As demand grows for responsible and sustainable fisheries amid deeper global integration, protecting and restoring aquatic resources has become an urgent priority for coastal localities.
Reporters from Gia Lai Newspaper and Radio & Television spoke with Cao Thanh Thương, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, about solutions to safeguard aquatic resources while advancing a sustainable blue economy.
* Mr. Thương, what are the key focus areas of the province’s 2026 plan for protecting and developing aquatic resources?
Mr. Cao Thanh Thương. Photo: N.N
- The 2026 plan takes a comprehensive approach, combining marine ecosystem conservation, restoration of natural resources, and tighter management of fishing activities.
Our primary focus is to refine mechanisms and policies while strengthening the effectiveness of state management in the fisheries sector. This includes reviewing fishing methods and gear, proposing updates to the list of prohibited or restricted practices, and identifying areas where seasonal fishing bans are needed to allow resources to regenerate naturally.
At the same time, we will gradually establish and manage aquatic resource protection zones more effectively. Resource restoration programmes will also be expanded through the timely release of native species, tailored to the ecological conditions of each marine area.
Another priority is enhancing the protection of endangered and rare aquatic species, as well as ecologically valuable marine animals. In line with international regulations on marine biodiversity, we will promote stronger coordination among agencies in monitoring, rescue operations, and controlling harmful exploitation activities.
We also aim to strengthen the role of fishing communities through co-management models. Encouraging community participation not only improves resource protection but also promotes responsible fishing practices, supporting long-term sustainability.
Effective protection of aquatic resources requires a coordinated approach to rationally exploiting marine potential while ensuring the capacity for resource regeneration and recovery. Photo: N.N
* How will patrol, inspection and control of fishing activities be improved in 2026 to enhance compliance and management effectiveness?
- Patrol and inspection are key tasks, not only for detecting and handling violations but also for building a transparent and responsible fishing environment aligned with legal requirements and international commitments.
We are moving from ad-hoc inspections to a system of regular, continuous and targeted monitoring. The Department will work closely with the Border Guard, Police and local authorities to conduct comprehensive patrols across marine areas, river mouths, fishing ports, and seafood collection and processing facilities.
Through these efforts, destructive fishing practices, such as the use of electric shocks, explosives, chemicals or banned gear, will be identified and strictly penalised. We will gradually phase out environmentally harmful practices while supporting occupational transitions in line with the province’s Fisheries Development Project.
Our approach goes beyond enforcement. We are also focused on raising awareness among fishing communities. Legal education and guidance on sustainable practices will be regularly delivered through training programmes and communication activities at ports and coastal areas.
In parallel, the province will implement support policies to help fishermen transition to alternative livelihoods and maintain stable incomes.
* How do you view the relationship between protecting aquatic resources and building a modern blue economy?
- Protecting aquatic resources is the foundation of the blue economy. If resources are depleted and marine ecosystems degraded, it will be impossible to sustain long-term growth in the fisheries sector.
That is why conservation and restoration are treated as prerequisites in our marine economic development strategy. We aim to balance two objectives: the rational use of marine resources and the capacity for natural regeneration.
A key solution is restructuring fishing activities by reducing pressure on nearshore areas while gradually expanding organised offshore fishing, with stricter management of output and fishing grounds.
At the same time, we are prioritising the protection and restoration of critical marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and natural spawning grounds. These ecosystems act as “natural nurseries” for marine life and play a vital role in the recovery and sustainable development of aquatic resources.
Reporters from Gia Lai Newspaper and Radio & Television spoke with Mr. Nguyễn Đình Kha, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, about preparations for the launch of E10 RON 95-III biofuel and public concerns surrounding fuel quality, safety, and supply.
As copyright infringement and illegal digital content distribution become increasingly sophisticated, Vietnamese authorities are stepping up efforts to strengthen intellectual property (IP) protection in the digital era.
Inside a sprawling 60,000-square-metre complex of laboratories and greenhouses, millions of acacia and eucalyptus seedlings grow under fluorescent lights in sterile glass jars.
Authorities in Gia Lai province are intensifying efforts to support businesses and accelerate investment projects, with 34 investor-led projects entering operation since the beginning of 2026, contributing to industrial growth, employment and local economic development.
Authorities and business representatives on May 20 launched construction of Đak Đoa Industrial Cluster No. 2 in Đak Đoa commune, Gia Lai province, a project valued at VND 435.8 billion ($16.7 million).
Authorities in Vietnam’s Gia Lai province aim to complete the implementation of traceability systems for durian products across the province by the end of 2026, according to Plan No. 194/KH-UBND on agricultural product traceability.
Gia Lai has become a major destination for large-scale livestock investment projects in recent years, particularly in the western part of the province.
Authorities in Gia Lai province are seeking investors for a scenic rest stop project on the southern side of Vinh Hoi Pass, with a minimum investment requirement of 25 billion VND (about USD 960,000), excluding land lease fees.
Petrol retailers and distributors in Gia Lai province are preparing to fully replace conventional gasoline with E10 RON 95-III biofuel from June 1, as authorities push forward with plans to promote greener energy and reduce emissions.
Vietnam has introduced sweeping tax relief measures for individuals, household businesses and small enterprises under a new government decree aimed at stimulating private sector development and encouraging business expansion.
Construction on Vietnam’s strategic Quy Nhon-Pleiku Expressway is accelerating during the dry season, but provincial authorities have warned that delays in central government funding allocation for 2026 could threaten project progress and place mounting pressure on contractors.
In April 2026, the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee issued Document No. 3861/UBND-KGVX, authorising the use of the geographical name “Gia Lai” for registration of the certification trademark “Gia Lai durian”.
Vietnam’s crab fishing industry has been granted equivalency recognition by the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), expanding access for Vietnamese crab exports to the American market.
Gia Lai has approved commune-level master plans for 111 out of 135 communes and wards as of early May 2026, achieving more than 82% completion as the province accelerates efforts to reorganize development space and strengthen investment competitiveness following administrative restructuring.
Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee Pham Anh Tuan on Monday chaired a meeting with enterprises trading with Cambodia through the Le Thanh International Border Gate, focusing on resolving bottlenecks affecting cross-border commerce.
Gia Lai Province is intensifying efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing through stricter enforcement, expanded digital monitoring and stronger accountability measures, following the issuance of Directive No. 34/CĐ-TTg by Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Quốc Dũng on April 25.
Petrolimex Gia Lai One Member Limited Liability Company will fully transition all of its retail fuel outlets to E10 RON 95-III and V biofuel from June 1, 2026, ending the sale of conventional gasoline across its entire network.
Gia Lai is restructuring its One Commune One Product (OCOP) program with a stronger focus on food products, prioritizing quality standardization, value-chain production, brand development and market expansion.
New rice varieties are significantly improving production efficiency and supporting more sustainable farming practices in Vietnam’s Gia Lai province, as farmers report higher yields, lower costs, and stronger market linkages.
Gia Lai province is accelerating its transition to low-emission agriculture, targeting carbon credit markets and long-term sustainability as part of its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
More than four decades after waves of post-reunification migration, Vietnam’s Central Highlands province of Gia Lai has transformed from sparsely cultivated land into a major agricultural production hub, driven by settlers who built new lives on basalt soil.
Farmers in the remote western districts of Gia Lai province are increasingly adopting clean agriculture practices, boosting product value, stabilizing market access and improving incomes through standardized, technology-driven production models.
Gia Lai province aims to produce between 800,000 and 900,000 tonnes of finished steel annually by 2030, under a government-backed industrial development plan, authorities said.
Dozens of households and businesses in Gào Commune have voluntarily donated land and funds to accelerate the construction of a key rural road, helping local authorities resolve long-standing transport bottlenecks and support economic development.
