Developing sustainable and responsible fisheries

Conference overview.

The conference was attended by delegates from 28 coastal provinces and cities.

Currently, the country has more than 82,000 fishing vessels and 2,000 processing facilities; 78 fishing ports, 80 anchorage areas. The fishing industry has created jobs for more than 4 million workers; average growth rate of 3%/year, period 2010-2024; contributing 10% of GDP of the agricultural sector; exploitation output ranks 7th in the world. However, the current fishing industry still has some major problems such as: Declining fishing resources; overexploitation, low economic efficiency; widespread illegal fishing activities; weak post-fishery service infrastructure; fragmented, spontaneous production, lack of linkage chain. The causes of the above problems are due to the imbalance between exploitation strength and resource capacity; backward exploitation level; limited investment in infrastructure development, technology, human resources; irresponsible and destructive exploitation...

Along with that, the implementation of the Project on career conversion and reduction of fishing vessels in localities in the past time has not received due attention, the number of fishing vessels converted to careers is still very low; some career conversion models have been implemented but have not achieved high efficiency, some models have even failed after a period of pilot implementation. The main reason is that the career conversion method and policy mechanisms of each locality are not adequate and not suitable to reality, leading to the slow implementation of career conversion in seafood exploitation, especially in coastal fishing occupations such as: Ben Tre , Kien Giang, Binh Dinh, Quang Ninh, Da Nang and Nghe An.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Duc Giang spoke at the conference.

Speaking at the conference, on behalf of the leaders of Thanh Hoa province, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Duc Giang warmly welcomed representatives of ministries, branches, central agencies, and the agriculture and environment sector of the provinces attending the conference. At the same time, he outlined the economic situation and potentials and strengths of Thanh Hoa province in socio-economic development in general and marine economic development in particular. In the field of fisheries, Thanh Hoa currently has a total of 6,613 fishing vessels, ranking first in the Northern region and 12th in the country; has 8 fishing ports, 4 storm shelters with a capacity of more than 2,000 fishing vessels serving fishing vessels docking and anchoring to avoid storms; has 28 fishing vessel building and repair facilities; has 80 seafood processing and export enterprises; has about 44,000 fishing workers; seafood output in 2024 will reach 219,702 tons; The growth rate of the fisheries industry reached 6.6%, production value reached 14,512 billion VND...

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Duc Giang affirmed: In order to develop the fisheries industry into an important economic sector of the country, contributing to socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security according to the Fisheries Development Strategy to 2030, vision to 2045 approved by the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment organizing a conference to discuss solutions for effective, sustainable and responsible fisheries development is very necessary in the current situation. Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Duc Giang hopes that State management agencies, scientists, businesses and fishermen will have effective orientations and solutions in management, production and business to help the fisheries industry overcome the current difficult and challenging period.

Delegates discussed and analyzed the advantages and difficulties of sustainable and responsible fisheries exploitation today.

To achieve the goal of developing the fisheries sector by 2030 with specific targets such as: Industry value growth of 3-4%/year, exploitation output of 2.8 million tons, export turnover value of 5 billion USD, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment sets out many tasks and solutions to develop fisheries effectively, sustainably and responsibly. Focus on converting to aquaculture and aquaculture services for localities with potential for developing marine aquaculture.

At the conference, delegates focused on discussing and evaluating the Vietnam Fisheries Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2045, programs and projects to implement the strategy towards reducing exploitation, increasing aquaculture and promoting marine conservation, protecting and developing aquatic resources.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien delivered a concluding speech at the conference.

Concluding the conference, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien emphasized: Fisheries exploitation must be associated with combating IUU, focusing on the implementation of registration and inspection of fishing vessels, voyage monitoring equipment; traceability of products... At the same time, focus on reviewing the fleet structure, fishing structure, focusing on improving equipment, especially post-harvest preservation, increasing added value and competitiveness of products in the market; pay more attention to vocational training for fishermen, ensuring social security; strengthen management, inspection, and strictly handle violations of IUU fishing.

He suggested that localities develop specific mechanisms and policies within their authority to promote the reduction of exploitation, develop aquaculture at sea, strengthen marine conservation, protect aquatic resources associated with livelihood conversion for fishing communities in accordance with local conditions. At the same time, deploy the establishment of marine reserves and aquatic resources protection areas under their management, organize the management of marine reserves after their establishment in conjunction with the development of ecotourism, resorts, and entertainment in the reserves, and protect aquatic resources. Prioritize the allocation of resources for marine reserves to operate effectively in terms of human resources, finance, infrastructure, and equipment. Build and replicate models of livelihood conversion for fishing communities to other livelihoods suitable to local conditions. At the same time, develop plans and arrange resources to conduct vocational training for fishermen, marine conservation management skills, operate circular economic models and highly skilled labor for the development of marine aquaculture in an industrial and modern direction.

Khanh Phuong

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/phat-trien-khai-thac-thuy-san-hieu-qua-ben-vung-va-co-trach-nhiem-245275.htm