Safe solutions, climate change adaptation for aquaculture and seafood export

Aquaculture area, harvest output and seafood export in the Mekong Delta have increased year by year. This result is thanks to localities having appropriate aquaculture plans; control, treatment, construction of safe farming and processing areas and adaptation to climate change (CC).

High-tech brackish water shrimp farming model developed in coastal areas of Can Tho city.

Impact of climate change

According to the Department of Fisheries (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment - NN&MT), the Mekong Delta is the largest aquaculture production center in the country, accounting for about 95% of pangasius output and 70-80% of shrimp output. Every year, aquaculture activities always receive attention and strong direction from the leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), localities and the active participation of associations, unions, and the efforts of fishermen and businesses, so the implementation results have met and exceeded the set plan. Typically, in 2024, the Mekong Delta will have a total brackish water shrimp farming area of ​​749,800 hectares, an increase of 1.7% over the same period in 2023; the harvested output is 1,290,500 tons (an increase of 15.3% over the same period in 2023); The whole year's export turnover reached 3.95 billion USD (up 14% compared to 2023). In particular, the strongest export markets are the United States, China and some EU countries...

However, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, the Mekong Delta is facing increasing risks due to the impacts of climate change, especially saline intrusion, coastal erosion and freshwater depletion. In particular, the challenges from climate change affecting aquaculture and fisheries in the Mekong Delta are quite serious. Rising temperatures, extreme weather, rising sea levels and ozone depletion are affecting aquaculture and fisheries. These phenomena increase production costs, reduce productivity and product quality, and threaten the livelihoods of millions of people in coastal areas.

In addition, pressure from the international market requires sustainability certification and eco-labels; large markets such as the EU, the US, and Japan are increasingly placing stricter requirements on the sustainability of the supply chain. Seafood exporting enterprises need to meet standards such as ASC, BAP, Global GAP, and eco-labels. In addition, regulations on traceability, carbon emission reduction, and environmental friendliness are becoming prerequisites to maintain and expand market share...

“The 2020 Law on Environmental Protection, together with related decrees and circulars, clearly defines the responsibilities of enterprises in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting the ozone layer, and participating in the carbon market. Vietnam has also committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 at COP26, requiring all sectors, including seafood, to accelerate the green transition. The application of green production and climate-friendly processing technologies not only helps enterprises comply with regulations and improve competitiveness, but also plays a key role in protecting the ozone layer, saving energy, and responding to climate change in a sustainable manner,” said Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam, General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers.

In Can Tho City, since the beginning of the year, the Fisheries sector has implemented many solutions to develop aquaculture and protect aquatic resources, adapting to climate change. The locality regularly conducts environmental monitoring to provide timely recommendations to farmers, issuing 7,560 certificates of registration for aquaculture in cages and rafts, key aquaculture species; 32 food safety certificates for aquaculture areas. Implementing the management of fishing vessels and fishing logistics facilities; managing fisheries activities, propagating and mobilizing people to commit not to violate the profession, using prohibited fishing gear in fishing; managing and monitoring fishing vessels illegally exploiting seafood in foreign waters...

In the first 7 months of 2025, the city had a total aquaculture area of ​​64,339 hectares, an increase of 4.51% over the same period in 2023. The total harvested aquatic product output is estimated at 362,133 tons, an increase of 7.66% over the previous year... The city's Fisheries Department continues to support people and businesses to develop safe and effective aquaculture in the last months of 2025.

Focus on response

Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam said: “In the context of the global increasing emphasis on environmental and sustainable development criteria, green transformation in aquaculture and seafood processing for export is no longer an option, but a prerequisite to maintain and develop the seafood export market. Enterprises that do not meet environmental requirements, carbon emissions, or lack transparency in the supply chain will face major barriers when exporting, especially to high-end markets. In fact, enterprises that pioneer in applying green technology, reducing emissions and complying with international regulations will have advantages in trade negotiations, selling prices and expanding market share.”

The Law on Environmental Protection 2020 is an important legal foundation to promote sustainable aquaculture development, while guiding activities to adapt to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect the ozone layer and build a carbon market in Vietnam. To implement the Law, Decree No. 06/2022/ND-CP was issued to detail activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect the ozone layer, manage controlled substances and implement measures in accordance with Vietnam's international commitments. Circular No. 01/2022/TT-BTNMT provides specific guidance on technical contents such as the list of controlled substances, requirements for greenhouse gas inventories by industry and sector, monitoring techniques, measurement, reporting and emission appraisal, etc.

To fulfill the commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the Government also provides detailed regulations on the responsibility for periodic reporting of enterprises using refrigerants, the list and limits of use of substances controlled according to their global warming potential, and technical guidelines on the collection, storage, reuse and treatment of used refrigerants. The documents also emphasize the obligation to transform technology and green transformation in seafood production and processing.

However, the current difficulties in the transformation process of enterprises and fishermen are high investment costs, lack of capital and difficulty in accessing green finance; lack of specialized technical personnel, and unsynchronized regulations. Some enterprises are confused in determining responsibilities and the transformation roadmap. The lack of clear incentives on tax, customs, credit... for environmentally friendly technology makes many enterprises hesitant to invest and wait for more specific policies.

At a recent workshop on the current situation and response to climate change in Vietnam, Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam commented: “Converting to green farming and processing, using refrigeration systems and processing lines that are friendly to the ozone layer and climate not only helps businesses comply with domestic legal regulations and international commitments, but also creates a competitive advantage in the global market, especially in countries with strict standards such as the EU, the US, Japan and Korea. At the same time, green conversion also brings clear economic efficiency, from reducing operating costs to enhancing brand and product value.”

However, according to Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam, the transformation process also comes with many challenges, requiring support from the State, industry organizations and the international community in terms of policy, finance, training and technology transfer. Specialized units and state management need to coordinate, support businesses to cooperate and innovate in transforming production, aquaculture and seafood processing to apply green industry, making good use of transformation opportunities, thereby contributing to the goal of sustainable aquaculture development, environmental protection and effective response to climate change.

Article and photos: HA VAN

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/giai-phap-an-toan-thich-ung-bien-doi-khi-hau-cho-nuoi-trong-xuat-khau-thuy-san-a190238.html