The strategy for blue growth and practical actions

Looking at the development of the fisheries sector over the past few decades, we can identify opportunities for change and growth towards a blue development trajectory. However, for various reasons, both subjective and objective, this has not been achieved as expected.

Among the reasons for this, there may be a degree of dogmatic thinking, as well as factors arising from the context and the times we are in. To improve the situation, it is clear that we need to change our mindset. The approach of management must be grounded in prioritizing ecology and sustainable resources as the foundation for decision-making. We need to consider fishermen as the central actors in this process, and it is essential to develop a national strategy for the fisheries sector that can simultaneously achieve the goals of growth, improving the livelihoods of the people, meeting the demands for environmental preservation, the protection of marine ecosystems, and safeguarding aquatic areas.

Fisheries with the cultural values and behavioral norms of the nation

Similar to many other countries, in Vietnam, fisheries is a traditional industry that has contributed significantly to the cultural heritage of the nation, giving rise to a fishing culture that has been deeply ingrained in the Vietnamese way of life. This cultural aspect of fishing is something that modern industrial fisheries today cannot replicate or embody.

Through the lens of fishing culture, one can trace the historical formation and development of the country and its people. Beyond that, the fishing industry has provided sustenance for the Vietnamese people for thousands of years. It has been through this that our ancestors developed resilience, learned to adapt to natural disasters, combat external threats, and find ways to integrate with the world around them. The wisdom passed down through generations helped shape the nation’s ability to face challenges and achieve progress. The accomplishments and advancements we are witnessing today, as Vietnam becomes more integrated with the global community, have their roots in this long-standing relationship with fishing and the sea.

Furthermore, the cultural value of “agriculture for the land, fishing for the sea” is not just a traditional proverb; it embodies a philosophy that aligns with the core principles of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. This philosophy serves as an important foundation for guiding the current efforts towards green transformation in the fishing industry.

When considering the changes in our fisheries sector over the past decades, the year 1980 stands out as a key milestone, marking the beginning of a long period of growth for the industry. Since then, according to long-term statistical data, both the volume of seafood production and the export value generated by the fisheries sector have consistently increased.

This achievement can partly be attributed to the more favorable policy environment for fishermen and the maritime sector during the period of reform. The expansion of exports was actively encouraged. In the 1980s, the “self-balancing, self-financing” mechanism for seafood exports had a positive impact, creating momentum that allowed the country’s seafood export turnover to reach 550 million USD by 1995 - an impressive figure at the time.

In particular, thanks to advancements in artificial reproduction, synthetic feed, and the rational expansion of intensive aquaculture in the mid-1980s, commercial aquaculture quickly took shape. About 10 years later, the aquaculture industry grew rapidly, producing two major export products: shrimp and catfish. By the year 2000, these two products had gained dominant market share. The export activities and domestic seafood markets became a significant driving force, encouraging businesses and people to enthusiastically expand aquaculture production, sharing, compensating, and ultimately leading to a level of production that surpassed wild-caught seafood, as we see today.

Since 1990, there have been many significant international developments that were beneficial for us to expand production and open up new opportunities for international trade. Diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the EU were established in late November 1990. In July 1995, the two sides signed a "Framework Agreement on Cooperation, establishing basic principles to promote economic and trade relations between the two parties".

From that point, Vietnam’s seafood industry began to expand international cooperation systematically, seizing and leveraging new opportunities, which later allowed Vietnam to actively integrate into the global market. We successfully exported to many markets, including the most demanding ones. At that time, we might not have imagined the current annual seafood export figure of 10 billion USD. However, the steps taken back then gave everyone confidence in the success of Vietnam's seafood industry across global markets.

Since July 1995, Vietnam has been a member of ASEAN. Vietnamese seafood is a member of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and many other regional cooperation organizations in Southeast Asia. At the turn of the 21st century, Vietnam's seafood exports to the world exceeded 1 billion USD, double the figure from five years earlier (1995). More importantly, behind these numbers lies positive changes, promising sustainable growth for many years to come.

In early 1993, recognizing the strong potential of the country’s seafood industry after several years of implementing the renovation policy, the 5th Central Committee Conference of the 7th Party Congress issued a resolution that identified the goal of making seafood a key economic sector of the country. In the same year, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 03-NQ/TW, clearly stating the goal of making our country a strong maritime economy.

These two resolutions were like a lifeline, playing a significant role in providing essential momentum for the growth and development of the seafood industry. Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have inherited not only the results but also the right path laid out by the previous generations. We were supported by the encouragement of the Party and State, as well as the unanimous agreement of the fishermen. This collective effort allowed us to work together in building and executing various projects and action programs, all aimed at turning the seafood industry into a key economic sector. This, in turn, has contributed to realizing the goal of making our country a strong maritime nation.

Specifically in the area of marine exploitation, I would like to add a bit more detail: Over the years, the infrastructure for the fishing industry has been continually expanded and upgraded. Fishing vessels have become more numerous, larger in size, and equipped with stronger engines. At the same time, the technology and tools used in the industry have been significantly improved. These changes have brought about positive impacts.

Along with the increase in catch volumes, there have been encouraging changes in the structure of production between offshore and nearshore fishing, particularly during the years 1999-2004. However, continuing on this path revealed management shortcomings and weaknesses in control, and the negative aspects of the issue began to emerge and became increasingly concerning.

The most worrying issue is the consistent decline over many years in both the production index and the value of production per unit of fishing power, which has become widespread across many fishing sectors. While the number of large fishing vessels has increased, the number of smaller nearshore boats has not decreased; in fact, it has even risen, further intensifying the strain on nearshore resources. This situation clearly signals a problem with sustainability. In response to this, for many years, a new approach to marine fishing has been put forward, advocating for no increase in fishing output. It has been a difficult and challenging task to implement this policy over the years.

As a result, while the seafood industry has made significant strides and pioneered many initiatives, it is also facing serious issues and substantial challenges in keeping up with the global trend of development towards sustainability.

Sustainable development and blue growth in marine fisheries

The year 1980 was a milestone, marking the beginning of continuous growth for Vietnam’s seafood industry. It was also in this same year that the concept of Sustainable Development was first introduced in the publication "World Conservation Strategy" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Starting in 1995, when Vietnam joined the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) among the member countries of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the concept of sustainable development was affirmed in the context of global fisheries. Since then, this principle of sustainability has been incorporated into Vietnam’s fisheries strategies and development plans.

In September 2001, the Reykjavik Conference held in Iceland, titled "Responsible Fisheries in the Marine Ecosystem", was a significant event marking the entry of global fisheries into the 21st century. The goal of the conference was to establish a scientific basis for the full and effective implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries within the global fisheries system. This initiative laid the groundwork for what is now known as Blue Growth. Blue growth is a practical approach, with clear actions aimed at achieving long-term sustainability in the fisheries sector.

Integrating with global fisheries, Vietnam's fisheries sector, along with its own development requirements, is no exception when it comes to fulfilling international commitments regarding Green Growth in that direction. In reality, over the past two decades, I have observed that this has been a significant challenge. One clear example of this challenge is the issue of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which has been a persistent problem. Despite this challenge, it must still be seen as the foundation for establishing a "strong" Vietnamese fisheries sector, as well as for fulfilling Vietnam's international commitments to sustainable development.

In a broader sense, the goal we must aim for is to implement coordinated management that leads to comprehensive growth, which in turn contributes to the three pillars of sustainable development: social, economic and environmental. This growth should also play a key role in eradicating poverty, hunger and malnutrition.

The concept of green growth emerged quite early in Vietnam across various sectors and industries. Specifically, on September 25, 2012, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1393/QĐ-TTg, which approved the National Strategy on Green Growth.

In the case of the seafood sector, the importance of green growth is most clearly highlighted in Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW, issued on October 22, 2018, by the Central Executive Committee of the Party, which sets out the strategy for the sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy by 2030, with a vision extending to 2045. The resolution clearly states the following viewpoint: "The sustainable development of the marine economy should be built on the foundation of green growth and the conservation of biodiversity in marine ecosystems".

At this point, I would like to emphasize an important aspect: The blue growth strategy specifically tailored for our seafood industry is an organic part of the broader green growth strategy that has been approved by the Prime Minister. However, given the unique nature of the fisheries sector, it requires its own specific approach, tailored actions, and the achievement of results that align with the desired objectives. In this regard, Blue Growth is embedded within Green Growth, but it has distinct differences from Green Growth that applies to all sectors.

A green strategy for all

Over the years, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has, to a certain extent, functioned as a multi-sector, multi-disciplinary management body. However, the process of green transition has not yet been integrated across different sectors in a cohesive, interdisciplinary manner. As a result, it is crucial to develop a comprehensive, overarching green strategy for all agricultural activities. This strategy would reduce redundancy, and enhance the overall efficiency of management practices. By establishing a clear, unified goal, it would promotes sustainable development on a nationwide scale.

On one hand, the comprehensive green strategy for the agricultural sector should prioritize the goal of reducing carbon emissions in line with the committed roadmap. However, it is equally important to recognize that agriculture and the food sector are among the largest consumers of energy. As such, it is imperative to carry out a thorough and comprehensive energy audit to identify areas for reducing energy consumption, aiming to minimize emissions and reduce the overall carbon footprint of the sector.

When it comes to food safety, we already have established systems for traceability and various programs ensuring hygiene standards from "farm to table". Similarly, energy consumption throughout the supply chain - from production and processing to distribution and consumption - should also be carefully measured and managed. Based on this data, appropriate policies and practical solutions should be developed to encourage energy savings and the rational use of energy. These measures will be essential in effectively limiting carbon emissions.