Vietnam and Philippines sign fishery co-operation deal

Vietnam and the Philippines will work together to co-opeate on aquaculture projects, providing assistance for fishermen on sea and conducting search and rescue activities under a bilateral fishery co-operation agreement.

The agreement was signed in Hanoi on June 28 by Deputy Minister of Vietnam Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam and Undersecretary of the Philippines Foreign Affairs Rafael E. Seguis.

The two ASEAN member countries have establised ties in most areas of co-operation, including agriculture, Deputy Minister Tam said, adding that the Philippines is among Vietnam’s stable rice importers.

The two countries share similarities in aquaculture development. The Philippines also has experience in community-based fishery management and has conducted successful research on growing and processing seaweed, according to Tam.

However, Tam said, in this co-operation, the two countries only share information and management experience within the multilateral framework of regional organisations like ASEAN and SEAFDEC.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis stressed the necessity of bilateral co-operation in the fishery sector, particularly in sharing information, developing aquaculture and fighting against illegal fishing.

Deputy Minister Tam said the signing of the agreement manifested the two sides’ aspiration and determination to strengthen co-operation for the mutual benefit of fishermen.in both countries.