Vietnam Sets Major Fisheries Targets by 2010

Vietnam Sets Major Fisheries Targets by 2010

Vietnam's fisheries sector has set the target of producing 3.4 million tons of seafood and earning US$4.5 billion in export turnover by 2010, according to the Ministry of Fisheries.

To turn these figures into a reality, many active measures should be initiated to prevent the degradation of the natural environment and to ensure sustainable development, the ministry said.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Pham Khoi Nguyen said to protect the environment and ensure the sector’s sustainable development, Vietnam needs to take concrete actions that conform with the national strategy on environmental protection.

The fisheries sector, Nguyen said, should continue to apply the advanced technology in producing and packaging aquaculture products in order to maintain sustainable development and help minimize harm to the environment. They are also important elements in raising the high output of the sector, he added.

Maintaining and upgrading aquaculture resources are two activities, which will maximize sustainable output, he said, citing the raising of specimens living in brackish water and the conservation and management of sea turtles as areas that could be improved.

In its course of development, the fisheries sector has enjoyed support and assistance from many places. Vietnam is a signatory to many international treaties and conventions relating to fisheries as well as bilateral agreements with other regional countries. Through these co-operative activities, Vietnam’s integrated management capacity has been improved, contributing sizably to food security and economic development.

Deputy Minister of Fisheries Nguyen Viet Thang said in recent years, export turnover from the fisheries sector has contributed greatly to the country’s earning capacity. The sector’s export revenue has increased from US$2.32 billion in 2002 to US$2.240 billion in 2003 and nearly US$2.4 billion in 2004 compared to only US$205 million in 1990, he added.

However, aquaculture resources are dwindling due to over fishing. It is reported that at present 37 species of fish, 5 species of shrimp, 27 species of molluscs and other sea creatures contained in Vietnam’s Red Book are on the verge of extinction.

Another factor adding to the problem is the increase in the number of fishermen. From 1990-2000, the number of fishermen in the country has almost doubled, rising from 270,587 people in 1990 to 540,000 people in 2000. Due to their lack of capital, fishermen stay close to the shore and use small mesh fishnets, both of which drain resources.

The ecosystem in all rivers and coastal areas has been seriously polluted by the reckless dumping of wastewater and waste without prior treatment to the water flow. Recent oil spills have also caused great concern as they seriously pollute the sea and destroy animals and plants.

Better management of marine resources and compulsory registration of vessels are required to sustainably develop the country’s fisheries sector, said Vu Van Trieu, an official of the Ministry of Fisheries. The fishing industry has quickly developed into one of the most dynamic economic sectors in the country. Between 1990-2004, total production from fishing and aquaculture increased three-fold. Of this, yield from fishing went up 2.4 times, from 700,000 tons in 1990 to 1.7 million tons in 2004.

But the fishing industry is facing many challenges, including over exploitation of marine resources, high input costs, decreasing revenues, and fierce competition.
Domestic fishing industry is relatively small, with 84 per cent of fishing vessels equipped with engines of less than 90 horsepower, which in turn has increased the pressure on shallow water fishing. Between 1990 and 2000, an estimated 2,300 large and small-sized fishing vessels began fishing in shallow waters. On top, equipment used by fishermen has harmed aquatic resources and posed a danger to marine life.

To correct these imbalances, the fisheries industry will focus on sustainable development of marine resources by minimizing shallow water fishing, reducing the number of small-sized fishing vessels, developing off-shore fishing, and cutting production costs. The industry will also strengthen policies, including granting fishing licenses, to manage the fisheries sector more efficiently, Trieu said.

VNS