Conservation of marine ecosystems and sustainable use of aquatic resources

Cooperation in marine ecosystem conservation and sustainable use of aquatic resources in the current context is extremely urgent.

On the morning of November 27 in Hanoi, the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance ( Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ) in collaboration with WWF Vietnam organized the Workshop "Promoting biodiversity protection in the fisheries sector according to the Kunming - Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) approach in Vietnam". The event was attended by Ms. Le Thu Huong, representative of the French Development Agency AFD - Sponsor of the Project "Promoting sustainable forest management and biodiversity in Vietnam" (BIODEV2030), along with representatives of the Departments of Agriculture and Environment, enterprises, research institutes, international organizations and professional associations.

The workshop “Promoting biodiversity protection in the fisheries sector according to the Kunming - Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) approach in Vietnam” was held on the morning of November 27. Photo: Hong Ngoc.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung, Head of the Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation, Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Control, emphasized the importance of the Kunming - Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted at COP15 in December 2022, considering it not only an international commitment but also a global orientation on nature conservation, ecosystem restoration and sustainable use of resources until 2030 and vision 2050.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung, Head of the Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation, Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Control, delivered the opening speech at the workshop. Photo: Hong Ngoc.

Ms. Dung said that the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance has coordinated with WWF Vietnam within the framework of the Project "Promoting Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity in Vietnam" (BIODEV2030), together with IUCN, to develop a Draft Action Plan of the Vietnamese Fisheries Sector to implement the GBF Framework to 2030. The draft sets out clear objectives, comprehensive orientations and many key solutions to protect marine ecosystems, strengthen resource management, promote sustainable aquaculture and exploitation, strengthen the role of the community and mobilize resources to effectively implement the GBF Framework.

According to Ms. Dung, this is a forum to transparently share the orientation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment; introduce the draft action plan; create a space for dialogue between the central - local - enterprises - international organizations; listen to experiences from practical models; and at the same time receive comments to complete the draft before submitting it to the Ministry for consideration. She expressed her deep gratitude to the agencies in the Ministry, the Departments of Agriculture and Environment, international organizations and academia for their support, and at the same time expressed gratitude for the support of the BIODEV2030 project and WWF Vietnam in the process of developing the action plan.

Mr. Hoang Viet, Chief Representative of WWF Vietnam, said that harmonizing and effectively implementing global biodiversity goals is an important question today. He affirmed that WWF is ready to accompany the forestry and fisheries sectors, from policy dialogue, communication to raising awareness to building pilot models. “This is an opportunity for us to listen openly and propose solutions together. WWF is committed to continuing to accompany and mobilize support resources, turning commitments into concrete actions,” he emphasized.

Mr. Hoang Viet, Chief Representative of WWF Vietnam, spoke at the workshop. Photo: Hong Ngoc.

From a business perspective, Mr. Lam Thai Xuyen, Director of the Minh Phu Forest Shrimp Chain Social Enterprise (under Minh Phu Seafood Corporation) said that the biggest challenge in sustainable shrimp farming today is that the rate of certified farming areas is still very low, only about 10%, while shrimp purchased from the community mostly does not meet international standards. Therefore, since 2013, Minh Phu has coordinated with local authorities to build selva shrimp farming areas and after four years, established Minh Phu Certified Shrimp Company to professionalize the model.

Mr. Lam Thai Xuyen, Director of Minh Phu Forest Shrimp Chain Social Enterprise (under Minh Phu Seafood Corporation), shares the biggest challenge in sustainable shrimp farming. Photo: Hong Ngoc.

Mr. Xuyen believes that the success of the ecological shrimp value chain depends on multi-stakeholder cooperation according to the 4P model (State - enterprise - community - partner), in which there is close accompaniment of development organizations such as WWF. He also cited the example of goby fish to illustrate the need to understand the ecological conditions correctly: goby fish can only live in deep soil suitable for industrial farming; while in extensive farming areas, this species lacks shelter and food sources, showing that farming techniques must be associated with the natural characteristics of each species.

Delegates at the workshop were also interested in the role of the forest system in protecting aquatic biodiversity. Mr. Vu Thanh Nam, Head of the Forest Use and Forest Products Trade Department, Department of Forestry and Forest Protection, said that Vietnam currently has 176 special-use forests, but many of them are scattered and fragmented; while more than 200,000 hectares of mangrove forests are playing a key role in stabilizing the forest-marine ecosystem. The forest environmental service payment mechanism not only enhances the community's responsibility in monitoring and protecting the forest ecosystem but also contributes to creating motivation for environmentally friendly production models, including aquaculture under the forest canopy. According to him, effective management of about 60% of the forest area will contribute to improving people's livelihoods, while protecting resources and biodiversity in the long term.

The workshop recorded many practical contributions to complete the Action Plan to implement the GBF Framework for the fisheries sector, demonstrating the determination of the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance in concretizing international commitments, promoting the protection of marine ecosystems, developing the blue ocean economy and enhancing sustainable resource management by 2030.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/bao-ton-he-sinh-thai-bien-va-su-dung-ben-vung-nguon-loi-thuy-san-d786765.html