October 29, 2004

Swift Progress Seen in Vietnam's Aquaculture, Fisheries

Aquaculture and fisheries in Vietnam have shown swift progress over the last 10 years. They recorded a 12% year-on-year increase in the 1999-2003 period, thereby making great contributions to the national poverty alleviation programme.

The World Bank (WB) made the assessment at a seminar jointly held by the Ministry of Fisheries and the WB.

Weaknesses in the fisheries sector, including the overexploitation of marine resources along the coastal area and environmental pollution were also highlighted.

Meanwhile, the ministry focused discussions on major issues such as better management of the environment and marine resources along the coastal area as well as aquaculture, so as to define priorities in the development of the sector and issue relevant support policies.

The fisheries sector accounts for about 4-5% of the total GDP.