Lagoon Clean-up Event Organized in Vinh Hien

On April 22nd 2009, IMOLA project organized a lagoon clean-up event in Vinh Hien Commune in Phu Loc District. This event was organized in cooperation with the local authorities, Fisheries Associations, schools and community organizations in Vinh Hien Commune. The objective of this event was to clean debris from the lagoon shore and water to protect the aquatic environment, which has been polluted by human activities. This event was organized on the occasion of the Earth Day 2009 (22 April 2009). On this day, people around the world show their appreciation for nature, raise awareness on and take action for environmental conservation (see "Wikipedia on the Earthday" for more information).

Mr. Hoang Ngoc Viet, Vice-Director of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), in his opening speech, mentioned his proposal to the PPC to make April 22nd-the Earth Day as the annual lagoon clean-up day for the entire Tam Giang - Cau Hai Lagoon. If PPC approves this idea, there will be a great chance for awareness raising among the public on negative impacts of abandoned fishing gears and household garbage on the lagoon system and the importance of periodical lagoon clean-up.

The Earth Day received active participation from more than 120 kids from two local schools (12 groups) to collect garbage on the lagoon shore and 40 Fisheries Association members (10 groups) for garbage collection on the lagoon water by boats. The total amount of collected garbage reached around 1,600 kg, deposited at three collection points at Hien An I boat station, Hien Van II boat station, and Hien Hoa I. The collected garbage was later transported by the Waste Treatment Company to the waste treatment site in Thuy Phuong Commune of Huong Thuy District.

Initial evaluation revealed that the garbage was mainly plastic bags, beverage cans and bottles, snack wrapping, and waste paper (from the lagoon shore); and bamboo sticks, crates, net, rope, etc. (from the lagoon water). IMOLA plans to provide more detailed analysis of the findings from the event to Vinh Hien CPC for appropriate solutions in the waste control and management in the future. In the closing ceremony , IMOLA presented some encouraging gifts for kids and Fisheries Associations as reminders for Earth Day.