SFP project supports Vietnamese tra fish

Howard Johnson, a member of the UK Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) has defended Vietnamese tra fish.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) quoted his article saying the world’s tra fish output has increased by 10 fold since 2002 to reach 1.5 million tonnes and this is mainly due to the expansion of production in Vietnam. However, the SFP pointed out some shortcomings in the management and control of the water and food used in fish breeding.

According to Johnson, unlike many other organisations, the SFP does not encourage businesses to stop breeding tra fish as the problems do not relate to food hygiene but environmental protection. After putting Vietnam in its red list, the World Wildlife Fund also noted that this is only related to management issues.

He asked whether the recent criticism by some organisations aimed to confuse customers on the hygiene of tra fish and was part of the large campaign to cut down the Vietnamese share of tra fish in the US market.

His article revealed that last year, tra fish were in the top 10 of the most consumed aquatic products in the market chosen by the US Fish and Wildlife Services. This is a proof of for the popularity of this spices.

Over the past 3 years, the SFP has join in the argument over Vietnamese tra fish, starting with the cooperation with Can Tho University to test the water quality.

The SPF is currently carrying out an aquatic resources development and quality improvement project (AIP) in Vietnam, which works with both domestic producers and major customers from Europe and the US.

The SPF’s ultimate goal in Vietnam is to encourage a suitable management model for fish farms to stick to approved eco-standards. – VOV

Tags: Vietnam Tra fish exports