Norway and Vietnam agree major aquaculture co-operation

NORWAY and Vietnam have agreed to work closer together on the development of industrial scale aquaculture.

The two countries, both major fish farming nations, took part in a special webinar at the weekend. Norway is of course well known as the world’s largest salmon farmer, while Vietnam exports tilapia and shrimp to all parts of the world.

The news outlet Vietnamplus reports that the participants included the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam, Innovation Norway and the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Deputy Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Phung Duc Tien told the digital gathering that Vietnam’s strategy over the next decade and beyond was to expand aquaculture into an industry producing large volumes of products both for export and home consumption.

But he also pointed out that Vietnam’s fish farming industry faced challenges in a number of areas, including infrastructure, technology and on biological issues.

Vietnam’s marine aquaculture areas have posted average annual increase of 23.3% over the last decade, producing about 610,000 tonnes.

Grete Lochen, the Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam said her country’s businesses were ready to help this proposed development.

She said Vietnam had considerable potential when it came to aquaculture growth, adding that Norway had the experience to promote the sustainable development of industrial scale fish farming.

The session was told that to achieve its goal Vietnam needed to introduce modern technology and management structures.

Those taking part also shared information and experience on a number of aquaculture related issues including training and green technology.