The Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Bac Lieu province, Vietnam, in collaboration with the Bac Lieu city People’s Committee, organized an event to release over 6 million shrimp fry into the sea. This initiative aims to rejuvenate marine life while fostering public consciousness regarding the preservation of aquatic resources. The event coincided with the 65th traditional day of Vietnam’s fisheries sector.

Strengthened Awareness and Control Measures

Deputy Director Pham Van Muoi of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development highlighted the improved awareness among local residents, particularly fishermen, regarding the importance of safeguarding aquatic ecosystems. He attributed this positive shift to effective communication campaigns involving various sectors of the community. Muoi also underscored the province’s successful efforts in curbing the use of prohibited fishing gear, which pose threats to aquatic biodiversity.

Over the past five years, Bac Lieu province has demonstrated its commitment to replenishing aquatic resources by releasing nearly 40 million black tiger shrimp fry, along with substantial quantities of fingerling fish and adult fish, into natural habitats. Notably, in 2023 alone, the province released over 10 million shrimp fry into the sea and two tonnes of fish into inland water areas, contributing significantly to the regeneration of aquatic ecosystems.

Bac Lieu’s Aspiration: A National Shrimp Industry Hub

With a vision to emerge as a premier hub for the shrimp industry at the national level, Bac Lieu province has set ambitious targets. Last year, the province exceeded expectations by exporting nearly 96,900 tonnes of aquatic products, marking a 17% increase compared to the previous year. This not only surpassed export targets but also yielded an export revenue exceeding USD 1 billion, representing an uptick of 17%.