Norway helps Vietnam develop green and sustainable aquaculture industry

- How does the Ambassador evaluate the cooperation in aquaculture and fisheries - a key area in more than 50 years of friendship and cooperation between Norway and Vietnam?

Ms. Hilde Solbakken: I can proudly say that Norway and Vietnam have been cooperating very effectively in the field of fisheries, including aquaculture. This is a key area in the diplomatic relations between the two countries. It not only brings economic benefits to both countries but also contributes to deepening the already good relations between the two sides.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, in 2021, the two countries signed a Letter of Intent on enhancing and developing cooperation in the marine aquaculture industry. This is the guideline for future bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

- How does the Ambassador evaluate the achievements in the production and export of Vietnamese seafood in recent times, as well as the strategy for developing the Vietnamese seafood industry in an effective and sustainable direction?

You are on the right track. Vietnam is now the world’s third largest seafood exporter, Norway is second. Fortunately, however, we do not compete with each other but complement each other.

Norway exports species such as salmon, cod, king crab and shrimp from the sea. Vietnam is a major supplier of pangasius and farmed shrimp.

I hope that our bilateral cooperation in the fisheries sector over the past years has contributed significantly to Vietnam's overall economic development achievements. Norwegian mackerel is being processed in Vietnam for other import markets in Asia.

Norway cooperates very closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in priority areas, including sustainable aquaculture.

Applying technology in salmon farming is a top priority in Norway. Photo: Doan Bong

Goals for sustainable and profitable development of the aquaculture industry

- The potential for cooperation between the two countries is huge as Norway is the second largest seafood exporter and Vietnam is in the top 10 largest exporters in the world. What opportunities do the two countries have to exchange experiences and develop together in this field?

The fact that Vietnam is a market for processing Norwegian mackerel products for export to Asian countries is a great proof of the opportunity for mutual development of both countries.

In addition, cooperation between enterprises in the marine aquaculture value chain must be mentioned. For example, one of the large Norwegian companies, Scale AQ, has a factory located in Nha Trang, producing and supplying advanced equipment/facilities for marine aquaculture. Scale AQ's equipment is supplied to the largest marine farms in Vietnam as well as internationally.

Information sharing is also an important area. Norwegian companies operating in Vietnam bring not only technology but also knowledge, experience and sustainability-focused solutions.

Norway has been cooperating with Vietnam in the field of information sharing and policy development for a long time. We supported Vietnam in developing the first Fisheries Law, and then the revised Law.

Most recently, a Vietnamese delegation went to Norway to attend AquaNor 2023 - the world's largest aquaculture technology exhibition held every two years. The delegation included leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, VCCI as well as leaders of the People's Committees of Khanh Hoa and Kien Giang provinces and many other Vietnamese companies.

This is an ideal opportunity for the delegation to learn about sustainable technologies and practices applied throughout the entire aquaculture supply chain in Norway. I am sure that the delegation will not only gain useful information but also learn many new partners who can support the development of a green and sustainable aquaculture industry in Vietnam.

Vocational training in aquaculture is another aspect of cooperation that I would like to highlight. This activity is carried out on the basis of cooperation programs between VCCI and NHO (Norwegian Business Association). This is important because qualified and skilled human resources are a prerequisite for the success of aquaculture and other links in this value chain.

Only then can Vietnam achieve the goal of sustainable and profitable development of its fisheries industry.

Comprehensive approach, caring about the ecosystem, towards sustainability

- Norway is the second largest seafood exporter in the world. Responsible and sustainable resource management is at the core of the seafood industry. What are some specific aspects of Norway's holistic, ecologically-minded and sustainable approach, Ambassador?

Since the early days of the salmon industry, we have learned a lot, from farming environments, to stock health, technical solutions and how to regulate a rapidly growing industry.

'We are always ready to share our knowledge and experience in marine resource management with other countries,' said Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken. Photo: Duc Yen

A key factor in ensuring sustainability in aquaculture is close cooperation between the government, industry and the scientific community. The environment around the farm, the health of the fish and the quality of the final product are constantly monitored.

The information gained from this monitoring and tracking practice will be a necessary input for the industry to adjust farming practices, and for the government to develop or adjust appropriate regulations. It also helps identify areas where we need to continue to research and improve to find better solutions.

For example, let me talk about fish vaccination. The use of salmon vaccination in Norway has contributed to the complete elimination of the use of antibiotics in the farming process, which was once a major challenge. The development of vaccine technology is still ongoing and improving.

In addition, the development of a series of supporting industries is also a story worth telling. Every step is related to each other, from the production of equipment and ships, to the production of animal feed, transportation and preservation solutions, vaccines... These industries have contributed to creating more jobs for people in rural and coastal areas of Norway.

- With its ecosystem-friendly approach to fisheries management, Norway has been a leader in sustainability for decades. Do you think Norway has inspired other countries to implement fisheries protection laws and policies?

Hopefully Norway can be an inspiration for other countries. We are completely dependent on the sea as 70% of our export earnings come from marine industries.

It is therefore of utmost importance to us that marine resources are managed well and sustainably. The oceans are highly interconnected, so we are always ready to share our knowledge and experience in marine resource management with other countries through development assistance, research support and information sharing. We all rely on sustainable oceans and effective marine resource management.

For decades, Norway has supported marine management and research activities in the form of research vessels that travel to many countries around the world to share information and experience. Today, we continue to share knowledge on marine spatial planning development or efforts to reduce plastic waste at sea. These are two of Norway’s many global priority areas of support.

We are pleased to note the close and fruitful cooperation between Norway and Vietnam in these areas. The initial support for Vietnam in developing its marine spatial planning was mainly driven by the need to develop the offshore wind industry.

However, a good marine spatial planning can support the harmonious development of many marine economic sectors as well as increase the scale of those sectors sustainably in the future, including aquaculture.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/na-uy-giup-viet-nam-phat-trien-nganh-nuoi-trong-thuy-san-xanh-va-ben-vung-2194871.html