The Vietnam-Russia Joint Committee for Fisheries convened the 5th session in Hanoi on October 31, agreeing to give priority to cooperation in aquaculture development.

The two sides will prepare for joint programmes on researching fishery resources in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone, applying advanced technology in fishing and aquaculture, piloting the farming of Russia’s seaweed in Vietnam’s seas, and training personnel.

Drafts of the cooperation activities will be finalised at meetings between the two countries’ scientists and experts next April and May.

Additionally, Vietnam and Russia will consider providing each other with genetic materials from their respective tilapia and salmon and exchange experience in farming these two fish species.

During the session, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam spoke highly of Russia’s assistance to Vietnam in personnel training and capacity building as well as in raising cold water fish, especially sturgeons.

Tam, who chairs the joint committee’s Vietnamese sub-committee, expressed his hope that the committee will maintain regular meetings in the coming time.-VNA