Deprivation of marine and coastal resources due to overfishing, high rate of post-harvesting loss due to increasing population, poor execution and ineffective enforcement of harvesting regulations and laws are the challenges for Vietnam fisheries. Following the efforts that are being put into reforming fisheries towards sustainability and strengthening additional value, on 24 June 2014 Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries in collaboration with the Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) and with support from OCEANA, held the National Consultation Workshop: “Feasibility study and proposed solutions towards sustainable development of marine fisheries in Vietnam”.

In his opening speech, Mr. Nguyen Huy Dien – Vice president of the Directorate of Fisheries emphasized that Vietnam was one of the leading nations in the production of fisheries, and the industry of fisheries with some enhancement in the recent two decades, had played an important role in improving the national economy, delivering 5% in GDP and 8% in the total exportation value in 2014.

Mr. Nguyen Huy Dien, Vice President of the Directorate of Fisheries speaking at the Workshop

At the workshop, over 60 managers and experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Directorate of Fisheries, Office of Agriculture and Rural Development in Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Binh Dinh, Kien Giang, research institutions, associations, international and non-profit organizations gathered to discuss, analyze the status, difficulty, challenges, opportunities and propose solutions for a sustainable future for Vietnam marine harvesting.

Participants voicing opinions at the workshop

“This important research is a great opportunity for us to have a better look of the recent policies to improve and reform the fisheries industry” Mrs. Nguyen Thu Hue, Director of MCD said.

Mrs. Nguyen Thu Hue, Director of MCD, speaking at the workshop

The workshop received a lot of consultative ideas, analysis, feedbacks, appropriate and effective recommendations from the participants about the proposed problems, in order to better and perfect the research, to support the reformation process of the fisheries industry in Vietnam.

-MCD-