(vasep.com.vn) In the first half of the year, Vietnam’s capture production totaled an estimated volume of 1,311 thousand MT, representing an increase of 3.6 percent year on year in which marine catch was estimated to touch 1225,6 thousand MT, up 3.8 percent.
The provinces reporting high output were Binh Thuan (74,096 MT), Ba Ria-Vung Tau (140,177 MT), Kien Giang (208,218 MT).
After registering high production in the early months of the year, tuna output slowed down and tended to a contraction in May - June due to its low price. Sharp downfall in tuna price was attributable to those fishermen who tended to shift fishing method from tuna longline fishing to tuna handlines using lights. This method results in lower quality catches.
In June 2013, aquaculture production was estimated to hit 422 thousand MT, showing a rise of 1.5 percent compared to the same period of 2012. However, in Jan-June 2013, total aquaculture production fell by 0.4 percent to an estimated 1,425 thousand MT.
From the start of the year to June, pangasius production was planned to generate 515 thousand MT on the farming area of 5,200 hectares.