Vietnam Ministry Says Seawater in Four Central Provinces Safe Now

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) on Feb 13 released Document 380 saying that the maritime environment in the four central provinces affected by Formosa-related pollution has become safe, local media reported. The announcement was made after People’s Committee offices in the four provinces including Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue affirmed the safety of the local seawater. For the time being, the quality of seawater taken from the monitoring stations in the four central provinces has met the requirements of beaches, underwater sports facilities and aquatic production. On three zones do not qualify for the requirement, including Son Duong (300 square kilometers in Ha Tinh), Nhat Le (330 square km in Quang Binh), and Son Cha islet (160 square km in Thua Thien-Hue), according to local newswire Phap Luat TP HCM (HCMC Law). Earlier in September last year, the MoNRE conducted tests of seawater quality in the three mentioned zones, which showed that the seawater quality and sea residues were stable and within the allowed limits. According to local newswire Dan Viet (Viet People), in early February, the MoNRE requested the four central provinces to direct concerned agencies to regularly report on the results of monitored seawater quality. (Phap Luat TP HCM – HCM City Law; Thoi Bao Today Feb 13)