The fisheries sector and the environmental challenges in sustainable development
The Vietnamese fisheries sector is a vital economic pillar, contributing significantly to the GDP and creating jobs for millions. However, as the industry expands its production and exploitation scale, it faces mounting environmental challenges. Activities such as aquaculture and seafood processing, combined with the increasing number of large fishing vessels, have led to severe issues, including water pollution, depletion of aquatic resources, and negative impacts on biodiversity.
In response to these challenges, the Party and Government of Vietnam have issued numerous policies to promote sustainable development in the fisheries sector. Among these is Resolution 36/NQ-TW of 2018 on sustainable marine economic development, which emphasizes marine environmental protection. To actualize this resolution and the Fisheries development Strategy to 2030 with a vision to 2045, the Prime Minister approved the Environmental Protection Project in Fisheries Activities for the 2021–2030 period (known as Project 911) in July 2022. This project aims to control, prevent, and address pollution in fisheries activities from 2021 to 2030, serving as a critical policy framework to ensure environmental protection in the sector.
Project 911 sets core objectives to minimize environmental impacts from fisheries activities, including waste management, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, conservation of aquatic resources and habitats, climate change adaptation, and the development of green production models and circular economy practices. Through the project, the government aspires to transition from an exploitative economic model to a more sustainable one, where businesses and fishing communities play proactive and responsible roles in resource and environmental protection.
Project 911 is not only an environmental protection strategy but also a long-term development direction to ensure the survival and sustainability of the fisheries sector amid climate change and increasing international market demands for eco-friendly products. The conference acknowledged efforts in pollution control and outlined strategic directions to integrate stakeholders, including local governments, businesses, and fishing communities.
Evaluating the implementation of Project 911 in localities
During the discussion, the Director General of the Department of Fisheries, Mr. Tran Dinh Luan, highlighted the achievements and challenges of implementing Project 911 at the local level. Delegates pointed out positive outcomes since the project’s inception, particularly the integration of its objectives into local socioeconomic development plans. Some pioneering seafood companies have transitioned to green production models, adopting emission-reducing technologies and minimizing waste. Furthermore, scientific research organizations have actively proposed technical solutions to mitigate pollution in fisheries production activities.
The conference recognized significant achievements under Project 911, including raising environmental awareness among fishing communities, transitioning businesses to environmentally friendly production models, and conducting communication programs to enhance marine environmental protection awareness.
However, Mr. Luan also noted persistent challenges, such as limited financial resources, uneven awareness across localities, and the complexities of marine environmental management. Currently, there are substantial disparities in the progress and effectiveness of Project 911’s implementation between regions. While some areas have made notable advances by incorporating the project into local development plans and adopting green production models, others remain at the planning stage without actual implementation.
Overcoming these challenges requires socialization of environmental protection efforts and active participation from businesses and fishing communities. “Enterprises can contribute through tourism and recreational activities while demonstrating greater social responsibility for environmental protection,” Mr. Luan remarked. He also urged localities to strengthen collaboration with international organizations and projects, such as the USAID - funded Coastal Ecosystem Protection Project, to secure foreign funding and technical support.
The conference outlined sustainable development directions for the fisheries sector, prioritizing specific measures to enhance environmental protection. Key solutions include promoting and replicating circular economy models in aquaculture, reducing post-harvest losses, and strictly managing water quality and waste treatment.
Mr. Luan emphasized that achieving Project 911’s goals requires enhanced supervision and support for enterprises and fishing communities. Additionally, greater collaboration between international organizations and local authorities is necessary to bolster financial, technical, and professional resources for improving green, eco-friendly fisheries production systems.
Capacity Building for Environmental Management
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Image 2: The conference featured representatives from numerous agencies, organizations, and experts.
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A notable side activity of the conference was a series of technical training sessions jointly organized by the Department of Fisheries and IUCN from 19th to 21st November 2024. These events aimed to strengthen the capacity of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and national parks across the country, focusing particularly on key regions such as the Mekong Delta. Through these training sessions, representatives from local management agencies gained enhanced knowledge and skills in environmental protection and sustainable coastal ecosystem management.
The training series is part of the USAID - funded MDC Project, initiated in 2024 and targeting provinces such as Kien Giang and Soc Trang. This project contributes to promoting the development of a green fisheries sector, protecting coastal ecosystems, and supporting Vietnam in achieving its goals under Resolution 36 on sustainable marine economic development.
The sessions not only provided knowledge and skills to participants but also facilitated the adoption of new technologies in marine environmental management and the establishment of sustainable MPAs. According to Mr. Luan, enhancing management capacity is a crucial factor in ensuring the effective implementation of environmental protection plans.
The role of communities and businesses in environmental protection
The conference underscored the importance of socializing environmental protection efforts and encouraging active participation from fishing communities and enterprises involved in aquaculture, fishing, and seafood processing. Delegates emphasized that seafood enterprises’ commitment to adopting eco-friendly technologies, combined with donor support, is essential for building a sustainable fisheries sector.
The 2024 Fisheries Environmental Protection Conference concluded with strong consensus among stakeholders on the critical importance of environmental protection in the sector’s development. Achieving sustainability requires close coordination among all parties, ensuring active participation from fishing communities, enterprises, and support from international organizations.
Director-General Tran Dinh Luan concluded, “Protecting the environment in the fisheries sector is not only a responsibility but also an opportunity to safeguard the image and brand of Vietnamese seafood in the international market. We will continue collaborating with localities and partners to expand green models, promote sustainable development, and ensure a pristine marine environment for future generations.”
Hai Dang