The information on the pollution investigation results was released on August 26 in the central province of Ha Tinh.
Prof. and Dr Mai Trong Nhuan from the research group said the seawater and sediment quality in the monitored areas off the coast of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue is within the permissible limits for bathing, water sports, aquaculture and marine species conservation areas.
However, due to eddies in certain areas, some environmental parameters are still high in the waters about 1.5km offshore from Son Duong port of Ha Tinh, Nhat Le beach of Quang Binh, and Son Cha Island of Thua Thien-Hue.
Nhuan, who is from the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, said the application of advanced technology to solve the marine pollution needs thorough assessment.
Scientists believe that in the short term, the affected provinces need to conserve seafood resources areas or raise abalone in coral areas to clean the environment naturally, he added.
Dang Ngoc Son, Vice Chairman of the Ha Tinh provincial People’s Committee, said the local administration requested Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Co. Ltd, which admitted responsibility for the mass fish deaths along the central coast in April, thoroughly address the incident’s consequences, soon complete environmental protection technology installment, and not repeat similar environment-related violations.
In late June, this company accepted responsibility for the incident. The pollution damaged about 400 hectares of coral and affected over 260,000 people who earn their living from sea-related activities.
The company pledged to provide over VND11.5 trillion (US$500 million) in compensation, which will be used to support local fishermen and recover the polluted maritime environment. It also vowed to deal with shortcomings in waste and wastewater treatment.
