Formosa Pollution: Devastating Vietnam's Environment And Ecology

In April 2016, Vietnam experienced one of its worst environmental disasters when Formosa Ha Tinh Steel, a subsidiary of the Taiwan-based Formosa Plastics Group, discharged toxic chemical waste into the ocean through drainage pipes. This resulted in the deaths of millions of fish and had a devastating impact on the livelihoods of fishing communities and tourism in the region. The pollution affected more than 200 km of local seawaters and four coastal provinces in Central Vietnam. The Vietnamese government faced widespread protests and criticism for its handling of the disaster, including accusations of concealing findings and using excessive force against protesters. Formosa eventually admitted responsibility and agreed to pay $500 million in compensation to the Vietnamese government, although the distribution of this compensation has been criticized for a lack of transparency.

Formosa's illegal discharge of toxic waste

In April 2016, Vietnam experienced one of the worst environmental disasters in its history. The Formosa Ha Tinh Steel plant, a subsidiary of the Taiwan-based Formosa Plastics Group, discharged toxic chemical waste off the coast of Ha Tinh province, killing millions of fish and destroying the livelihoods of fishing communities.

Formosa had imported 300 tonnes of chemicals to clean a sewage pipe connecting the plant to the ocean. The company discharged these toxins into the sea through underwater drainage pipes. The toxins exceeded the permitted level, and the result was massive marine life destruction. Government statistics estimated that at least 115 tons of free-swimming fish, 140 tons of farmed fish, and 67 tons of clams were killed. However, the real figures are likely much higher, with tons of shrimp, cuttlefish, squid, and other aquatic animals also killed.

Formosa initially denied responsibility for months, but eventually admitted fault on June 30, 2016. The company pledged $500 million in compensation, but this was paid to the Vietnamese government rather than the victims. Residents of affected provinces have complained about the lack of transparency in the payment of compensation, including obstacles to claiming damages and misappropriation of funds by local authorities.

The disaster sparked widespread protests in Vietnam, with people demanding a cleaner environment and transparency in the investigation process. Protesters faced repression from the government, with police using excessive force and arresting demonstrators. Even after the protests, the Vietnamese government continued to silence critics, with at least 41 activists involved in the protests sentenced to prison terms.

Devastating impact on marine life

The Formosa disaster, also known as the Vietnam marine life disaster, was a water pollution crisis that began on April 6, 2016, and had a devastating impact on marine life in Vietnam. The main perpetrator was identified as Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh, Ltd. (FHS), a subsidiary of the Taiwan-based Formosa Plastics Group. The company discharged toxic industrial waste into the sea through underwater drainage pipes, leading to the death of millions of marine animals and destruction of marine ecosystems.

Government statistics estimated that at least 115 tons of free-swimming fish, 140 tons of farmed fish, and 67 tons of clams were killed due to water pollution. However, the actual figures are likely much higher, with tons of shrimp, cuttlefish, squid, and other aquatic animals also perishing. The toxic pollution affected more than 200 kilometres of coastline in four central provinces of Vietnam: Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue.

The pollution not only caused massive fish deaths but also had long-lasting impacts on marine ecosystems. It disrupted the food chain and affected the breeding and migration patterns of marine species. The chemicals released into the water, including cyanide, phenols, and iron hydroxide, contaminated the seawater and sediment, impacting the health and reproduction of marine organisms. The pollution also damaged coral reefs and other marine habitats, reducing the diversity and abundance of marine life in the affected areas.

The consequences of the disaster were felt across the region, with thousands of fishermen losing their livelihoods. Fishing communities struggled to recover, as fish stocks took years to replenish. The tourism industry also suffered, as visitors stayed away from beaches that had once been renowned for their pristine beauty. The economic impact was significant, with more than 40,000 jobs affected in the fishing and tourism industries alone.

In the aftermath of the disaster, there were widespread protests and rallies demanding accountability and transparency from the Vietnamese government and Formosa. The Vietnamese authorities took steps to address the pollution, including ordering Formosa to remove the sewage pipes and providing compensation to affected communities. However, the response was criticised for a lack of transparency, and the recovery of marine life in the affected areas has been slow.

Formosa's acceptance of responsibility

The Formosa Ha Tinh Steel plant, owned by the Taiwan-based Formosa Plastics Group, was identified as the main perpetrator of the Vietnam marine life disaster, also known as the Formosa disaster. The disaster was a water pollution crisis that began on April 6, 2016, and resulted in massive fish deaths in the seas of four provinces in central Vietnam: Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue.

Formosa initially denied responsibility for the disaster for months. However, on June 30, 2016, the company accepted responsibility for the environmental pollution that led to the marine life disaster. During a press conference held by the Vietnamese government, it was announced that Formosa had been found to discharge toxic waste into the sea through underwater drainage pipes, with wastewater containing toxins exceeding the permitted level.

Formosa admitted that there was a sewage pipe connecting the plant to the ocean, and it was reported that 300 tonnes of chemicals had been imported by the company just days before the incident. Following the disaster, Formosa pledged US$500 million in compensation to the Vietnamese government, not to the victims. This decision sparked protests by Vietnamese citizens, who called for a cleaner environment, transparency in the investigation and compensation process, and the expulsion of Formosa from Vietnam.

The Vietnamese government has been accused of repressing protests and silencing critics, with at least 41 activists involved in the protests being sentenced to prison terms. The government also denied that the Formosa steel plant was linked to the disaster and was accused of concealing the findings from the public. Despite the evidence and Formosa's acceptance of responsibility, the road to justice for the victims has been challenging, with some taking their case to Taiwan due to the difficulties in pursuing justice in Vietnam.

Protests and government repression

The Formosa disaster, also known as the Vietnam marine life disaster, was a water pollution crisis that occurred in Vietnam in 2016. It was caused by the illegal discharge of toxic industrial waste by Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh, Ltd. (FHS), a subsidiary of the Taiwan-based Formosa Plastics Group, into the sea through underwater drainage pipes. This resulted in the death of millions of fish and destroyed the livelihoods of fishing communities. In the aftermath of the disaster, there were several protests and instances of government repression.

Protests against Formosa began as early as April 2016, with hundreds of fishermen in Canh Duong commune, Quang Trach district, Quang Binh province, protesting fiercely and demanding the government expel Formosa from Vietnam and restore the clean sea. On May 1, 2016, there were protests in some cities, with people calling for a cleaner environment and demanding transparency in the investigation process.

In February 2017, Hoàng Đức Bình travelled with fishermen from Quỳnh Lưu District, Nghệ An Province to the local courts in Hà Tĩnh Province to file civil suits against Formosa. He was subsequently arrested and charged under Vietnam's 1999 Penal Code with "resisting officers acting under their duty" and "abusing freedoms and democratic rights to infringe upon the State's interest or the rights and interests of other entities and individuals."

On March 5, 2017, protesters gathered on Nguyễn Du Street and in front of the Ho Chi Minh City post office. Police tried to disperse the protesters, and there were reports of arrests and assaults on protesters. Overseas Vietnamese also joined in the protests worldwide, demanding greater action against Formosa and protesting police abuse.

The Vietnamese government has been accused of cracking down on protests and silencing critics. At least 41 activists involved in the protests were sentenced to prison terms, with 31 still imprisoned as of 2024. Notable cases include Nguyễn Văn Hoá, a journalist who covered the Formosa protests and was sentenced to seven years in prison, and Lê Đình Lượng, a citizen journalist sentenced to 20 years in prison and five years of house arrest.

In addition to the arrests of protesters, the Vietnamese government has also been accused of retaliating against victims and advocates seeking justice. Some victims took their case to Taiwan in 2019, but faced challenges due to the requirement for notarization by Taiwan's mission in Vietnam, which the Vietnamese government made difficult.

Impact on livelihoods and tourism

The Formosa pollution incident in Vietnam had a devastating impact on the livelihoods of those living in the affected areas. The toxic waste spill killed millions of fish and destroyed marine life across more than 200 km of coastline in four central provinces of Vietnam: Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue. The fishing industry was particularly hard hit, with operations of nearly 2,600 fishing boats halted, resulting in unemployment for around 3,000 labourers.

The pollution also had a significant impact on tourism in the region. The affected provinces were dependent on tourism, and the pollution led to a decline in visitor numbers as tourists avoided beaches that had lost their pristine reputation. The Quang Binh Department of Culture, Information, and Tourism reported that about 30% of tourists coming to Quang Binh canceled their tours and hotel bookings along the beach.

The Vietnamese government's response to the disaster also caused anger and frustration among the public. While the government declared the sea clean and seafood safe, fishermen reported that fish stocks had not recovered. The government's lack of transparency in handling the disaster and the suppression of protests further fueled public outrage.

The pollution's impact on livelihoods extended beyond those directly employed in the fishing and tourism industries. The pollution affected the agricultural sector, with hundreds of hectares of rice destroyed by mice in Kien Giang Province's Giang Thanh District. The total number of jobs impacted across the country was estimated to be a quarter of a million by the labour ministry.

The disaster also had long-lasting effects on the environment and marine life. Even a year after the spill, locals reported a slow recovery, with fish catches significantly lower than before. The pollution's impact on the ecosystem and food chain is likely to have had lasting consequences, and the full extent of the damage may never be truly known.

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