift back to shore.”

Mr. Nguyen Xau (left) and Mr. Phan Chau Thanh (right)

Mr. Vo Nguyen Chuong – Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment concluded the launching conference: “We will accept comments during the discussion and exchange session. The relevant comments within the framework of the project are requested the Management Board of the Au Thuyen and Tho Quang fishing port receive, adjust and implement. Thank the CECR for continuing to accompany and support effectively implementing activities at the Au Thuyen. Other relevant feedback will be raised to discuss and resolve community issues in the regular meeting of Decision 2375.”

Photo of Mr. Vo Nguyen Chuong – Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment