Vietnam and a number of other countries shared their experience indeveloping fisheries cooperatives at a seminar in the central coastalcity of Da Nang on June 15.

The event wasco-organised by the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance, the InternationalCooperative Fisheries Organisation (ICFO) and countries that havesubstantial fishing fleets.

Opening the seminar, ICFOPresident Lee Jong Koo, the event offers a forum for discussion ofplans to develop fisheries and raises the awareness of the existingregulations.

The seminar also discussed ways ofdealing with challenges and difficulties facing the fishing industry tomaintain sustainable development, he said.

Accordingto ICFO, fishing cooperatives are making a big effort to raise theirsocial position and protect the interests of fishermen on the basis ofself-reliance, democracy and equality.

The globalfishing industry is currently coping with a wide range of problems suchas pollution, increasing oil prices, the rapid depletion of naturalresources and global warming.

In that context, theorganisation has called on fishing cooperatives to work closely witheach other to tackle the ongoing challenges.

With acoastal line over 3,200 km long, Vietnam is perfectly situated tohave a thriving maritime economy, especially fisheries.

In 2011, the country’s total aquatic product output reached 5.3million tonnes with the export turnover exceeding 6.1 billion USD. Thesector also employs nearly 5 million people.

Over thepast decade, Vietnam ’s seafood output has recorded an annualaverage increase of 3.8 percent and the country harbours over 25,200fishing boats.-VNA