HÀ NỘI — The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee yesterday reviewed the development of the marine economy along with national defence and security in 2011-16.

The committee lauded Government and local authorities’ efforts in supporting fisherman and aquaculture businesses in achieving both goals.

According to the NA’s monitoring mission, in 2011-2016, marine fishery output growth averaged 5 per cent year-on-year. By the end of 2016, the total number of fishing vessels nationwide hit 110,000. To date, Việt Nam has rebuilt and expanded 83 fish ports, and is building 65 storm shelters.

In the three years since a Government decree on fishery development was implemented, the number of near-shore fishing vessels has fallen by 13.2 per cent while their offshore counterparts witnessed a jump of 20.1 per cent.

The monitoring mission also pointed shortcomings in efforts to combine economic development with national defence. A lack of equipment, slow progress in upgrading infrastructure like ports or piers, small-scaled production that lacks a master plan at risk of diseases and environmental pollution, among others, were some of the flaws mentioned.

Stressing that fishermen play a critical role in developing the marine economy and protecting the country’s sea and island sovereignty, Chairman of the NA Committee for External Relations, Nguyễn Văn Giàu, called on the Government to come up with more support mechanisms for these people. Giàu also said attention must be paid to “any action that causes damage to the interests of the State and fishermen.”

Nguyễn Hạnh Phúc, NA Secretary General, proposed establishing local militia-like forces in aquaculture zones, saying that due to their value, disputes and theft occur frequently.

NA Chairwoman Trần Thị Kim Ngân urged more monitoring of overexploitation of marine resources and studying a periodic fishing ban. She also wanted the monitoring mission to look into the issue of Vietnamese fishermen intruding into neighbouring countries’ seas, as well as foreign vessels infringing Vietnamese waters.

The NA Chairwoman commented that the prevailing mentality is prioritising economic benefits while disregarding national security concerns, or vice versa, showing that the two aspects have not been harmonised.

The NA Standing Committee agreed to continue strengthening the implementation of laws and policies on aquaculture production, harvesting, and processing in tandem with ensuring national defence and security.

Session concluded

Following the discussion on marine economy development, NA Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân, the NA Standing Committee concluded the eight-day 14^th session.

The NA Chairwoman said the NA Standing Committee will decide to issue a resolution or conclusion for each agenda.

The NA Standing Committee’s 15^th session will run for three days from October 11 to 13, reviewing the agenda for the NA’s 4^th working session.

The NA’s 4^th session will start on October 23 and last for 23 days. — VNS