Vietnam pledge to promote sustainability
THE Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Vietnamese Directorate of Fisheries (D-Fish) last month pledged to work together to promote responsible aquaculture in Vietnam.
Chris Ninnes, ASC’s CEO, and Dr Pham Anh Tuan, deputy director general of D-Fish, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Hanoi on the eve of the Responsible Business Forum.
Vietnam decreed last year that pangasius farming, processing and exporting must be certified to VietGAP or equivalent standards by the end of 2015; this project is further evidence of the country’s commitment to developing a sustainable aquaculture sector.
‘The Vietnamese government is committed to reducing the negative impacts of fish farming in the country,’ Pham Anh Tuan said.
‘Building on the mandate that farms must meet VietGAP standards, this project will help move farms towards an internationally recognised standard, provide access to international markets and ensure a more responsible aquaculture sector.’
The organisations will implement a joint project to create guidance for VietGAP certified farmers to help them progress to ASC certification.