National programme on protection and development of aquatic resources approved
Vietnam will investigate and evaluate biodiversity, aquatic resources, and the habitat of aquatic species in Vietnam's waters, including deep sea areas, shallow waters, and underground water areas, under the national programme on protecting and developing aquatic resources until 2030 approved recently by the Prime Minister.
Illustrative image (Photo: baodautu.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam will investigate and evaluatebiodiversity, aquatic resources, and the habitat of aquatic species inVietnam's waters, including deep sea areas, shallow waters, and underground waterareas, under the national programme on protecting and developing aquaticresources until 2030 approved recently by the Prime Minister.
The programme requires that 100% of naturallakes, large reservoirs, and main river systems are investigated and assessedfor resources and habitat of aquatic species.
Aquatic resource reserves are expected to increase by over 5% compared to theresults of the investigation and assessment of aquatic resources in the 2016-2020period.
Meanwhile, 100% of marineprotected areas and artificial habitat areas for marine aquatic species will bemanaged and operated in line with provisions of the Law on Fisheries;and 60% of localities nationwide will implement co-management in protectingaquatic resources in association with building new-style rural areas and developingeco-tourism.
In recent years,Vietnam’s aquaculture area and output have increased rapidly, creating good productsserving domestic consumption and export as well. The aquaculture industry has contributedto increasing income and creating many jobs for farmers.
Statistics showthat Vietnam produced nearly 9.27 million tonnes of aquatic products in 2023, andthe country’s aquatic export earnings hit an estimated 9.2 billion USD in theyear.
Aquaculture, including about 1.3 million ha of inland ponds and 9.5 million cubic metres of offshore cage farming, has a total output of more than 5.4 million tonnes.
However, aquacultureremains scattered, making it difficult to control the environment and diseases.Additionally, farming infrastructure in some places is still not inconsistent, failingto meet development demand.
With practicalsolutions, the programme aims to conserve, protect, use and regenerate aquaticresources and ecosystems reasonably andeffectively.
Attention willbe paid to enhancing legal regulations onmanagement, protection and development of aquatic resources; completing andapplying policies on changing and diversifying livelihoods forcommunities living in and around marine protected areas, and fishingcommunities in coastal areas.
Mechanisms and policies to mobilise and effectively use domestic and foreignresources in conserving, protecting, regenerating, and developing aquaticresources, and restoring aquatic ecosystems will be developed and issued.
The programme also underlines the necessity to support the implementation ofco-management in protecting aquatic resources; enhance coordination mechanisms among authorised agencies to effectively inspect, control, detect and handleviolations of the Law on Fisheries at sea and inshore areas; and attract international resourcesand cooperation in sharing experiences and training and developing high-qualityhuman resources to serve the work./.
VNA
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