Solutions to fishery sector development discussed

Solutions to building a multi-purpose irrigation system for fresh and brackish water in line with climate change scenario were put forward at a seminar in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on April 25.

The seminar titled ‘Vietnam’s Fishery: Potential, Development and Integration” which is part of the Vietnam Seafood Festival 2010 stressed the need to focus on human resources training for aquaculture, exploitation and processing.

Community-based production through cooperatives and breeding associations should be applied to minimise risks and protect the environment, said many attendees, adding that these efforts aim to raise the aquaculture area to 890,000 ha with an output of 3.6 million tonnes and export revenues worth US$5.5 billion in 2020.

Currently, off-shore fishing technology and facilities remain modest and obsolete and there remains shortcomings in applying biotechnology in aquaculture, said the seminar.

Vietnam now has 15 fishing grounds with the depth of between 10 and 280m and 1 million ha of aquaculture with 70% of area being in the Mekong Delta that accounts for 90% of the nation’s export volume.

The fishery sector creates 4 million jobs and exports products to 170 countries and territories. Its export turnover rose from US$1.5 billion in 2000 to US$4.2 billion in 2009 and is expected to reach US$4.5 billion this year.

To create seafood products’ prestige, the seminar laid stress on the strict management of foodstuff hygiene and safety, the application of bio-technology in producing breeds and building concentrated zones.

It also suggested to diversify products, develop a market information system, modernise fishing ports and build big shelters and logistics service in Con Dao island of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, Phu Quoc island of Kien Giang province and Ca Mau province.

It is necessary to renew fishing vessels’ equipment to develop a future industrial fishing fleets and build seafood markets at each regions.

Tags: Vietnam fishery sector