Stronger actions urged to reduce plastic waste in aquaculture sector
Experts and researchers gathered at a national conference held in the central city of Da Nang on October 20 to discuss measures to reduce ocean debris from aquaculture activities.
Vietnam is discharging some 0.28-0.73 tonnes of plastic waste to the ocean. (Photo: VNA)
Da Nang (VNA) – Experts and researchers gathered at a nationalconference held in the central city of Da Nang on October 20 to discuss measuresto reduce ocean debris from aquaculture activities.
At the event, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Develoment(MARD)’s Directorate of Fisheries and the International Union for Conservationof Nature (IUCN) in Vietnam, Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung from the MARD said thatVietnam is among the worst polluters of this kind, discharging some 0.28-0.73tonnes of plastic waste to the ocean.
Plastic waste has caused negative impact on the habitat of marine creatures,she said, adding there will be more plastic waste in the sea than fish by 2050if no effective interference happens.
The conference delivered a detailed report on environmental pollution in 11 protectedmarine areas, providing important statistics to shape up programmes to reduceplastic waste pollution in the aquaculture sector.
Experts discussed several recommendations on applying the “polluter pays” principleand initiative to cut plastic waste pollution, as well as listened toexperience sharing from the Cu Lao Cham Marine Park.
Also, they suggested the Directorate of Fisheries to pen documents guidinglocalities nationwide to better manage plastic waste, build specific standardsfor aquaculture activities, organise annual forums to share experience ofrelevant parties, provide training and enhance communication work in the field.
According to the UN Environment Programme, 400 million tonnes of plastic are producedin the world each year, and some 12 billion tonnes of plastic waste will bedischarged into the environment by 2050. In the next three decades, around 99percent of seabirds will eat plastic, and over 600 marine species will be indanger because of plastic waste./.
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Vietnam is discharging some 0.28-0.73 tonnes of plastic waste to the ocean. (Photo: VNA) 
