The information was released at the signing of a long-term cooperation memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Hanoi on December 17.

The MoU cooperation seeks to help Vietnamese tra fish earn the Aquatic Stewardship Council (ASC) certified credit label that will bring added value and market access for the product.

Under the MoU, WWF will take responsibility for promoting ASC certified Vietnamese tra fish globally in order to help fish farmers earn premium value for their product.

Accordingly, preparations for the work are planned to be completed in the first half of 2011, including the organisation of seminars and training courses for fish farmers and processors, to create a consensus among them in applying ASC standards.

WWF will also take responsibility for seeking financing sources to support Vietnam in the process of attaining ASC certification.

The Vietnamese Fisheries Directorate and WWF also set a goal of attaining relevant international sustainable development standards for 25 percent of Vietnam’s export tra volume in 2011 and 2012, with 10 percent to be certified by ASC.

Vietnam exports 650,000 tonnes of tra fish a year and will annually ship about 800,000 tonnes abroad in the next five years.

Until 2015 Vietnam will have 100 percent of export tra fish achieving international standards on sustainable development, with half being certified by ASC.