(Photo: VGP)

At the workshop, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien insisted that exploitation and conservation are inseparable to achieve sustainable development. The fisheries industry is facing a number of difficulties. Resources are shrinking in inland waters and aquatic ecosystems, he said, adding that the 2017 Fisheries Law has facilitated the fisheries sector’s development and intensive, sustainable international integration.

Mr. Tien said, “We should bear in mind that exploitation and conservation are a couple. We will deliberately study the situation of each locality, such as what their pending problems are, to devise the master plan, which is the legal base for us to protect and exploit seafood resources.”   

Participants were consented to the significance of the master plan in the current context. They suggested informing and encouraging fishermen to follow fisheries law, protect the resources, and prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.