PM Approves Long - Term Fisheries Development Plan

Prime Minister Phan Van Khai signed a decision on January 11 approving a master plan to develop the fisheries industry in Vietnam between now and 2010, with a vision for 2020.

 

The decision will take effect 15 days after it is made public.

 

Under the master plan, the industry is expected to develop itself as a major, competitive commodity production sector by 2010, able to earn huge export revenues and make a serious contribution to national socio-economic development, particularly in coastal and island areas.

 

The industry is set to develop rapidly and sustainably, on the basis of effective use of resources including land, water and workforce.

 

The industry will continue to be restructured to reach a balance between aquaculture and fisheries, production and processing, consumption and environmental protection.

 

Between 2010 and 2020, the industry is projected to develop concentrated aquaculture areas that will be combined with processing and services, establish fish-rearing centers in the coastal region and the southern delta, diversify finished products and develop special products for export.

 

Concurrently, offshore fishing will be further accelerated and onshore fishing will be stabilized.

 

Vietnam's total aquaculture production reached over 1.43 million tons last year, an increase of 19.5 per cent against the previous year. The country reportedly gained earning of US$2.65 billion from seafood exports in the year.

 

This year, Vietnam is expected to increase earnings from seafood exports by 5.66 per cent on-year to reach US$2.8 billion, said an official from Ministry of Fisheries.