8 tons of Koi relocated from Hanoi lake

The fish were removed from Dam Dong Lake per a decision by the Tay Ho District People’s Committee. All of the 8 tons of fish, which weigh 1-2 kg each, were captured by special nets before being transported onto trucks.

The fish will be moved to the capital’s West Lake flower valley, located about 1 km away from the Dam Dong, according city workers. The city began relocating the thousands of fish, which were brought to the lake in June by a private business at a cost of VND6 billion ($246,457), last week.

Tran Thi Thuy, a representative of the company responsible for putting the fish in Dam Dong, said the fish were imported from Thai Binh Province that borders Hanoi. They were released into the lake as a local attraction and drew large crowds of people to view and feed the fish, she said.

However, on Oct. 29, Tay Ho District announced that Dam Dong was to be reserved for lotuses only. As such, the Quang An Ward People’s Committee had to void a contract that had allowed the firm’s fish in the lake. The committee then ordered that all of the Koi be removed from the lake.

The ward managed to reach an agreement with the company and paid no compensation.

The Dam Dong lake spans 3.5 ha and is 1.2-1.4 m deep. Prior to the fish, lotus plants were the only life visible on the lake.