IWMC.org - 2nd Symposium - Issues of Relevance

Relationship between Fisheries and Development in Viet Nam Dr Le Xuan Canh Deputy Director Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources Viet Nam

Other orders have few species but some of them have highly economic value such as (Anguilliformes), (Ophiocephaliformes) and (Synbranchiormes).

Basing on geographic documents, biological basic and comparing our fish species composition with nearby countries and other areas, Viet Nam freshwater fish fauna is divided into two main groups with different origins. The Northern freshwater fish group is related to Red River delta development. The Southern freshwater fish group is related to Mekong delta development. There is still a small group including more than 10 species. This group lives mainly on coastal deltas, originating from India, Malaysia.

Both two groups appeared and developed in tertiary period. In quaternary period, some changes occurred and then there was no more species differentiation. Newly changes in species composition is related mainly to human activities.

Comparing to nearby fish fauna, Viet Nam fish fauna can be listed in East region with 2 subregions and 10 provinces as following:

South China subregion with 5 provinces of Viet Nam: Cao Lang, Viet Bac, Tay Bac, Northern centre part mountain area, Northern delta and Northern centre part.

Indochina subregion with 4 provinces of Viet Nam: Tay Nguyen, lower section of Mekong River, Southern delta, Phu Quoc.

The 10th province is Centre and Southern central part, being transition region between two subregions.

Viet Nam fish fauna income. Viet Nam fish income including freshwater and sea-water fish plays an important role in supplying food as well as export. In fish yield, the freshwater fish rate is approximately 30%. The capacity and exploitation depend on type (freshwater), geographic region and sea region of waters. Natural income of fish is not limitless, especially in some regions the high exploitation makes this resources reduce.

The Vietnamese fishery industry has extended its export markets to 28 countries. Japan remained the largest importer for Vietnamese seafood species. Many seafood products like: shrimp, cuttlefish, octopus, lobster, tuna, cod, etc. have also provided high export value. After Japan, China (Hong Kong) is the second largest consumer market for Vietnamese seafood species. In one month (1997), the country bought $7.7 million of seafood from Viet Nam. For the markets of Europe, North America, Australia and others, the volume of export of seafood from Vietnamese species is still modest. This is because these are demanding markets with strict requirements in term of product quality, industrial hygienic standards, and packaging aesthetics. However some products of Vietnamese seafood species now penetrate into these demanding markets. Furthermore, the prospect of exporting seafood into the EU (European Union) markets will be decided after the final investigation of EU inspection Mission taking place from 1998. The economic and trading relations between Viet Nam and the U.S. have been improving considerably, especially in 1997 when the Vietnamese-American trade agreement was signed.

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