Vietnam’s pangasius sector will achieve its target to certify ten per cent of the country’s pangasius production under the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) standard by the end of 2012.
Vietnam’s pangasius sector will achieve its target to certify ten per cent of the country’s pangasius production under the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) standard by the end of 2012. This achievement was recognized during an event in Ho Chi Minh City today to share progress across the sector and commend certified Vietnamese pangasius producers.
In 2010, WWF, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) and the Vietnam Fisheries Society (VINAFIS) signed a Cooperation Agreement to support efforts to improve environmental and social responsibility in the pangasius industry in order to achieve ASC certification. Parties to the Cooperation Agreement committed to supporting pangasius producers to achieve 100 per cent of farmed pangasius production for export under one of several certification schemes by 2015, with 50 per cent of this under the ASC by 2015, and 10 per cent by 2012.
About 30 of Vietnam’s biggest pangasius producers are supported by the parties to the Cooperation Agreement; WWF, VASEP, VINAFIS – and in close cooperation with the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV), Anova and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) – in their efforts to achieve ASC certification.
Event applauds producers achieving ASC certification
The event – organized by the Vietnam Directorate of Fishery (D-Fish), VASEP, VINAFIS and WWF, in close cooperation with IDH and SNV – brought together responsible pangasius producers and international buyers to applaud producers achieving ASC certification and to sign purchase agreements.
“These pioneering companies are setting an example for the wider industry. If the market responds appropriately, a major shift of the industry to responsible farming methods will be triggered,” said Dr. Nguyen Huu Dzung, VASEP Vice President. “Adopting responsible practices will also increase the future sustainability of the industry in Vietnam, protecting income and employment for the long term.”
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