Directive No. 01/2004/CT-BTS on Strengthening the Management of Whiteleg Shrimp in Vietnam

DIRECTIVE
On Strengthening the Management of Whiteleg Shrimp in Vietnam

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Currently, activities related to breeding and commercial farming of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei or Penaeus vannamei) are taking place in many localities such as Quang Ninh, Ha Tinh, Phu Yen, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau... Based on the synthesis of information about the development of this species in the world and Vietnam, it can be seen that whiteleg shrimp is easy to farm, has high productivity, and currently has competitive prices but often suffers from diseases common to black tiger shrimp, in addition, it can also suffer from Taura syndrome causing large-scale epidemics and potentially infecting other shrimp species, thereby causing serious damage to aquaculture production and natural environment. Some countries with strong whiteleg shrimp farming industries like China have limited farming areas, while others such as Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Australia have restricted farming, some countries like the Philippines and Malaysia have banned farming, and Thailand has developed farming to high yields but now prohibits imports.

Pursuant to the Ordinance on Protection and Development of Aquatic Resources, to ensure sustainable development requirements when introducing new promising species for farming, avoiding negative impacts on the production of other farmed species as well as on whiteleg shrimp itself and protecting the ecological environment, the Minister of Fisheries issues the following directive:

1. Organizations and individuals importing whiteleg shrimp must strictly comply with Decision No. 18/2002/QÐ-BTS dated June 3, 2002 of the Minister of Fisheries on the issuance of the Regulation on Testing of Aquatic Seedlings, Feed, Medicines, Chemicals, and Biological Preparations Used in Aquaculture. Before importing, they must provide complete contracts for testing with the competent authority, specifying the location, scale, duration of testing, and must isolate parent shrimp and seedling batches at separate locations to conduct strict quarantine inspections before conducting tests.

2. Do not produce whiteleg shrimp seeds at black tiger shrimp hatcheries and other shrimp hatcheries; Only permitted to farm whiteleg shrimp in isolated areas to ensure that it does not spread diseases to other farmed species and protect the ecological environment. Organizations and individuals involved in the production of whiteleg shrimp seeds and commercial farming must be supervised by the National Center for Quality Control, Food Safety, and Aquatic Animal Health (NAFIQAVED) regarding disease prevention and control, and must bear the costs of quarantine and eradication of pathogens.

3. The National Center for Quality Control, Food Safety, and Aquatic Animal Health shall implement a system of inspection and supervision of quarantine compliance, develop plans for disease prevention and control; Strengthen inspection and supervision of testing activities.

4. The National Center for Quality Control, Food Safety, and Aquatic Animal Health shall take the lead in summarizing the results of testing and trials conducted by all companies and units that have been granted permission for testing according to Decision No. 18/2002/QÐ-BTS dated June 3, 2002 of the Minister of Fisheries to propose effective management solutions for whiteleg shrimp farming in Vietnam, providing comprehensive information on the impact of whiteleg shrimp farming on resources, biodiversity, and proposing quarantine and preventive measures against disease spread.

5. The Department of Science and Technology shall direct Institutes, Research Centers, and Information Centers of the Ministry to collect domestic and international information on whiteleg shrimp farming, establish a scientific basis for the long-term prospects and potential risks of developing whiteleg shrimp farming in Vietnam.

6. The Institute of Aquaculture I, II, and the Research Center for Aquaculture III shall continue to complete assigned research tasks on whiteleg shrimp, effectively carry out whiteleg shrimp farming trials in regions within their designated scope, and promptly establish standards for parent shrimp quality, seedling quality, and breeding farm quality for whiteleg shrimp.

7. The Department of Aquaculture shall summarize the management work and current status of whiteleg shrimp seed production and commercial farming in localities throughout the country. Evaluate the economic and social benefits of whiteleg shrimp production in provinces. Propose management directions to prevent disease outbreaks and infection of other farmed species.

8. Departments of Fisheries and Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development responsible for fisheries management shall implement and report on the implementation of this directive of the Minister of Fisheries. Develop reports evaluating the advantages, disadvantages, and risks of developing whiteleg shrimp farming in the locality. Direct local functional agencies to carry out inspection and supervision activities in seed production, commercial farming, and testing according to their level of authority and directly guide technical operations by the National Center for Quality Control, Food Safety, and Aquatic Animal Health.

9. The Department of Planning and Finance shall include annual and emergency budget plans for implementing this directive; Review existing documents on the import and export of new species, and propose relevant content to ensure the safe importation of whiteleg shrimp into Vietnam.

Request the units named above to immediately implement this Directive and submit reports on assigned tasks to the Ministry of Fisheries (National Center for Quality Control, Food Safety, and Aquatic Animal Health) by February 15, 2004.