Thanh Hoa official apologises over land grab accusations   Party Secretary of Thanh Hoa Province Trinh Van Chien has made a frank admission of responsibility and apologised for a decision that has affected local fishermen.  Chien had a meeting with local fishermen on March 7 after their 10-day protest against the decision allowing a Vietnamese firm to build a coastal tourism zone in Sam Son Town. The protest started on February 26 saw the participation of hundreds of the fishermen, urging authorities to re-consider the decision as it could remove access to coastal land that nearly 10,000 residents need. Thanh Hoa Party Secretary Trinh Van Chien and local fishermen after the meeting   The fishermen docked their boats along the 3.5km-long coastline that was planned to be handed over to the project’s investor, the FLC Group. The province had planned a new dock to replace the old one, but most fishermen disagreed with the idea, saying it was too far from their houses. At the meeting, Vu Nhu Kinh, a fisherman in Sam Son Town, said that fishing is the traditional livelihood of generations in the locality. Local people would not be given any compensation from the project developers, but just wanted around one kilometre of Sam Son beach to be reserved for them to continue earning their living. Meanwhile, the rest could be used for the tourism project. The secretary said he was sorry for what had happened over the last 10 days, and he instructed to ring-fence between 300m-1.5km of the coastline from the project to ensure the livelihoods of the locals. He said that marine management must be based on laws and public interest, denying the rumour that the entire Sam Son beach would be handed over to private businesses. According to the official,  the confiscation of the current wharf has not yet been decided, so the fishermen who disagree with the project could continue their usual fishing activities and possibly receive compensation. “If anyone or agency which ends the use of the wharf without my approval will be strictly disciplined,” he emphasised.          By Bui Hoang Tam , dtinews.vn