Vietnam and Norway discussed the potential for cooperation in aquaculture and processing and the import and export of fisheries products at a recent seminar in Hanoi.

The two countries focused on fair and sustainable development in their fisheries sectors amid increasing global challenges, particularly from climate change, State Secretary of Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Erling Rimestad told the “Norway - Vietnam: Cooperation Opportunities in Aquaculture and Seafood” seminar.

Technological innovation will play an important role in ensuring success, he said.

Director General of the Fisheries General Department Tran Dinh Luan introduced the priorities for Vietnam’s fisheries sector in the time to come, especially the shift from a traditional aquaculture model to one on an industrial scale, focusing more on product quality and environmental protection.

“Vietnam has made important achievements in aquaculture technologies and techniques, and is now shifting to aquaculture on an industrial scale, which is more sustainable from both the social and economic perspectives given the protection of natural resources and the environment, and will meet the strict requirements of consumption markets,” he said.

Vietnam recorded total aquaculture output of 717,000 tons in 2022, a year-on-year increase of 10.7 per cent.

It has set a target of developing its aquaculture industry to reach advanced standards with modern management methods and earning revenue of over $4 billion by 2045.