HCM City is seeking to achieve sustainable fishing by strictly monitoring vessels and penalising illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — HCM City plans to achieve sustainable fishing by properly managing fishing vessels and output and ending illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

It hopes to have 50 per cent of fishing boats using hi-tech fishing and preservation methods to retain seafood quality. 

It will encourage supply chain linkages and between fishing and eco-tourism and community tourism at traditional fishing villages.

Other targets include sustaining annual growth at 1.5 per cent, providing regular training to all boat captains and keeping them abreast of national and international fishing regulations and teaching fishermen fishing techniques and safety procedures.

To achieve the targets, the city has been developing seafood supply chains by helping set up cooperative groups and joint ventures and stimulating demand in domestic and foreign markets.

Besides, fishing activities are carefully managed with inspections and monitoring of vessels, and stringent sanctions on unregistered and unlicensed boats and all acts of IUU fishing.

The city has also identified marine aquaculture as an integral part of its agriculture, and aims to expand the farming of finfish, shellfish, molluscs, and other species.

It will identify new areas for marine aquaculture in Thủ Đức City and districts such as Nhà Bè and Cần Giờ, and solicit investment in infrastructure, farming services and fishing logistics. 

The city is also seeking to attract investment in mollusc farming areas to meet ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) or MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) quality standards. — VNS