WWF to send official to Vietnam over catfish row

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) global seafood coordinator, Mark Powell, will visit Vietnam next week, according to the WWF Vietnam.

In addition, WWF Vietnam has received a list of questions and the results of assessing tra and basa fish. This information has been transferred to the Directorate of Fisheries and the VASEP.

WWF Vietnam agreed on the Directorate of Fisheries’ recommendation that the WWF should remove Vietnam’s tra and basa fish from the Red List in their 2010-2011 consumer guidance manual while waiting for the results of the WWF assessment. Future assessments should also be carried out with the participation of all related parties.

Although WWF Vietnam is not involved in assessing Vietnam’s tra and basa fish, it said it should be responsible for participating in resolving the issue.

Earlier, in the 2010-2011 guidance manual on Vietnam’s tra fish for European consumers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway and Demark, several WWF member organizations have moved Vietnam’s tra fish products from the Orange List (Products that can be considered for use) to the Red List (Products should not be used).

This information has been opposed by tra fish breeders and related seafood agencies in Vietnam as it lacks scientific foundation.

vietnamnet, VNA

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