March 4, 2008

Vietnam to hold tra and basa aquaculture dialogue

Vietnam will hold discussion on tra and basa aquaculture standards, focusing on developing criteria and indicators, in Can Tho City on March 27-28.

Participants will review existing research related to tra and basa aquaculture and identify research gaps that need to be addressed to create credible, measurable standards.

Jose Villalon, director of World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) US Aquaculture Programme, said the dialogue would ensure that the rapid growth of the tra and basa industry is good for the environment, society and the economy.

The standards will minimise or eliminate the eight main environmental and social issues related to the farming of tra and basa - the two key pangasius species.

Issues such as water pollution and health management were identified by participants at the first Dialogue meeting, held in Ho Chi Minh City last September.

Vietnam's criteria for pangasius farming will provide direction on how to address each of the issue.