December 5, 2007

Vietnam fisheries to net 1.85 million tonnes in 2008

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development says Vietnam's fisheries sector will net 1.85 million tonnes of seafood in 2008.

The target was made at a national conference on safe exploitation of marine resources held in the port city of Hai Phong from December 3 to 4.

Experts said 2008 weather and meteorology forecasts are not unusual, and no large changes in marine resources are expected.

Statistics show that the country now has 68,000 fishing vessels with 11,000 having 90 CV capacity or more.

However, fishers will face difficulties as prices of production materials and fuel continue to increase and ocean resources become exhausted.

At the conference, relevant ministries and sectors discussed management of fishing ships, decreasing natural resources, information and forecast on export markets, and materials for seafood processing.

They also provided feedback on the draft program for the exploitation, protection and development of ocean resources till 2015 and vision 2020.