Minister Le Minh Hoan: the circle of fisheries as seen in Quang Ninh

"Build a ship to appreciate the ocean"

At the Sustainable Aquaculture Development Conference - Insights from Quang Ninh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to immerse in the beauty of the ocean, remarking on the fortunate experiences of his day-long visit to Quang Ninh on March 31.

"Yesterday, once again, I had the chance to 'touch' Quang Ninh, 'touch' Co To, Van Don, 'touch' the ocean, and 'touch' the determined business community involved in sustainable mariculture. These emotions reinforce my confidence in a community full of self-assurance and determination. We can realize Vietnam's dream of becoming a strong and prosperous maritime nation if we can establish a sustainable mariculture ecosystem," Minister Le Minh Hoan stated.

According to the Minister, "There is nothing we cannot accomplish. In just two years, Quang Ninh has removed and replaced over 10 million foam buoys, thereby cleaning up the ocean; more than 100 service cooperatives for mariculture have been established in the province. These are significant achievements. It shows that when we understand what we need to do, as well as our goals and missions, we will find ways to realize those dreams.

Mariculture is nurturing the value of the sea, both tangible and intangible. The concept of "marine culture" has been defined under Resolution No. 36. It is a different perspective to estimate the tangible value in terms of export turnover and tonnage. Businesses and communities in Quang Ninh should understand that we nurture the sea to address the pain it suffers daily as resources deplete, environmental pollution worsens, the pain of fishermen who understand that although they must exploit the sea with explosives, illegal nets, they must sail out to sea every day.

We must register that mariculture is part of the overall framework for the three pillars of the maritime economy: reducing exploitation, increasing aquaculture, and creating a balance in the maritime economy. When we have a goal, we can overcome these difficulties.

Challenges can only be overcome when we take action. I propose that we must determine the goal of mariculture. It is the growth of different coastal regions. Mariculture nurtures the ocean, and in turn, nurtures the community. Our goal is far-reaching, comprehensive, our current responsibility is to enrich the ocean, so it will enrich us.

Referring to the circular logo of the Conference, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development analyzed: "This is the symbol of the united fisheries circle; a shared circle of fisheries will grow with each passing day; reinforced by the people and the government. If we overlook the role of the people, the role of the community, we will fail.

Minister Le Minh Hoan emphasized: "Reducing exploitation and increasing aquaculture, we must pursue these goals to the end. Sustainable development is not as complicated as we think. Instead, we should view it as: if we fail to develop sustainably, our future generations will suffer. Sustainable mariculture is nurturing the future.

Don't teach people how to cut down trees in a forest. Instead, show them how beautiful the ocean is so they can use that wood to build ships. As Hemingway once wrote in "The Old Man and the Sea": "But man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated." The solitary and difficult journey of the old man brings us many meaningful lessons about life, the power of human beings to overcome all obstacles, to stand equal and master nature. Each of us has experienced failure at least once in our life. However, as long as we do not lose heart in the face of failure, and instead remain determined, optimistic and hopeful in the most difficult times, then surely opportunities will come to each of us."

Why "Insights from Quang Ninh"?

Impressed with the achievements that Quang Ninh achieved within the last two years following the policty to replace over 10 million foam buoys with environmentally friendly HDPE plastic buoys; establish over 100 mariculture service cooperatives, Minister Le Minh Hoan affirmed: "The Sustainable Aquaculture Development Conference - Insights from Quang Ninh" will position the province as a pioneer, the "focus" of the fisheries circle. Subsequently, Quang Ninh can develop and expand to house other united circles.

Dolphins are common sight in the waters of Quang Ninh, which is a positive signal. How was 10 million foam buoys replaced and removed? In the eyes of foreign visitors, the marine areas of Quang Ninh is growing cleaner and more beautiful. The determination and dynamism of leadership, specialized agencies; the active participation of the business community; the cooperative spirit of the local residents demonstrate that Quang Ninh's infrastructure is ready to develop mariculture, including physical infrastructure, social infrastructure, and human infrastructure. Moreover, an ecosystem for mariculture has been established.

Quang Ninh has a unique model of high-tech mariculture combined with experiential tourism. The province has chosen the fisheries sector to be the pillar of its economy in the near future."

What comes next after the conference?

The conference is an opportunity for management agencies, mariculture entities, and the community to gather, discuss existing issues and obstacles to devise plans and solutions. It is important to establish a strategy for the future following this conference.

Minister Le Minh Hoan pledged that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will acknowledge and compile the reported challenges to collaborate with other ministries and sectors in proposing solutions to the Government; warn farmers against mariculture until the issues are resolved. Standards and regulations for mariculture cages will be developed to address spontaneous mariculture activities.

Cooperate with relevant ministries and sectors to promote seaweed farming, and other potential industries; strengthen research and cooperation efforts in scientific and technological research to develop high-tech aquaculture and deep processing models; develop seafood products into cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Quang Ninh will become a hub of innovation in the mariculture industry, with research centers for seeds and strategies. Fisheries will become the spearhead economic sector of Quang Ninh province, as determined by central policies designating Quang Ninh as the center for fisheries in Nothern Vietnam. This goal will become a reality when the province demonstrates the determination from leaders and specialized departments, the dynamic engagement of the business community, and the cooperative spirit of the community.

The ecosystem of the mariculture industry requires close connections among central and local management agencies, business communities, research institutes, educational institutions, international partners, professional organizations of mariculture farmers, and farmers with livelihoods dependant on mariculture.

Sustainable and systematic mariculture will help resolve conflicts between the mariculture industry and coastal tourism development, thereby preventing the development of mariculture from obstructing the development of tourism.

"When we are focused on one goal, we tend to overlook other aspects. Insights from Quang Ninh province will provide us with a look into the future of the aquaculture industry, and the current state of mariculture. Consequently, we need to understand that we must adopt trending global practices. We must have bigger dreams, and even bigger ambitions," Minister Le Minh Hoan concluded.