Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food production systems in the world, and its rapid expansion has not come without impacts. Reducing the sector's footprint on sensitive natural areas requires a transformation in how seafood is produced. In the Greater Mekong region, WWF is helping to get this transformation under way.
One of the aquaculture "stars" that has received a surge in demand is pangasius fish. In 2012, more than 90% of world exports of pangasius was sourced from Vietnam. In 2011, Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached USD1.85 billion representing 1% of GDP.
But the industry (and also that of shrimp) is thriving in some of the landscapes that WWF has identified as conservation priorities:
But the industry (and also that of shrimp) is thriving in some of the landscapes that WWF has identified as conservation priorities:
- Mekong Delta
- Kratie to Siphandone River
- Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Bolikhamsay, Khammeun
What we are doing
For the aquaculture to reduce its environmental impact, it needs to adopt better management practices. This is why we promote certification compliant to the Pangasius Aquaculture Dialogue/ASC standards, and we have already notched some successes in that direction for pangasius in Vietnam.