Vietnam Plus –
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 10 billion USD against a target of 8- 9 billion USD.
The output last year was 8.15 million tonnes, 4.38 million from aquaculture.
Yet the Government has invested only 14.5 trillion VND (626 million USD) in the programme, or 29 percent 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 Can Tho city this week, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien 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.
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 percent of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.