Early morning on 13/10, the Economic Police Department of Hanoi Police, in coordination with other units, discovered three cases of using electric shock devices to catch aquatic products on the Red River and Duong River. All violating equipment and tools were seized. These cases commonly involved electric nets connected to generators on motorboats.

In Hai Phong, on 24/9, Le Dai Hanh Ward police issued an administrative fine to a 47-year-old man for using an electric shock device on a fishing boat to exploit aquatic products on the Kinh Thay River.

Recently, the use of electric pulses and shock devices for fishing has occurred in many rivers and canals nationwide. "This is not a livelihood but an act of environmental devastation, leaving unforeseen consequences for the ecosystem", stated the Department of Environmental Crime Prevention and Control Police (Ministry of Public Security).

Beyond administrative penalties, the Investigation Police Agency of Dong Thap Provincial Police recently proposed prosecuting Tran Minh Vuong for destroying aquatic resources, under clause one, article 242 of the Penal Code. Vuong was accused of using a wooden boat equipped with an electrical discharge device and a raking frame with a net on the Hau River.

Tran Minh Vuong with equipment for electric fishing. *Photo: Police provided*

According to authorities, individuals using electric shock devices for fishing on rivers often live along waterways, face difficult circumstances, or have limited legal awareness. These activities typically occur at night or in the early morning. Driven by "immediate economic benefits", they do not realize that electricity can destroy everything from large and small fish to fish eggs and plankton.

"The law absolutely prohibits the exploitation of aquatic products using electricity", warned the Department of Environmental Crime Prevention and Control Police.

The boundary between fines and imprisonment

Authorities will impose fines of 3-5 million dong for electric shock fishing activities not involving fishing boats, such as fishing on foot or using small, rudimentary boats. The fine increases to 5-40 million dong if a fishing boat equipped with an electric shock device is used, and it will progressively increase with the boat's length.

Specifically, individuals directly using electricity from the grid for fishing will be fined 40-50 million dong. Organizations that violate this will face double the penalty.

Anyone who has been administratively penalized for this act and reoffends or causes serious consequences may face criminal prosecution for destroying aquatic resources, with a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The scene of an electric fishing incident. *Photo: Police provided*

To effectively prevent electric shock fishing, the Ministry of Public Security requires that no crimes be overlooked and that administrative processing not replace criminal responsibility assessment when sufficient grounds exist. Conversely, cases lacking elements constituting a crime should not be criminalized.