Strictly inspect and control the import of crayfish.

The crayfish is an invasive alien species.

Currently, in many localities, crayfish ( scientific name Procambarus clarkii) are openly sold in markets or on social media for about 400,000 VND/kg. Notably, most of these crayfish are smuggled in and sold by people unaware of the harm they cause. Specifically, this species is omnivorous, prefers to dig deep burrows, and can damage crops; it also damages dike systems, erodes rivers and streams, and kills native shrimp and fish species. More dangerously, this animal is a carrier and spreader of many dangerous diseases, such as white spot disease, fungal infections in shrimp, and some diseases affecting mammals.

Previously, some provinces such as Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, and Ha Nam imported this species of crayfish for experimental farming. However, due to the dangerous effects of crayfish, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has listed it as an invasive species prohibited from import and breeding; if discovered, it must be destroyed immediately, and any acts of buying, selling, or spreading this species into the environment will be severely punished.

According to Appendix IV issued with Government Decree No. 37/2024/ND-CP dated April 4, 2024, amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 26/2019/ND-CP dated March 8, 2019, detailing a number of articles on measures for implementing the Fisheries Law, the crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) is not listed in the list of aquatic species permitted for business in Vietnam. Furthermore, Circular No. 35/2018/TT-BTNMT dated December 28, 2018, of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, stipulating criteria for identifying and issuing the List of Invasive Alien Species, includes Procambarus clarkii in the list of alien species with the potential to become invasive...

Due to the significant harm caused by this species, many countries have regulations prohibiting the farming and breeding of crayfish. Some countries allow farming, usually for economic purposes and in harsh natural conditions, but this comes with strict management and control regulations.

It's not just the crayfish; we've paid the price in the past for raising other harmful invasive species, such as the golden apple snail, red-eared turtle, and red swamp crayfish. These animals share common characteristics: they are omnivorous, reproduce quickly, adapt to various environments, and destroy crops, spreading dangerous diseases to plants and livestock. However, this crayfish is even more dangerous than the aforementioned invasive species because of its extremely fast crawling speed, wide dispersal, difficulty in eradicating it, and its ability to destroy crops far more effectively than the golden apple snail.

Therefore, the issuance of the aforementioned document by the General Department of Customs is considered a practical solution, demonstrating the strict enforcement of regulations on the import and trade of aquatic products; thereby contributing to the protection of native biodiversity and public health, and avoiding negative impacts on our country's agricultural production. However, for these solutions to be truly effective, each citizen needs to raise their awareness and knowledge and proactively say no to smuggled crayfish; promptly detect and report violations of illegal trading, storage, and transportation of crayfish to the authorities; and strengthen the campaign to educate and raise awareness in each residential area, especially in border areas, about the harmful effects of this species.

Furthermore, not only the customs sector but also all departments, organizations, and associations from the central to local levels, as well as every citizen, need to strongly participate and work together to prevent violations related to crayfish.

According to Nhan Dan Newspaper

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