Breeding marine fish in floating cages in Kiên Giang Province’s Phú Quốc District. – VNA/VNS Photo Lê Huy Hải

CẦN THƠ – Fisheries output is expected to reach 8.2 million tonnes this year, much higher than the target of 6.5 – 7 million tonnes set under a 2016 -20 sustainable seafood development programme, according to the Directorate of Fisheries.

The export value is expected to be US$10 billion against a target of $8- 9 billion.

The output last year was 8.15 million tonnes, 4.38 million from aquaculture.

Yet the Government has invested only VNĐ14.5 trillion ($626 million) in the programme, or 29 per cent of the amount earmarked, for building fishing ports, storm shelters for fishing boats, seafood farming areas, fish fry farms, and other infrastructure.

Speaking at a seminar to review the programme in Cần Thơ City this week, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phùng Đức Tiến said the investment has been too low with the development of infrastructure not meeting the requirement even as the country signs more and more international trade agreements.

Aquaculture has huge potential and so the country needs to reduce its catch at sea and increase marine aquaculture to develop fisheries sustainably, he said. 

Developing strategy

He presented a draft strategy for seafood production for the period up to 2030 to gather public opinion before submitting to the Government for approval.

It aims to expand the fisheries sector until it accounts for 30 per cent of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

It seeks to increase output to 10 million tonnes a year, 25 – 30 per cent from the sea and 70 – 75 per cent from aquaculture.  

It aims to increase exports to $18 - 20 billion a year and creating 3.5 million jobs.

It requires all processors who export seafood to comply with food safety and environmental protection requirements.   

Lưu Hoàng Ly, director of the Bạc Liêu Province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the strategy should have a loan programme for developing seafood production and managing farms.

Besides, infrastructure should be created to serve shrimp farming, he added.

Officials from the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta, which accounts for 70 per cent of the country’s aquaculture output, said in recent years the investment in fisheries has been inadequate to fulfil the country’s potential in aquaculture.

Zoning plans should regulate the number of fishing boats allowed for each province, they said.

There should be zoning plans for local aquatic species that have high export potential like eel, frog and giant river prawn, they said.

The strategy should help fishermen who work near shore switch to aquaculture or services, they added.

Nguyễn Thanh Dũng, deputy chairman of the Cần Thơ City People’s Committee, said aquaculture production and seafood processing in the delta and elsewhere face many difficulties and challenges like low technology, insufficient infrastructure, lack of funding, climate change, pollution, and disease outbreaks. 

The strategy would play an important role in restructuring fisheries to increase value addition and achieve sustainability, ensuring the country integrates globally and catches up with other countries in science and technology, he said. – VNS