Implementing partner: WWF Vietnam
Country: Vietnam
Species: shrimp (3,300 MT)
Target volume: 4,300 MT/year (2 large-scale farms producing 780 MT, 30 farmer groups of small-scale farms producing 3,520 MT)
Target: Better Management Practices (BMP’s) and ASC
Project duration: April 2014 to March 2016
Project summary
This project is designed within the context of increasing global seafood demand. Although increasing demand provides significant incentives for producing countries, environmental and social issues have been often neglected. In recent years, seafood consumers and retailers have been increasingly demanding seafood products that have been produced addressing environmental and social sustainability issues. However, the small-scale farmers have difficulties in meeting market requirements and gaining market access.
The project promotes the transition of at least 26 farmer groups/cooperatives towards responsible shrimp production by applying Better Management Practices and of at least 2 large scale-farms and 4 farmer groups/cooperatives by applying ASC certification. Furthermore it supports the establishment of sustainable supply chains by linking small- and large-scale farmers who have information of market demands, techniques and finance (horizontal links) with service providers, processors and seafood buyers (vertical links), providing benefits and reducing vulnerabilities for shrimp farmers, especially for small-scale shrimp farmers in the Soc Trang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau provinces in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.
The goal of this project is to further increase Vietnam’s and WWF’s efforts to protect and conserve the country’s life-supporting resources by transforming the shrimp industry towards environmental and social sustainability using efficient market mechanisms that create value across the chain.
Other partners participating in this project are WWF Denmark, Department of agriculture and rural development of Ca Mau, Aquaculture and Agriculture Extension Centre of Bac Lieu, Department of Aquaculture of Soc Trang province, Utxi Aquatic Products Processing Corporation in Soc Trang province, QuocViet seaproducts Processing Trading and Import – Export Co, Ltd. in Ca Mau provinces, Farmer groups/ cooperatives in Soc Trang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau provinces, Can Tho University, Research Institute of Aquaculture No1 and No2 (RIA 1/ RIA 2) and VINAFIS
Statements
“Thanks to ASC, shrimp aquaculture farms have to be responsible with regard to the environment, biodiversity and communities. Shrimp aquaculture farms that have obtained ASC contribute to the development of a sustainable aquaculture sector. The focus of ASC certification has satisfied the demand of consumers. UtXi Seafood processing Enterprise has approached the market with great advantage thanks to ASC certification, in particular the European market. In addition, ASC contributes to the improvement of the natural environment and living conditions of aquaculture workers and rural communities.”
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Nha, Deputy General Director, Utxi Aquatic Products Processing Corporation
Contact details:
Tinh HuynQuoc
Email: tinh.huynhquoc@wwfgreatermekong.org