Illustrative image (Photo: 24h.com.vn)Hanoi (VNA) - According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exportersand Producers (VASEP), aquaculture can make up tens of billions of USD a yearfor Vietnam’s GDP if its potential is fully tapped.
It cannot be denied that the country’saquaculture have constantly witnessed healthy development in both farming areaand output. Specifically, the total area for aquaculture to date is 40,000hectares, 1,200 ha more than that of 2010, with an output of 308,000 tonnes,nearly double the figure of 2010.
However, the Directorate of Fisheriesunder the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said total areasuitable for aquaculture in Vietnam covers 244,000 hectares in coastal regionsand islands, far larger than the aforementioned number of current aqua farmingareas.
The development of Vietnam’s aquacultureis seemingly unplanned and spontaneous with low-quality breeds which fall shortof consumers’ demands, it added.
Other factors, such as farmers’ outdatedfarming methods and technologically backward cage aquaculture also hinder thedevelopment of aquaculture.
In order to tackle the issues, theassociation should exert great efforts to proactively assist localities indetailed planning for fishes, crustaceans and molluscs, as well as increasesurveillance over their implementation of aquaculture planning.
Besides, disease prevention and control,and farmers’ compliance of farming procedures and substance uses require meticulousattention.
The association is also urged to worktowards synchronous policies in technology, incentive credit and taxes, andtrade promotion for a sustainable development of the country’s aquaculture.
Noticeably, the Vietnam Sea-cultureAssociation (VSA) has recently been established, opening up an effectivecommunication channel among enterprises, scientists, farmers and governmentauthorities in implementing target programs on sea culture value chainformation.
The VSA’s establishment is expected toexploit untapped aquaculture potentials of the country’s sea and islands forgreater economic value.-VNA
VNA
