Quang Binh seafood stockpile woes

After the recent Formosa mass marine environmental incident, more than 5,000 tonnes of seafood in four central region provinces have remained stockpiled, as it has remained unsold, while causing environmental issues of its own. Although this stockpile of seafood was ordered to be handled and destroyed, the process still faces difficulties.

Phuoc Sang cold storage is one of the largest seafood storage facilities in Quảng Bình Province. After the Formosa marine pollution incident, seafood was stockpiled and not sold. Authorities tested some samples and reported that this storage contains 120 tonnes of poisoned seafood. This is causing this business many difficulties.

“We're very worried about the many expenses we have to pay, including electricity bills, and interest to the bank. We don't know who to sell these to either”, said Hoang Thi Huong, Director of Phuoc Sang Ltd., Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province

“We want to deal with the stock as soon as possible to clear the warehouse and prepare for the 2017 fishing season”, said Bui Quang, Thanh Quang Frozen Storage Company of Quang Binh Province.

At the four central provinces affected by the Formosa incident, about 5,000 tonnes of frozen seafood is stuck in storage. The government has requested to destroy some 1,000 unsafe tonnes with full refunds, and sell the other 4,000 tonnes and provide 30% subsidy for this remainder. However, the subsidy has not been transferred to localities.

“We only need a little more than US$400 from the government so we can deal with this inventory fast, before December”, said Nguyen Thi Le, Deputy Director of An Binh Frozen Food Imports and Exports, Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province.

In order to destroy the poisoned seafood, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has to allow compensation to frozen food companies. However, since there has been no compensation so far, this is affecting production, sales and the environment, because many fishermen are starting their new season, and demand for storage is high.