The total output topped 2.86 million tonnes, up 4.4 per cent from a year earlier with a 3.4 per cent increase in farming yield and a 5.5 per cent rise in fishing operation. — Photo vietfish

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Viet Nam's aquatic production and seafood catch picked up in the first half of 2014 despite complicated developments in the East Sea, the Directorate of Fisheries said yesterday.

In that period, the total output topped 2.86 million tonnes, up 4.4 per cent from a year earlier with a 3.4 per cent increase in farming yield and a 5.5 per cent rise in fishing operation, statistics showed.

Giving these details at a conference, the directorate reported that good weather plus stable fuel and seafood prices facilitated fishing activities.

However, the sector's performance has been affected by tensions in the East Sea, triggered by China's illegal placement of the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, as well as the intimidation and damage to Vietnamese fishermen's properties by its escort vessels.

The agency has worked with authorities of littoral provinces to update fishermen on developments in the waters, legal regulations, and measures to avoid risks at sea, it said. At the same time, by strictly following the farming schedule, diseases on grown aquatic products were curbed and the productivity was kept stable, reports added.

For the rest of the year, the directorate planned to step up supervision over the observance of shrimp and tra fish farming regulations, disease prevention, and the quality of fry and animal feed.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam said the agency should push up trade promotion in key and new markets while working harder on negotiations on bilateral cooperation in order to remove trade barriers to drive exports. wharfs for vessels to take shelter as the storm season is approaching. — VNS