Dong Thap Spreads Awareness on Protecting Aquatic Resources

(DTO) On the morning of May 19, at the My Tho Well in the Tet Mau Than Park (Dao Thanh Ward), the Dong Thap Department of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the Provincial Police Department, the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Dong Thap, and the Dao Thanh Ward People’s Committee, held a fish release ceremony to regenerate and protect aquatic resources. 

The event was organized in celebration of the 67th anniversary of the Vietnam Fisheries Sector’s Traditional Day (April 1, 1959 - April 1, 2026) and the Vesak Celebration BE 2570 - AD 2026.  

The activity also aimed to commemorate the 136th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2026), while helping raise public awareness about environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and the meaningful tradition of “releasing living beings - preserving life.” 

During the ceremony, the representative of the Department of Agriculture and Environment launched a movement encouraging fish release to regenerate aquatic resources, calling on organizations and individuals to actively protect and restore natural fisheries, refrain from using electric pulses, explosives, or toxic chemicals for fishing, and avoid releasing invasive species into the environment. 

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, protecting, restoring, and developing aquatic resources not only helps stabilize local livelihoods but also plays a vital role in safeguarding ecosystems and the natural environment. Achieving this requires the joint efforts of the entire community in maintaining fish releasing activities in local water bodies to help recover and develop aquatic resources. 

On this occasion, the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Dong Thap conducted the Phap Sanh ritual, spreading a message of protecting life and living harmoniously with nature in the spirit of the Vesak Celebration. 

After the formal rituals, delegates, monks, nuns, Buddhists, and local residents continued to release various fish species into the My Tho Well, contributing to the restoration of aquatic ecosystems and the sustainable development of fisheries resources in the future. 

By H. THONG
Translated by ANH DUC