Managing waste: A challenge to protect environment in fishery sector

The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) collaborated with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to organize a conference aimed at evaluating the challenges in implementing environmental protection in fishery sector and discussing directions for implementation in 2025. This activity is part of the "Mekong Delta Coastal Habitat Conservation" (MDC), funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through IUCN.

Decision 911/QD-TTg, focusing on environmental protection in fishery activities for the 2021-2030 period, was approved by the Prime Minister on July 29, 2022. After two years of implementation, this conference serves as an opportunity for stakeholders to share unresolved difficulties, listen to initiatives from international organizations, and focus on solutions to address obstacles in achieving sustainable development in the fisheries sector.

As the focal agency of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) for implementing Decision 911/QD-TTg, Mr. Tran Dinh Luan, Director General of the Directorate of Fisheries, acknowledged the collective efforts of all stakeholders. Specifically, the project has been widely disseminated across government management agencies, businesses, and the community, with close coordination between international organizations and relevant authorities.

Mr. Tran Dinh Luan further noted: "Within the framework of the project, several initiatives for waste collection and treatment have yielded positive results, as seen at the fishing ports in Binh Dinh and Phu Yen. However, challenges remain in identifying the sources of waste and raising community awareness about waste collection at the source and waste treatment. A portion of the population still lacks a clear understanding of the importance of protecting their surrounding environment, particularly in riverine and coastal areas."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung, Head of the Department of Science, Technology, and International Cooperation at the Department of Fisheries, highlighted that some localities have achieved positive results in developing and issuing environmental management plans, implementing waste control measures for fisheries activities, and conducting annual environmental monitoring as a regular task. These localities have proactively developed and executed environmental management plans, as well as embraced projects to implement sustainable models.

However, challenges remain, including limited funding for environmental initiatives, inconsistent integration of environmental protection activities into other programs, a shortage of environmental management personnel, and delays in project approvals.

By 2025, the focus will shift toward enhancing waste control and pollution prevention in coastal areas and high-biodiversity regions. Modern technologies will be applied to waste treatment and resource efficiency improvement, moving toward a circular economy, green economy, and reducing emissions and waste.

In addition, efforts are underway to investigate and rehabilitate polluted aquaculture areas while enforcing international regulations on preventing ship-generated pollution. Emphasis is also placed on improving environmental incident warning systems and conserving aquatic resources to prevent biodiversity loss. Coastal communities are being empowered through awareness and capacity-building initiatives, particularly in managing ocean plastic waste.

Regarding international cooperation, Mr. Andrew Wyattchia (IUCN) shared that the MDC project aims to protect coastal ecosystems, restore mangrove forests, safeguard aquaculture environments, and ensure the livelihoods of fishermen. It also seeks to strengthen marine conservation management at the Phu Quoc Marine Protected Area and support the sustainable use of fishery resources in Nam Du, Ba Lua, and Hai Tac.

Additionally, the project promotes nature-based solutions (NbS) for waste management in shrimp farming, reduces ocean plastic pollution to protect marine biodiversity and ecosystems, and fosters community-driven initiatives to support fishermen's livelihoods in adapting to climate change through the sustainable exploitation and use of aquatic resources. It also aids in implementing activities to protect the environment and biodiversity in fisheries during the 2021-2030 period.

In terms of local environmental protection efforts in fisheries, Ms. Quach Thi Thanh Binh, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Soc Trang province, noted that the province's fishery sector has seen comprehensive development in aquaculture, exploitation, and export processing, accounting for about 25% of the nation’s total fishery export turnover.

Soc Trang has implemented various environmental protection measures, including Directive 1354 to regulate aquaculture and the developing brackish water shrimp culture, period 2023-2025. These efforts focus on investing in advanced farming models to improve the quality and yield of aquaculture products while expanding international export markets. The province has recommended that the Department of Fisheries continue collaborating with international organizations to support projects, develop plans for 2025-2030, and strengthen management through mandatory registration requirements for aquaculture facilities.