Aquatic sources of income falling rapidly
The uncontrolled exploitation of many different kinds of fish is rising rapidly, resulting in a loss of aquatic resources and the ability to regenerate and renew fish stocks.
The country’s annual seafood output of 4.5 million tonnes is a boon for local areas to reduce poverty and improve living conditions. Despite this fact, the seafood sector is facing a lot of challenges including the decline of sources of income from aquatic products in domestic aquaculture and coastal areas.
Disappearance of aquatic species
The country’s total seafood reserves are estimated at 5.1 million tonnes and the total output of the maximum sustainable exploitation is 2 million tonnes, however, the current total output has now reached 2.27 million tonnes.
The country’s total seafood reserves are estimated at 5.1 million tonnes and the total output of the maximum sustainable exploitation is 2 million tonnes, however, the current total output has now reached 2.27 million tonnes.
In Hai Phong alone, seafood production is on red alert. The Head of Hai Phong provincial Seafood Protection and Exploitation Department, Vu Van Hop says,“ Aquatic sources of income are declining sharply and some rare and precious aquatic species are gradually disappearing. Consequently, we need to boost stocks of rare and precious fish species to save from extinction by applying artificial reproductive methods and promoting protection and conservation.”
The Deputy Head of the Seafood Protection and Exploitation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nguyen Ngoc Oai attributes the falling aquatic sources, the danger of extinction and the destruction of the aquatic eco-system in the country’s territorial waters to large-scale exploitation by fishing boats and fleets.
However, offshore fishing still has a great potential for further development in the future. In 2000, total offshore fishing output reached 192,000 tonnes and this figure rose to 546,000 in 2006.
The list of rare and precious aquatic species in danger of extinction and exotic aquatic creatures which are being destroyed such as the white butterfish, red eared turtle and fresh water lobsters is constantly getting bigger.
Nguyen Ngoc Oai says that local people’s lack of awareness of exploitation has led to a sharp fall in aquatic resources. Due to the irregular monitoring of aquatic resources, lack of scientific knowledge and updated information, Vietnam has not yet drawn up detailed plans for long-term exploitation and development.
Comprehensive measures needed
As a result, investment in the protection and development of aquatic resources remains wide off the mark. Many localities have not been provided with adequate capital to conduct proper inspections of natural resources.
As a result, investment in the protection and development of aquatic resources remains wide off the mark. Many localities have not been provided with adequate capital to conduct proper inspections of natural resources.
Vu Van Hop says that since the Government’s Programme 131 on protection and development of aquatic resource until 2010 came into effect, local authorities have asked the Government, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance to provide more financial support for the programme to go ahead as it has paid off over the past 6 years.
Experts also say that the relevant state agencies should develop other aquatic resources and models to introduce to those who are unable to exploit inshore fisheries effectively to turn a profit. Vietnam needs to close some fishing grounds in rotation or periodically to prevent wanton exploitation.
The expansion of inshore aquaculture should be restricted,” says Nguyen Chu Hoi, Deputy Head of the Vietnam Sea and Islands General Department. We need measures to control fishing equipment which destroys our resources, he adds. 
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