Representatives from 28 coastal localities nationwide gathered at a conference in the south central coastal province of Khanh Hoa on April 5 to seek measures for sustainable exploitation, preservation, processing and consumption of aquatic products.
Participants heard reports on forecast of fishing grounds and resources, as well as made recommendations on fishing, processing and domestic consumption of seafood catches, and food safety.
Nguyen Hoai Nam, Vice Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), proposed measures to boost seafood export while calling on agencies at all levels to help address issues facing enterprises.
Participants also discussed food safety observance on fishing vessels and at ports, logistic services, upgrades to ports and administrative procedures for certification of seafood meeting quality requirements of the EU.
Concluding the event, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong urged the fisheries sector to restructure towards sustainable, responsible development, effective exploration, and climate change adaption.
The ministry needs to review drastically and provide information timely for people and enterprises while developing a close chain of seafood processing to improve product quality, he said.
He also urged the aquaculture sector to make planning with application of advanced technology and find consumption markets.
Reports show that in 2017, the nation’s aquatic output reached over 3.42 million tonnes, exceeding the yearly target by 3.7 percent, and up 5.7 percent from 2016. In which, the seafood catches made up of over 3.22 billion tonnes. The rest was inland aquatic output.
VNA