In a troubling incident at Phu Long village near Cat Ba Island, thousands of farmed fish have died suddenly, causing severe distress among local fishermen. The deaths of these fish, primarily barramundi, occurred in late June and early July, leading to substantial financial losses for families who rely on aquaculture for their livelihoods.

Nguyen Van Hung, a 64-year-old fisherman, reported that his family, along with others in the area, depend on the sea for their income. Each day, they catch large fish to sell while raising smaller ones in cages for future sale. His family had around 200 barramundi, many weighing between 2-5 kg, ready for market. However, the sudden mass death of the fish left them with nothing, losing both their investment and potential profits.

Similarly, Bui Thi Thuy, 48, who has been in the fish trading business for years, lost about 250 barramundi from her four cages, estimating her losses at around 500-700 million VND. She noted that barramundi are generally resilient and can withstand harsh conditions, making this incident particularly alarming.

Residents of Phu Long village have raised concerns regarding the environmental impact of wastewater discharge from the Son Truong Company, which operates an industrial shrimp farming project nearby. In late June, locals observed dark, foamy water with a strong odor flowing from the company's discharge area into the Phu Long River, which then leads to the sea. This has raised suspicions that the wastewater may have contributed to the fish deaths.

The Phu Long area, characterized by its mangrove forests and proximity to Cat Ba Island, has been home to generations of fishermen who rely on aquaculture. The Son Truong Company, which has been operating for over a decade, is under scrutiny as local authorities investigate the situation. Pham Van Hop, head of the Department of Construction, Agriculture, and Environment in Cat Hai District, confirmed that local officials are actively looking into the matter, and the police have been called to assess the situation further.

As the investigation continues, the local fishing community remains hopeful for a resolution that will prevent such devastating events in the future and protect their livelihoods.