National Efforts to Promote the Responsibility and the Rights of Small-scale Fisheries and Fishing Communities in the Inland and Marine Sector in Viet.

National Efforts to Promote theNational Efforts to Promote the Responsibility Responsibility and the Rights of Small-scale Fisheries and the Rights of Small-scale Fisheries and Fishing Communities in the Inland and Fishing Communities in the Inland and Marine Sector and Marine Sector in Viet Namin Viet Nam

By Nguyen Chu Hoi, Le Tran Nguyen HungBy Nguyen Chu Hoi, Le Tran Nguyen Hungand Dao Manh Sonand Dao Manh Son

Ministry of Fisheries Ministry of Fisheries

BackgroundBackground Viet Nam has the advantages of physical Viet Nam has the advantages of physical conditions, of natural and human resources to conditions, of natural and human resources to develop a strong fisheries develop a strong fisheries In fact fisheries economics plays very In fact fisheries economics plays very important role in the national economy and important role in the national economy and social life social life The fisheries sector of the country is The fisheries sector of the country is developed in the inland and seas, but centrally developed in the inland and seas, but centrally in coastal areas.in coastal areas. In the context of developing and poor In the context of developing and poor country, the fisheries sector contributes to country, the fisheries sector contributes to securing the food safety and improving securing the food safety and improving livelihoods for people in rural, coastal, livelihoods for people in rural, coastal, mountainous and island areas. mountainous and island areas. However, fishing communities operating over However, fishing communities operating over the wide seas often suffer from natural the wide seas often suffer from natural disasters and risks.disasters and risks.

Background…(2)Background…(2)

In last 10 years, fisheries sector in Viet Nam has grown In last 10 years, fisheries sector in Viet Nam has grown rapidly, continuously and stably in both production rapidly, continuously and stably in both production volume (average 5-7%/ year) and export value. volume (average 5-7%/ year) and export value.

Viet Nam is still standing stably in the list of top ten Viet Nam is still standing stably in the list of top ten fisheries exportfisheries export

countries in the world and will continue to hold this countries in the world and will continue to hold this position in the future.position in the future.

Vietnamese Government has remarkable efforts in Vietnamese Government has remarkable efforts in promoting responsible small-scale fisheries and the promoting responsible small-scale fisheries and the rights of small-scale fishing communities to: rights of small-scale fishing communities to:

- maintain the healthy of aquatic ecosystems and - maintain the healthy of aquatic ecosystems and environments, as well as protect fisheries resources and environments, as well as protect fisheries resources and biodiversity;biodiversity;

- prevent overfishing, reduce fishing capacity and - prevent overfishing, reduce fishing capacity and conform to the 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for conform to the 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheires which commited by Vietnamese Responsible Fisheires which commited by Vietnamese Government;Government;

- Ensure balancing between captured activities and - Ensure balancing between captured activities and fisheries resources base to improve fisher livelihoods, fisheries resources base to improve fisher livelihoods, increase fisheries effectiveness and sustainability.increase fisheries effectiveness and sustainability.

Status of the small-scale fisheries Viet Nam was in range of top 20 countries in Viet Nam was in range of top 20 countries in

term of production from marine and term of production from marine and freshwater capture fisheries, as well as of top freshwater capture fisheries, as well as of top 10 fisheries export countries in the world. 10 fisheries export countries in the world.

However, the country’s fisheries is still However, the country’s fisheries is still considered as a small-scale fisheries with considered as a small-scale fisheries with traditionally mode of artisanal production traditionally mode of artisanal production and technologically backward capture.and technologically backward capture.

About 3.7 million About 3.7 million tons in 2006, among tons in 2006, among about 1.8 million about 1.8 million tons captured from tons captured from the sea and the the sea and the fisheries export fisheries export turnover has turnover has reached the reached the benchmark 3.0 USD benchmark 3.0 USD billionsbillions

In the period of 2001-2006, the capture In the period of 2001-2006, the capture fisheries has contributed a significant fisheries has contributed a significant part in total fisheries productionpart in total fisheries production

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

1,0

00 t

on

s

Total f isheriesproductionCaptureproduction

There are an decreasing of landing catch in There are an decreasing of landing catch in inland and an increasing in marine sector inland and an increasing in marine sector

from year 1991 to 2006 from year 1991 to 2006 Volume of landing catch (marine and inland)

0.00

500.00

1,000.00

1,500.00

2,000.00

2,500.00

1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006

Marine

Inland

Total

Landing catch

...Small-scale Fisheries The number of The number of

mechanised marine mechanised marine fishing boats and vessels fishing boats and vessels have increased rapidly have increased rapidly from year 1991 (44,000) from year 1991 (44,000) to 91,000 in 2005. The to 91,000 in 2005. The capacity has also gone up capacity has also gone up from 824,000 Hp to from 824,000 Hp to 5,317,000 Hp respectively. 5,317,000 Hp respectively.

This led to an increase in This led to an increase in marine capture marine capture production, from 730,420 production, from 730,420 tons (an average of 0.89 tons (an average of 0.89 ton/Hp) in 1991 to ton/Hp) in 1991 to 1,809,700 tons (an 1,809,700 tons (an average of 0.34 ton/Hp) in average of 0.34 ton/Hp) in 2005. 2005.

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

Year

Gro

ss o

utpu

t ('00

0 to

ns)

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

CPUE

Gross outputMarine captureAquacultureCatch P er Unit of Effort (CP UE) - tons/HP /year

Source: Ministry of Fisheries, 2002

…Small-scale Fisheries

Regarding the structure of fishing fleets, the Regarding the structure of fishing fleets, the quantity of fishing boats <45 HP takes 72% of quantity of fishing boats <45 HP takes 72% of the total mechanized fishing boats of the the total mechanized fishing boats of the country. Most of fishing boats are small-sized country. Most of fishing boats are small-sized and able to operate in the coastal areas. and able to operate in the coastal areas.

Recently, the number of Recently, the number of

fishing boats/vessels has fishing boats/vessels has

had a considerable change.had a considerable change. There are 3 strongest fisheriesThere are 3 strongest fisheries

gears: trawl fishery taking 29%, gears: trawl fishery taking 29%,

gillnet fishery 20% and longline gillnet fishery 20% and longline

17% of the total fishing boats.17% of the total fishing boats.

Fishing Communities in Viet NamFishing Communities in Viet Nam Viet Nam has 28 coastal provinces and cities, Viet Nam has 28 coastal provinces and cities,

including 120 coastal districts and towns. Of which, including 120 coastal districts and towns. Of which, there are only 115 coastal districts and towns, equal there are only 115 coastal districts and towns, equal to 628 communes have fisher communities with to 628 communes have fisher communities with fishing job in their provincial sea areas. fishing job in their provincial sea areas.

The fisher communities located differently along the The fisher communities located differently along the coast: about 10% of the total fishers living in towns, coast: about 10% of the total fishers living in towns, 45% in coastal sandy areas and 55% in river and 45% in coastal sandy areas and 55% in river and channel estuaries areas. channel estuaries areas.

The total number of capture households is 150,000. The total number of capture households is 150,000. Each commune has 240 households (8 Each commune has 240 households (8 members/household) and an average of 840 full-time members/household) and an average of 840 full-time fishers.fishers.

Fishing Communities…Fishing Communities… The number of full-time fishers in those The number of full-time fishers in those

districts is 530,000, accounts for 93% of the districts is 530,000, accounts for 93% of the total full-time fishers of the whole country. total full-time fishers of the whole country. The part-time fisher accounts for 70% of the The part-time fisher accounts for 70% of the total population in those districts. total population in those districts.

Besides capture, they are also earning living Besides capture, they are also earning living from salt production, marine aquaculture and from salt production, marine aquaculture and agriculture. agriculture.

Many traditional fishing villages have been Many traditional fishing villages have been formed in coastal areas with unique formed in coastal areas with unique traditional culture and fishing ways. The traditional culture and fishing ways. The income and living standards of local fishers income and living standards of local fishers have been improved significantly, and the have been improved significantly, and the poverty rate has been reduced.poverty rate has been reduced.

Challenges for Small-scale Challenges for Small-scale Fisheries and Fishing Community Fisheries and Fishing Community

ConcernsConcerns The legal framework and policies in The legal framework and policies in

managing capture activities, as well as local managing capture activities, as well as local fisher communities have been promulgated fisher communities have been promulgated continuously in the last few years, however, continuously in the last few years, however, the enforcement of those policies in reality the enforcement of those policies in reality is less effective. The human resources for is less effective. The human resources for policies implementation monitoring in policies implementation monitoring in capture and aquatic resource protection is capture and aquatic resource protection is limited in quantity and quality. Many cases limited in quantity and quality. Many cases that breaking the rules and policies have that breaking the rules and policies have not been prevented and punished on time.not been prevented and punished on time.

Challenges for…Challenges for… The capture production organization and The capture production organization and

management are uneffective due to lack of input-management are uneffective due to lack of input-output control, unclarification of right-benefit output control, unclarification of right-benefit relation of local fisher communities, lack of relation of local fisher communities, lack of community-based co-management for small-scale community-based co-management for small-scale fisheries and lack of local communities involvement fisheries and lack of local communities involvement in capture fisheries management and aquatic living in capture fisheries management and aquatic living resource protection. Except from this, the survice resource protection. Except from this, the survice activities of postharvesting, processing and storage activities of postharvesting, processing and storage are small and artisanal; increased high price of are small and artisanal; increased high price of vessel fuels. vessel fuels.

The capture fisheries sector in The capture fisheries sector in Viet Nam is mainly small-scale Viet Nam is mainly small-scale with over 80% of vessels and with over 80% of vessels and boats less 45 HP operating in boats less 45 HP operating in the nearshore areas and cause the nearshore areas and cause high-pressure for marine living high-pressure for marine living resources. resources.

The size of captured species is The size of captured species is getting smaller, especially with getting smaller, especially with the high economicaly value the high economicaly value species. species.

The coastal marine The coastal marine ecosystems/habitats/environmenecosystems/habitats/environment and nearshore living t and nearshore living resources are over-exploited and resources are over-exploited and degraded.degraded.

Challenges for…Challenges for…(2)(2) The destructive gears and capture types have been The destructive gears and capture types have been

broadly used and unable to prevent. Almost all broadly used and unable to prevent. Almost all fishing nets do not conform to the rules of net fishing nets do not conform to the rules of net mesh-size. Therefore, the rate of by-catch species mesh-size. Therefore, the rate of by-catch species and small-size fish is high. For example, the by-and small-size fish is high. For example, the by-catch volume in shrimp nets accounts for 60-80% catch volume in shrimp nets accounts for 60-80% of the total captured shrimp production, in fish of the total captured shrimp production, in fish trawling is 40-80%, in bottom trawling nets is 90% trawling is 40-80%, in bottom trawling nets is 90% and 90-93% with push netsand 90-93% with push nets

Lack of marine capture zoningLack of marine capture zoning according to vessel/boat according to vessel/boat different sizes, sometimes different sizes, sometimes vessels over 200-450 HP are vessels over 200-450 HP are still operated in nearshore with still operated in nearshore with 15-25m in depth which caused 15-25m in depth which caused negative impacts to the nearshorenegative impacts to the nearshore living resources.living resources.

Challenges for…Challenges for… The labour quality in capture fisheries is low. Almost all The labour quality in capture fisheries is low. Almost all

fishers doing capture based on experience or inherit fishers doing capture based on experience or inherit technical knowledge from their previous generations. technical knowledge from their previous generations. About 90% fishers are poor, who cannot invest for their About 90% fishers are poor, who cannot invest for their own vessels/boats and have to sell labours for vessel own vessels/boats and have to sell labours for vessel owners. owners.

Although the marine capture is hard and risky for both Although the marine capture is hard and risky for both vessel and human, many fishers do not secure their job by vessel and human, many fishers do not secure their job by insurance. Therefore, once accidents and natural insurance. Therefore, once accidents and natural disasters have created various social issues for the fishing disasters have created various social issues for the fishing communities and their family.communities and their family.

Among some 20 million Among some 20 million inhabitants in 115 coastal inhabitants in 115 coastal communes depending upon communes depending upon the coastal and marine the coastal and marine resources, there still are resources, there still are about 14% of poorest (equal about 14% of poorest (equal 208 communes) and untill 208 communes) and untill year 2004 there exist 157 year 2004 there exist 157 specially poor island and specially poor island and coastal communes.coastal communes.

Promoting Responsible Small-scale Promoting Responsible Small-scale Fisheries and the Rights of Fishing Fisheries and the Rights of Fishing

CommunitiesCommunities Improving the legal framework of capture Improving the legal framework of capture

fisheries management. Enacted the Law of fisheries management. Enacted the Law of Fisheries in 26th Nov. 2003 in which the Fisheries in 26th Nov. 2003 in which the solutions to promote responsible fisheries and to solutions to promote responsible fisheries and to decentralize fisheries management for local decentralize fisheries management for local communities introducted. To implement the Law communities introducted. To implement the Law of Fisheries, the Government and MoFi have of Fisheries, the Government and MoFi have promulgated many under-law documents, promulgated many under-law documents, policies, national policies, national

program...program... The master plan for fisheries The master plan for fisheries sector development towards sector development towards year 2010 and vision 2020 hasyear 2010 and vision 2020 has been approved by the Prime been approved by the Prime MinisterMinister

Promoting Responsible Small-scale Promoting Responsible Small-scale Fisheries…Fisheries…

National program on aquatic resources protection and National program on aquatic resources protection and development was issued and have been implementing from development was issued and have been implementing from 2005 by projects such communities-based management, 2005 by projects such communities-based management,

Decree No 123-2006/ND-CP on management of fishing Decree No 123-2006/ND-CP on management of fishing activities at seas in relevant to illegal, unreported and activities at seas in relevant to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The decree focuses on the coastal unregulated fishing. The decree focuses on the coastal marine waters zoning and allocation for local communities marine waters zoning and allocation for local communities to use marine culture to use marine culture

Ecological environment and aquatic resources protection Ecological environment and aquatic resources protection such as: resources assessment such as: resources assessment

and fishing mapping; define and fishing mapping; define permissible capture volume for permissible capture volume for marine regions; EIA application marine regions; EIA application for fisheries projects and for fisheries projects and established MPAs system with established MPAs system with 15 MPA sites;…and release the 15 MPA sites;…and release the breed aquatic resources.breed aquatic resources.

Promoting…Promoting…

A national guidline for implementing small-A national guidline for implementing small-scale fisheries co-management developed scale fisheries co-management developed with support of SEAFDEC and it includes with support of SEAFDEC and it includes fisheries right in coastal areas as a core fisheries right in coastal areas as a core legislation for implementing fisheries co-legislation for implementing fisheries co-management. The Vietnamese models for management. The Vietnamese models for adaptive fisheries co-management have adaptive fisheries co-management have been developing by The Capture Fisheries been developing by The Capture Fisheries Management Component (DANIDA).Management Component (DANIDA).

The strategic directions and detail The strategic directions and detail targets for marine capture development targets for marine capture development

towards year 2020towards year 2020 Sustain the current marine capture Sustain the current marine capture

production at about 1.8 million tons;production at about 1.8 million tons; Reduce the by-catch rate in every fishing Reduce the by-catch rate in every fishing

nets;nets; Apply advanced post-harvesting Apply advanced post-harvesting

technology and promote the technology and promote the biotechnology application in disease biotechnology application in disease treatment and increase the value-added treatment and increase the value-added of fisheries products;of fisheries products;

Promote the marine aquaculture, firstly Promote the marine aquaculture, firstly around the islands, in estuarine and around the islands, in estuarine and coastal areas, as well as gradually to coastal areas, as well as gradually to expand to the offshore areas culture;expand to the offshore areas culture;

The strategic The strategic directions…directions…

Re-organize and Re-organize and strengthen the service strengthen the service system for marine system for marine capture;capture; Promote the Promote the establishment and establishment and management for marine management for marine protected areas (MPAs) protected areas (MPAs) in order to secure in order to secure important important habitats/ecosystems and habitats/ecosystems and protect marine protect marine biodiversity as biodiversity as “ecological capital” for “ecological capital” for sustainable fisheries sustainable fisheries development;development; Diversify the new Diversify the new alternative livelihoods for alternative livelihoods for local communities living local communities living in and around the MPA in and around the MPA sites such as recreational sites such as recreational fishing, adaptive fishing, adaptive aquaculture, etc.aquaculture, etc.

Strategic Strategic directions…directions…

Improve Improve international international cooperation in cooperation in both research both research and investment and investment for effectively for effectively and and sustainablely sustainablely marine fisheries marine fisheries development in development in the global era.the global era.

Strategic Strategic directions…directions…

Promote the Promote the community right-community right-based co-based co-management management application in application in small-scale small-scale fisheries fisheries management, management, especially for especially for nearshore and nearshore and island capture island capture fisher fisher communities. communities.

Community-based co-manageme

nt

Thank you very much for your Thank you very much for your attention!attention!

For the bright future of regional and national fisheries!