Aquatic catch, aquaculture output enjoy growth in first quarter

Harvesting shrimps at a farm in the northern province of Quang Ninh (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam posted growth in both aquatic catch and aquaculture output in the first quarter of 2018, partly thanks to good weather, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

In the first three months, aquatic catch was estimated at about 775,800 tonnes, up 4 percent year on year. The volume includes 740,800 tonnes of seafood and 35,000 tonnes fished in freshwater, respectively rises of 4 percent and 2.9 percent.

Notably, more than 6,400 tonnes of oceanic tuna, a major foreign currency earner, were caught by Khanh Hoa, Binh Dinh and Phu Yen – the three key provinces in tuna fishing.

Meanwhile, aquaculture output was about 611,000 tonnes, up 6 percent from a year earlier, said the MARD.

About 230,200 tonnes of tra fish, a key aquaculture product, was produced in the Mekong Delta from January to March, up 5.1 percent year on year. 

Brackish water shrimp farming enjoyed more favourable weather conditions than the same period last year, resulting in high production. Output nationwide was about 82,500 tonnes, increasing by 7.6 percent.

The MARD also said through March, aquatic exports reached 1.7 billion USD, up 11.5 percent annually. 

Imports of aquatic products hit 423 million USD in the three months, a 32.4 percent year-on-year increase.