Decision No. 1690/QD-TTg dated September 16, 2010 of the Prime Minister approving Vietnam's fisheries development strategy through 2020

DECISION

APPROVING VIETNAM S FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY THROUGH 2020

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the December 25, 2001 Law on Organization of the Government At the proposal of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,

DECIDES:

To approve Vietnam s fisheries development strategy through 2020 with the following contents:

I. DEVELOPMENT VIEWPOINTS

1. To develop fisheries into a commodity production industry with prestigious brands and high competitiveness in international economic integration by promoting the advantages of an industry producing and exploiting renewable

resources and advantages of the tropical fishing industry, converting traditional fishing into modern fishing, creating comprehensive development, thereby further contributing to the national socio-economic development, successfully realizing the Resolution of the 4th plenum of theX^thParty Central Committee on Vietnam s marine strategy through 2020, developing Vietnam into a strong and rich sea-based country.

2. To continue the economic and labor restructuring along with industrializing and modernizing the fisheries sector and reorganizing fisheries production in all areas of exploitation, aquaculture, mechanical engineering and logistic services as well as processing of aquatic products based on value chains, from raw-material production to processing and consumption, aiming to raise to the utmost the efficiency of Vietnamese aquatic products. To form big fishing centers in the Tonkin Gulf, the central coastal region and the southeastern and southwestern regions attached to key fishing grounds.

3. To improve living standards and conditions of the fishermen community and train human resources for the fishing industry, which are the objectives and driving force of fisheries development. To consider farmers, fishermen and enterprises as major subjects of fisheries production and create interest connection between them, which serves as a breakthrough in the fisheries sector renewal process. To continue relocating and resettling inhabitants while preserving and promoting cultural identities of fishing villages,X^thParty Central Committee on agriculture, farmers and rural areas.

4. To develop fisheries toward quality and sustainability.

5. To improve the capacity of state management of fisheries through access to the science of community-based integrated management of the fishing industry and interaction with other industries towards sustainable development of fisheries and the fishing industry.

II. TARGETS TO 2020

1. To basically industrialize and modernize the fisheries sector and continue comprehensively andsustainabillydeveloping it into a large commodity production industry with rational structures and forms of production, high productivity, quality, efficiency, prestigious brands, competitiveness and steady integration into the world economy. To gradually raise fishermen s intellectual standards, material and spiritual life while protecting the ecological environment and defense and security in sea and island areas of the Fatherland.

2. The fisheries economy to make up 30-35% of GDP, within the agriculture-forestry- fisheries sector, with its production value rising by 8-10% annually. Seafood export turnover to reach USD 8-9 billion. The total fisheries output to reach 6.5-7 million tons, of which aquaculture accounts for 65-70%.

3. To create 5 million jobs for fishermen with an average per-capita income tripling the current level. To train over 40% of fishermen.

III. DEVELOPMENT ORIENTATIONS

1. Domain-based development orientations

To concentrate on researching and surveying resources, forecasting fishing grounds to serve exploitation; developing high-quality human resources for research and survey activities, and organizing fishing at sea.

To reorganize seafood production and fishing at sea through restructuring ships and boats and trades to suit sea areas and routes, natural environment and marine resources. To strengthen and develop such models of marine resource exploitation and production as production teams or groups, cooperatives, various forms of collective economy, joint ventures, partnerships, or seaborne logistic and sale services. To renew fisheries cooperatives and unions of fisheries cooperatives to make them really beneficial to fishermen, ensuring sustainable protection of the ecological environment, community linkage, development and social stability for sea areas and islands.

To build the fishing control force strong enough to protect resources and fishermen as well as to safeguard defense and security at sea and on islands.

To consolidate and develop fishing ship building and repair industries, working out an appropriate roadmap for converting ships with wooden shells into those with steel or new-material shells, developing allied industries to serve fishing ship building and repair industries. the production of mesh nets and fishing gears for fishing activities in association with investment to upgrade and modernize fish harbors and wharves, storm shelters, as well as coastal and island logistic service areas.

To build and develop a system of marine reserves and inland water reserves, multiply models of community-based management and adopt appropriate management mechanisms and policies; to introduce quality aquatic breeds into sea and inland basins seasonally for restoration, regeneration and development of aquatic resources. To build and establish mechanisms and policies for management of inland fishing, from surveying resources in river basins, streams and lakes to fishing and protecting aquatic resources and the environment.

- In freshwater areas:

To keep stable the aquaculture area of traditional fish species in rural, mountainous, deep lying and remote regions so us to increase food sources, create jobs and increase incomes for farmers households and mountainous people, practically contributing to eradicating hunger and reducing poverty. To constantly renovate structure, improve the quality of cultured species and specialties (eel, frog,trionychidturtle, blue-legged prawn, sea-eel, tilapia...) and new aquatic species (coldwater fish, aquarium fish...) for export, tourism and domestic consumption.GlobalGapstandards to the industrial production of Ira catfish (StripedPangasius) in the Mekong river delta.

- In brackish areas:

To continue strongly developing the rearing of aquatic species which create major staples for export, based on the market demand and suitable to conditions of each ecological region.

To form large-scale industrial farms meeting GAP standards and each market s demand, producing large commodity quantities for export and domestic consumption in the Red river delta, central coast region and Mekong river delta, associated with enabling traceability of origin and building prestigious and quality fishery trademarks.

To maintain, develop organic (ecological) aquaculture, innovative and extensive farming in alluvial grounds, lagoons and mangrove forests in order to turn out high-quality export products and protect the ecological environment and aquatic resources.

- For marine aquaculture:

To develop marine culture into a sizable industrial production line with big output for export, tourism and domestic consumption.

To finalize and announce planning on marine aquaculture areas: at sea.PhuQuoc).BaandQuangNinh).PhuYen andKhanhHoa), winkle, scallop... (Central coast region), fish (DaNang), cobia,HaiPhong,VungTauand Con Dao)... At the same time, to promote research and production of aquarium species for the domestic market, tourism and export.

To organize appropriate models of marine aquaculture such as military and local resident combination on islands and archipelagoes of TruongSpratly).

To apply advanced technical and technological standards and high technologies to seed production, concentrating resources to create disease-free aquatic seeds, first of all for tiger prawn, white-legged prawn and stripedpangasius.

To continue investing in the national aquatic seed centers, grade-I aquatic seed centers and consolidated seeding areas in southern Central Vietnam.

To review the planning of aquatic export processing plants, closely connecting processing facilities with material production zones and logistic service establishments (fish harbors and wharves).

To boost in-depth development and diversify products of processing, increasing added value in each aquatic product.

Russia...) while constantly expanding markets in order to increase shares in other markets (China, the Republic of Korea,

To organize fisheries production steps based on product value chains. To enable traceability of origin and build trademarks, especially for Vietnamese products with high competitive edge. To form domestic and overseas market channels.

To reorganize production, build partnership and benefit-sharing relations between enterprises, producers and scientists in order to facilitate and increase production efficiency. To pay special attention to the planning and reorganization of feed, bio-product and veterinary drug processing facilities to serve aquaculture, ensuring food quality, safety and hygiene, as well as harmony of interests between stages of the value chain in the fisheries production process while assuring equality between economic sectors and labor forces involved in fisheries production.

To concentrate investment on the synchronous consolidation and development of fishing ship building and repairing industries as well as the supporting industry, associated with construction of logistic facilities to serve fishing, culture and processing activities.

To step up the research and application of advanced technologies in the production of ship shells and engines as well as fishing gears; communication devices as well as tools and equipment for use in aquaculture, processing and fishing services.

2. Region-based development orientations

To develop industrial aquaculture in areas with favorable conditions while promoting traditional freshwater and brackish fisheries.

To bring into play the advantages of delta and alluvial areas to build organic (ecological) aquaculture models. To combine household, cooperation group and cooperative culturing models with farming models. To develop marine culture on the sea areas around CatBaand Bach Long Vi islands and bivalve mollusk culture along the provincial coasts. To invest in consolidating, preserving and developinggracilariafarming zones and developing aquarium fish culture, especially marine aquarium species, in association with tourism and export.

Major species to be reared in such areas are traditional freshwater fish and aquatic specialties, tilapia.

To expeditiously transfer a large number of inshore fishermen lo other trades such as tourism and aquaculture. To restructure fleets and fishing trades (reducing drift gillnet catches, increasing trawling and purse seining and offshore long-lining), converting wooden ship shells into steel ones and ones made of other new materials. The major fishing ground will be Bach Long Vi, moving towards south of the Tonkin Gulf and middle of the East Sea, combining fishing with defense and security protection.

To invest in upgrading aquatic product processing plants, shipyards and logistic facilities, creating synchronous coastal fisheries logistic centers inHaiPhong-CatBa-Bach Long Vi to serve fisheries activities in the region. To preserve and develop the CatHaifish sauce brand and build coastal fishing and craft villages into civilized ones with rich identities.

To build and develop marine reserves and inland conservation zones.HaiPhong.

To continue developing brackish-water aquaculture at river mouths, along the coast and in lagoons to meet export and domestic needs. To tap reservoir surface areas for aquaculture in order to create food sources for domestic needs, create jobs and increase income, contributing to hunger eradication and poverty alleviation in the midland and mountain regions. To further invest in building aquatic seed production facilities in the southern central provinces so that by 2020, the southern central region will become the largest aquatic seed production center in the country and Southeast

Asia. Major species to be cultured include tiger prawn, white-legged prawn,gracilaria in lagoons. pema viridis and gracilaria.

soudierncentral provinces for tourism and export.

To restructure fishing trades suitable to natural conditions and marine resources in the East Sea. To vigorously shift inshore fishing ships 10 engage in offshore fishing and join in oceanic fishing activities with ASEAN countries (Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia), transfer a number of inshore fishermen to other trades such as tourism and aquaculture.

To rearrange, invest in upgrading fisheries research and training institutions in the central region to create a driving force for seaward efforts.

To build fishing and logistic service models and models of public services suitable to offshore fishing grounds.

To build and develop marine reserves and inland conservation zones for the protection, regeneration and development of aquatic resources, and protection of the environment for aquatic ecosystems.

To review the planning of frozen export processing plants and processing establishments serving domestic consumption, enhance control of processing quality; to restore and promotePhanThietfish sauce brand and fish sauce-making village. To invest in logistic service facilities, ship building and repair industries, production of fishing gears and establishment of large fishery logistic service centers (DaNang,QuyNhon.KhanhHoaandBinhThuan), consider investment to upgrade a number of grade-1 fish harbors into international ones after 2012 to serve fisheries activities and fisheries integration with the region and the world. To invest in building processing and logistic service vessels for tuna fishing so as to increase capture efficiency and quality of tuna products. To concentrate on building the Vietnamese tuna brand.

To-be-cultured species include marine fishes, tiger prawn, white-legged prawn,molluscand specialties for tourism, export and local consumption.

To maintain organic (ecological) farming models in coastal areas and mangrove forests of Ho ChiMinhCity andBaRia-VungTauprovince.

To promote aquarium fish culture towards production of aquarium commodities for tourism and export. To build and develop marine reserves and inland conservation zones so as to protect the aquatic environment and ecosystems.

To keep and upgrade offshore fishing fleets while restructuring fishing boats, reducing drift-gillnetlingand shifting to mobile purse seining and offshore fishing. Major fishing grounds are the southeastern sea and the East Sea.

To review the planning of aquatic product processing plants, creating logistic service centers and facilities as well as bonded warehouses to serve aquatic product processing for export. To invest in infrastructure building, forming logistic service centers to serve fisheries development in the region and support fisheries development in the Mekong river delta (fishing infrastructure facilities inVungTauand Con Dao; logistic service and processing facilities in Ho ChiMinhCity andBinhDuong province, and a fisheries trade center in Ho ChiMinhCity...)

To convert part of the extensive fanning area into semi-intensive and industrial intensive fanning area in localities in which conditions permit. To apply advanced technologies and farming models as well as new standards (GAP. BMP,CoC) while protecting the ecological environment.GlobalGAPstandards in the stripedpangasiusproduction industry. To develop farms at sea and on islands. Major species to be cultured include tiger prawn, stripedpangasius,pangasiusbocourti, white-legged prawns, tilapia,mollusc, marine fish, blue-legged prawn,featherback.

To keep on a large area organic (ecological) aquaculture in the UMinhmangrove forest (Ca Mau andKienGiang).

To build a fisheries university and upgrade, build new fisheries research facilities, including stripedpangasiusand shrimp research institutions.

To restructure the fishing fleets, converting part of inshore fleets into offshore ones andfeningthem to other economic sectors. Major fishing grounds are in the southwestern sea, part of the southeastern sea, in addition to cooperation in fishing in the common sea areas.

To reasonably maintain inland fishing trades in association with protecting the environment, preserving, regenerating and developing aquatic resources.

To build and develop marine reserves and inland conservation zones to protect the environment and aquatic ecosystems. To preserve and developPhuQuocfish sauce brand and fish sauce-making village in association with developing marine ecotourism onPhuQuocisland.

To review the system of aquatic product processing plants attached with raw-material areas. To pay attention to two key products with great output, i.e., shrimp and stripedpangasius.KienGiang.TienGiangand Ben Tie, and on islands.

To develop aquaculture in reservoirs and water areas along rivers and streams, in association with preserving and developing aquatic resources, contributing to hunger eradication and poverty alleviation as well as supply of food to local residents. Major species to be cultured will be traditional ones, including freshwater fish and shrimp, as well as specialties such astrionychidturtle, eel and frog. To invest in researching and developing the culture of a number of cold water fish species such as salmon and sturgeon to serve tourism and domestic consumption.

To build and develop a number of inland conservation zones in order to protect, regenerate and develop precious and rare indigenous species and aquatic resources.

To supplement and consolidate the system of state management agencies in charge of fisheries in localities and invest in building and improving production and seed multiplication establish­ments, promoting fisheries extension, contribu­ting to eradicating hunger and reducing poverty and improving the living conditions of fishermen.

IV. MAJOR SOLUTIONS

1. Reorganization of production

To reorganize production based on value chains, from raw-material production to processing and consumption in all fields and regarding all products; to focus on marine fishing, culture of brackish water shrimps, stripedpangasius,pangasiusbocourtiand bivalvemollusc; creating a linkage of profit and risk sharing between raw-material producers and aquatic product processing enterprises. To organize models of production based on specific characteristics of each field, area and region. In addition to developing models of cooperation groups and community management, to pay special attention to both extensive and intensive development of cooperatives for economic, land and water surface accumulation in association with protecting the environment and resources for sustainable large-scale commodity production. Laborers

With regard to aquaculture: To strongly attract investment from enterprises and develop cooperative economy, joint-venture and partnership between processors and farmers. To build large aquaculture farms for industrial production. To quickly apply scientific and technical progresses as well as advanced management methods (GAP, BMP andCoC) to large aquaculture areas in order to increase productivity and output and ensure quality, food hygiene and safety, creating an abundant source of raw materials for processing plants.

With regard to aquatic resource exploitation and protection: To set up public-service fleets operating in four major fishing grounds, i.e., the Tonkin Gulf, the East Sea, the southeastern region and the southwestern region, in order to support cooperation groups and cooperatives in effective exploitation and production. To organize marine fishing services by encouraging economic sectors to form logistic service fleets and buying in bulk products from offshore fishing ships. Public-service fleets will, together with marine logistic service fleets of other economic sectors, will constitute a market for fisheries service products and seafood products, create opportunities and conditions for long-time seafaring, thus raising efficiency of fishermen s fishing activities. To well organize communication activities and prompt warnings for fishermen at sea, ensuring safety for seafaring, and organizing prompt rescue when incidents occur.

With regard to product processing and consumption: To develop a mechanism for joint venture and partnership between raw-material producers and businesses (inside and outside the country) in aquatic product processing, especially in the production of feeds, bio-products and aquatic veterinary drugs in the form of multi-ownership for the sharing of risks and benefits between the parties. To design a plan for development of processing plants and commercial cold stores so as to increase their effectiveness, regulate raw-material sources in a stable manner and contribute to stabilizing market prices and reducing post-harvest losses.

To reorganize, consolidate and build shipyards and fishing gear production establishments on the key fishing grounds.

2. Market development and trade promotion

To continue trade promotion in an effective manner for consolidation and development of traditional markets and major markets (EU.

To increase trade promotion for aquatic products in key markets (exhibitions, fairs, publicity and advertisement).

To build trademarks and set quality standards for a number of major aquatic products for export, meeting importing countries requirements on product quality, design and specifications.

3. Human resources training and development

To restructure and reorganize, consolidate, upgrade and expand the system of fisheries training establishments to meet production development requirements. To build a fisheries university and vocational training establish merits in the Mekong river delta. To adopt policies encouraging link-ups between research institutions and enterprises, farms and production establishments so as to quickly apply technical and technological advances to production.

To give incentives for training marine fishermen, particularly experts in marine resources, fishing, mechanical engineering and fishing ship registry.

4. Science and technology and fishery extension

To regularly update forecasts about fishing grounds to guide fishermen s production activities at sea.

To establish the Vietnam Fisheries Institute by merging Aquaculture Research Institutes 1

To adopt practical and suitable measures in scientific and technological cooperation with the countries in the region and the world in marine fishing, ship building and engineering, as well as in the establishment of communication systems for management of marine fishing.

To organize survey, research and comprehensive evaluation of natural and environmental conditions, resources and socio­economic conditions to provide grounds for making fisheries statistics in order to make production plans for each region in each development period.

To apply biotechnology and high technologies for successful production of disease-free aquatic seeds such as tiger prawn, white-legged prawns, stripedpangasius,pangasiusbocourliand other fishes and aquatic species, creatingproactivityin the production of quality aquatic seeds of Vietnamese brand, producing quality aquatic veterinary drugs and vaccines; and bio-products for environmental treatment.

To urgently research, transfer and apply advanced technologies in fishing gear production and mechanical engineering for fisheries.

To socialize fishery extension, broaden the network of collaborators for good communica­tion, guidance and exchange of information on science, technology and markets with producers.

5. Environmental protection, protection, regeneration and development of aquatic resources

To integrate environmental issues in the process of designing fisheries development plans for each field within the sector.

To enhance inspection and control and organize community management and supervision with regard to environmental management, and impose heavy penalties on production establishments which violate the Law on Environmental Protection, so as to mitigate waste discharged by polluting production establishments.

To prohibit the use of gears which destroy aquatic

6. Mechanisms and policies

In accordance with the current policies, it is necessary to study and supplement a number of new mechanisms and policies on:

- Incentives for investment in modernizing fishing ships.

- Incentives for development of the community-based fisheries management model.

- Incentives for marine aquaculture (10 replace Decision No. 126/2005/QD-TTg).

- Investment in building infrastructure of aquaculture areas.

- Investment in the quality control and management in the fisheries sector.

- Incentives for training fisheries technical and managerial personnel.

- Enhancing quality management and price valorization with regard to key aquatic exports.

- Incentives for the application of technical advances and standards to raise the quality of aquatic products.

The above mechanisms and policies should be regularly reviewed and appropriately revised and supplemented.

7. Enhancement of state management

To concentrate on building and improving mechanisms and policies on fisheries management, ensuring a favorable legal environment for fisheries production and trading in compliance with international law.

To increase measures of state management of aquatic product quality, control quality based on value chains and associated with traceability of origin, particularly with regard to the quality of seeds, feeds, veterinary drugs and bio-products used in aquaculture as well as preservatives for aquatic products. To intensify inspection and control of safety conditions of fishing ships and boats; to inspect and trace aquatic products as well as manage fishing safety.

To complete the system of technical standards, criteria, processes and conditions in fisheries production and trading as a basis for management and socialization of a number of stages in the state management of fisheries.

To multiply models of community-based state management, encourage models of cooperation and partnership in production, processing and consumption between processors, consumers and raw-material producers; and effective coordination between the State and socio-professional organizations.

To conduct and closely monitor assessment of environmental impacts in all regions, particularly aquaculture and aquatic product processing projects.

8. International economic cooperation and integration

To continue developing cooperation and joint venture of various forms in fishing, aquaculture, mechanical engineering, logistics, processing and trade with countries in the region and the world.

To enhance international cooperation on training of highly qualified personnel for the fisheries sector in the application of new and high technologies to marine fishing, production of disease-free seeds and seed multiplication, marine culture, industrial culture, production of feeds, bio-products, veterinary drugs, waste treatment, improvement of the environment and prevention of diseases...

To continue negotiating and cooperating with regional countries on fishing in overlapping sea areas, and ASEAN countries sea areas: ensuring shelters for fishermen in foreign sea areas in case of natural disasters, coordinating in joint marine patrol, and ensuring safety for fishermen at sea.

IV. MAJOR PROGRAMS, SCHEMES AND PROJECTS

1. The project on the master plan of Vietnam s fisheries development through 2020 with a vision toward 2030.

2. The scheme on marine aquaculture development through 2020.

3. The scheme on tilapia culture development through 2020.

4. The scheme on ship building and repairing industry development through 2020.

5. The scheme on fisheries human resource training and development through 2020.

6. The program on population relocation and building of fishing villages along coasts and islands according to new rural development criteria.

7. The scheme on fisheries control development through 2020.

8. The scheme on development of community-based management of fisheries.

9. The scheme on development of fisheries scientific and technological research and transfer during 2010- 2020.

10. The scheme on renovation and building of fisheries cooperatives and unions of fisheries cooperatives through 2020.

(The funds for the implementation of the strategy are estimated at VND 57.4 trillion, to be raised from the state budget, businesses, population, ODA andFDisources as well as other sources under Vietnamese law).

V. ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

1. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development:

To assume the prime responsibility for designing and submitting to competent authorities for approval the master plan on development of the fisheries sector through 2020 with a vision toward 2030; fisheries development plans for specialized fields and specific economic-ecological areas nationwide.

To assume the prime responsibility for designing, and organizing the implementation of, programs, schemes and projects to achieve the objectives of the strategy.

To assume the prime responsibility and coordinate with ministries, branches and provincial-level People s Committees as well as relevant agencies in organizing the implemen­tation of the strategy; to incorporate the strategy s contents into annual and five-year socio-economic development plans throughout the country.

To assume the prime responsibility and coordinate with ministries, branches and localities in organizing supervision and evaluation of the implementation of the strategy and regularly report on this work to the Prime Minister.

2. Relevant ministries and branches

The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance shall, based on the strategy, programs, schemes and investment projects approved by competent authorities, arrange and balance investments and adopt appropriate financial policies for the achievement of the strategy s targets.

The Ministry of National Defense shall coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in guaranteeing security and safety for fishermen operating at sea, organizing rescue and salvage for fisheries activities in sea areas and on islands.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall coordinate with die Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in directing localities to formulate mechanisms and policies on land and water surface use in fisheries activities in order to achieve the strategy s targets.

The General Statistics Office shall coordinate with the General Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and relevant, branches and departments in identifying contents, criteria and indexes for supervision and evaluation of the implementation of the strategy.

Other ministries and branches shall coordinate with one another in implementing contents of the strategy which are related to their respective branches and sectors.

3. Provincial-level People s Committees

Provincial-level People s Committees shall organize the implementation of the strategy through designing and implementing plans on fisheries development within their localities and locally managed sea areas.

4. Professional societies and associations:

The Vietnam Fisheries Association and the Vietnam Association of Seafood Producers and Exporters shall coordinate with the MinistrycfAgriculture and Rural Development in recommending mechanisms, policies and measures to encourage and assist organizations and individuals in making investment in developing fisheries while reorganizing production, ensuring efficient production and environmental protection; and. proactive!}

This Decision takes effect on the date of its signing.

Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies and chairpersons of provincial-level People s Committees shall implement this Decision.-